East Coast of Scotland
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The East Coast of Scotland has much to offer yachtsmen, be they visitors en route to other cruising areas or sailors who keep their boat in one of the increasing number of marinas or harbour facilities. Until recently the East Coast perhaps had a tendency to be seen as ‘the missing link’ in a potential circumnavigation of Britain, but recent developments mean that it is now as well served as any part of the Scottish (or indeed, British) coastline. The completion of this missing link has resulted in many new marina facilities between the border at Berwick and as far north as Wick. Many of these marinas are within former fishing harbours, and whilst some may be smaller than others they all offer a warm welcome. Furthermore, many of the ‘unconverted’ fishing harbours are now only too pleased to welcome visiting yachts, meaning that the choice of destination is no longer automatic and a variety of passages may be planned.
The popularity of Scotland as a cruising ground for continental boat owners, particularly those wishing to follow the path of Bjorn Larsson and sail 'The Celtic Ring', has meant that many visiting boats will now call in to some of the East Coast destinations enroute to either the Caledonian Canal or the Pentland Firth. As some of the facilities are smaller than others it is therefore advisable to check in advance whether or not a berth is likely to be available.
Starting in the south, the first pontoon facility can be found at Eyemouth. Once a busy fishing harbour, it is now an increasingly common sight to see visiting yachts lying alongside. Port Edgar is still the main marina facility on this stretch of coast, from where it is possible to cruise the Firth of Forth to destinations such as the new marina at Anstruther on the Fife coast, or further east around Bass Rock. Port Edgar also hosts a busy sailing school operated by Edinburgh Leisure, and offers the full range of RYA sailing courses. The marina is well suited as a temporary home for visitors from the continent who may wish to leave their boat for a few weeks whilst they fly back home from the nearby airport. There are further pontoon facilities available at Granton which are ideally suited for an excursion into the city centre.
Further north beyond Anstruther and the Fife peninsula, pontoon facilities are also available at Tayport near to the mouth of the River Tay, and a short distance across the estuary there is now a marina facility at Arbroath. North of this is the longest stretch of ‘pontoon free’ coastline, the next facility being at Peterhead Marina some 60 miles further north. However, this does not mean that there is nowhere to stop as Aberdeenshire Council now encourages yachts to visit many of its harbours along the coast. Some of these are ideally located for exploring Royal Deeside, whilst others offer a range of shops and restaurants in which to relax.
Turning westwards into the Moray Firth the choice of destinations significantly increases. Both Banff and Lossiemouth boast new marina facilities, complimenting that at Whitehills and the pontoons in the picturesque harbour of Findochty (page 52). This stretch of coastline is a popular dolphin watching area, and most crews will be accompanied by dolphins riding the bow wave for at least a short distance.
Vessels heading for the Caledonian Canal will head up the Firth into Inverness, passing under the Kessock Bridge en route – note that the bridge has a clearance of just under 90’, sufficient for most but not necessarily all yachts, and that the Canal is usually closed for two hours either side of low water during normal operating hours. Inverness Marina is a new, fully serviced 150 berth marina located outside the canal entrance on the south side of the Firth, with access available at all states of the tide. This, together with a 75 berth marina at Seaport just inside the canal makes an excellent base for exploring the city of Inverness, or a point for arranging crew changeovers, taking advantage of excellent road, rail and air links.
Boats which are heading on up the coast to Orkney or beyond need not venture up the Firth, but may instead head directly from Lossiemouth to Helmsdale where there are pontoon facilities. Alternatively, the passage may be extended as far as Wick where there is a new marina, which has even more new facilities planned for 2010 and plenty of shelter to be had inside the old harbour. This is the final stopping point before rounding Duncansby Head, where the choice is then whether to head west along Scotland’s northern coastline, northwards to Orkney and Shetland, or north east to Scandinavia. The four main marina operators between Inverness and Shetland have grouped together to create the Viking Trail to encourage greater use of the new facilities and open up cruising routes to the northern isles. Full details are available at www.sailnorthscotland.com
Whilst the East Coast may be seen as a cruising route to some sailors, for others it represents their home waters and as a result there many activities which take place during the summer months. One of the best known is the Moray Firth Flotilla which usually takes place in lateJune. Participating boats work their way down the Moray Firth from Wick to Portsoy, with the intention being to arrive at Portsoy in time for the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (26-27 June). As with much of the East Coast, this event offers a wonderful combination of new and old amidst a traditional fishing harbour, further complimented by excellent food and entertainment.
The East Coast also hosts a number of club and visitor regattas during the season, with the main focal point being Port Edgar on the Firth of Forth, about 5 miles west of Edinburgh city centre. One of the clubs largest event is the Port Edgar Yacht Club/Lands of Loyal Regatta, which usually takes place during the third weekend of September (www.peyc.org.uk). The event attracts boats from the Moray Firth, Tayport and England as well as some boats which are brought over from the Firth of Clyde. The weekend event is then followed by an autumn and winter series.
