Find adventure from the depths of Scotland’s sparkling aquamarine waters to the soaring summits of its breathtaking peaks with our Guide to Sailing Scotland.
Exploring its natural wonders or its manmade icons; delving into its storied history or diving with its giants; draining a dram or drinking in the sunset – whatever you’re looking for, there’s a marina or anchorage that’s the ideal base to find it all.
Check out some short snippets of our Guide to Sailing Scotland below or head to YouTube to see the full videos for all the info and inspiration you need to book a charter, plan a cruise to new destinations, relocate your vessel to Scotland or simply plan to spend more time on the water.
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A Guide to Sailing Campbeltown
Campbeltown Marina is a new facility and is situated in the town centre at the head of the deep, sheltered waters of Campbeltown Loch on the south-eastern aspect of the Kintyre Peninsula. It is within easy reach of the Antrim Coast, Ayrshire and the Upper Clyde. Campbeltown is the perfect getaway destination with plenty to offer the whole family. Golf, cycling, and walking routes, modern swimming pool and horse riding facilities are just some of the activities on offer. There’s also is a wide choice of shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and supermarkets within easy walking distance.
A Guide to Sailing Inverness
Inverness Marina, NMU Small Coastal Marina of the Year 2018, lies seven miles south west of Chanonry Point in the Inverness Firth and just one mile from the city centre of Inverness. The marina sits close to the eastern entrance of the Caledonian Canal, making it an ideal location for yachts to be based with easy access to both the Scottish north east coast and via the canal to the popular Scottish west coast.
Scotland’s east coast is home to a population of around 200 bottlenose dolphins, their range centred around the inner Moray Firth, where a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has been designated for their protection. The waters around Inverness contain important habitat for these dolphins and provide one of the best watching opportunities in the world.
A Guide to Sailing the Caledonian Canal
Considered by many as one of the greatest waterways of the world, sailing the majestic Caledonian Canal is an unforgettable experience. Scotland’s longest inland waterway, the 60-mile Caledonian links Scotland’s east and west coasts and was built to provide a shortcut between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding the hazardous waters of the Pentland Firth and Cape Wrath. Today, it is increasingly popular with boaters from Scandinavia and Northern Europe on their way to the west coast.
With short stretches of man-made canal linking scenic lochs, the canal boasts some incredible sailing. Whether you’re following in the footsteps of the Gods at Neptune’s Staircase, the longest lock flight in Scotland; sailing through the shadow of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK; or myth hunting on the waters of iconic Loch Ness, the Caledonian offers a boating experience unlike any other in the world.
A Guide to Sailing Kip Marina
An ideal marina for exploring all Scotland has to offer, Kip boasts a huge range of amenities and facilities – including 600 all-tide berths! The berths are available 24 hours a day seven days a week for vessels up to 24m with a maximum draft of 3.5 metres and are serviced with 240v power and fresh water points. The pontoons and wide water access channels make life very straight forward for manoeuvring your vessel within the marina or exploring further afield.
A Guide to Sailing Mallaig
Mallaig is one of the most picturesque villages on the rugged North West coastline of Scotland, and is ideally placed for sailing to the Small Isles, Knoydart, Skye and the Hebrides and North West Scotland. Its pontoons are a short walk from the centre of the village and there is ample local parking as well as rail links to Glasgow and Oban. Fresh water, electricity and wi-fi are all available at the pontoons while toilets, showers and a small laundry are housed in the adjacent shore facilities. Engineering, welding and electronic services are available locally as are a chandlery and fuel.
A Guide to Sailing Oban
Home to marinas ideal for exploring all Argyll and Scotland’s west coast has to offer, Oban is within easy reach of the Antrim Coast, Ayrshire and the upper Clyde and boasts a huge range of amenities – and more than a few distilleries!
A Guide to Sailing Plockton
Why should pay a visit to Plockton, “The Jewel of the Highlands”, on your next adventure sailing Scotland? It’s an ideal marina for exploring Skye and northwest Scotland, and Plockton might just be one of the prettiest berths in the world!
A Guide to Sailing Port Edgar
Located on the Firth of Forth, between the iconic Road and Rail Bridges and the new Queensferry Crossing, Port Edgar is a vibrant marina and an ideal base for exploring the spectacular scenery, historic harbours and interesting islands of the Firth and East coast – all just 30 minutes from Edinburgh!
A Guide to Sailing Puilladobrhain Bay
Discover why you should pay a visit to Puilladobrhain Bay in Argyll on your next adventure sailing Scotland! Just seven nautical miles from Oban and within easy reach of the Antrim Coast, Ayrshire and the upper Clyde, Puilladobrhain Bay is an ideal berth to escape to.
A Guide to Sailing Stromness
Stromness is a picturesque and bustling small town, shaped by the sea. Yards from the historic harbour, the winding streets lead to a range of eateries, local craft shops and galleries.
Stromness is the perfect place from which to visit the sites of the west mainland of Orkney, especially the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site – a group of Neolithic monuments including Skara Brae, the best preserved group of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. A truly special place. Also nearby, there are a spectacular ten mile coastal walk, two highly acclaimed breweries, bird reserves, brown trout fishing lochs and several villages with shops, tearooms and craft studios.
