Our Sailing Area

The Firth of Clyde

Whether you’re cruising or mileage building, with us for just a weekend or a full week, the Firth of Clyde is a wonderful place to sail, it has some of the most beautiful scenery from the splendour of Goat Fell on Arran to the picturesque Kyles of Bute. From Campbeltown and Ayr in the South to Arrochar, Inverary and Rhu in the North, there are towns, villages, marinas, harbours and bays just waiting to be visited.

The peninsula of land called the Mull of Kintyre, which extends to within 10 miles of the tip of Ireland, provides natural shelter to the sea lochs and islands of the Clyde, and ensures that even when the wind is strong, the seas never really build to any great size. The islands of Arran (known as Scotland in Miniature), Bute and Great Cumbrae & Little Cumbrae are beautiful to sail round, great to visit and explore, and also provide safe harbours and bays to anchor in whatever the wind direction.

Did we mention the wildlife? The Firth of Clyde is teeming with sealife and birds. From Ailsa Craig, with 40,000 gannets making it the third biggest colony in Britain, and the seal population on the Cumbrae islands, to basking sharks, porpoises and dolphins regularly seen swimming in the waters of the Firth, it’s a wonderful place to get close to nature.

Northern Ireland

Weather permitting during the summer you may get the opportunity to sail to Northern Ireland. The nearest town to sail to is Glenarm, approx 50nm from Ardrossan, whilst Ballycastle on the north coast of Ireland, sheltered by Rathlin Island, is approx 60nm. Finally Bangor, a beautiful holiday town in its own right, and a mere 20mins by train to Belfast is approx 65 miles from Ardrossan. All three towns are worth the long day sail to get there, the Irish hospitality is legendary and it’s true that Guinness tastes better for not having travelled!

The scenery as you approach the Irish coast is wonderful, with Fairhead, on the NE tip of Ireland, spectacular when sunshine reflects off its 120m high basalt columns.

The weather and tidal windows will determine whether these destinations are achievable during your sailing holiday.

The Inner Hebrides

Likewise, during the summer, the skipper may suggest a trip ‘round the corner’ (the Mull of Kintyre) to visit the islands of the Inner (or Lower) Hebrides; Islay, Jura & Gigha. Port Ellen on Islay, Craighouse on Jura and Ardminish Bay on Gigha (the favourite yachting landfalls) are all approx 65nm from Ardrossan. The three islands are all different; Islay is steeped in history, has two small towns; Port Ellen & Bowmore, and several distilleries. Jura is wild and rugged, with most of the island (the Paps) accessible only to hill walkers and deer stalkers. Craighouse has yacht moorings, a shop, distillery and hotel. Gigha is the smallest of the three islands and is owned by the islanders, it has a thriving arts & craft community, beautiful public gardens, shop, hotel and campsite, and can be cycled round (well up and down) in a couple of hours.

Please see our sample itinerary for cruise destinations.