This article describes some day-sails which are possible using a base — Arduaine — located 19 miles south of Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. It may be of interest to those who wish to progress from lake sailing to sea sailing, or those who do not yet know the west coast of Scotland, or both! Although the emphasis in the article is on day-sailing, I’m sure that the day-sailor in these waters will soon be tempted to anchor overnight in one of the many anchorages available. To wake up on a calm morning, with nosy seals popping up around the boat, can be a magical experience, and the removal of the necessity to return to base each day gives a much more leisurely feel to the sailing.

The waters around Arduaine are ideal for the day-sailer, and the screen of islands to the west gives protection from most of the weather, ensuring that big seas do not build up. In Shuna Sound, Loch Shuna, Loch Melfort and Seil Sound the tidal flows are small, and the range is generally less than three metres. This is the area which is described in Section A — ‘Day-sails not dependent upon tides’. Outside this area the tidal flows can be considerable, and these tides have to be taken into account when planning a day-sail. Section B covers this area, and describes ‘Day-sails dependent upon tides’.

SECTION A — Day-sails not dependent upon tides

1. Out in Loch Shuna to see the seals on Eilean Creagach, the little island halfway to Shuna; a morning sail. (2 miles)

2. Round Shuna: an afternoon sail. (9 miles)

3. Into Loch Melfort, possibly to do some shopping at Kilmelford. (10 miles)

4. To Ardinamir. When you land here you will probably meet Irene McLaughlan, who has been keeping a register of visiting yachts since 1949, and who will ask you to sign her visitor’s book. (7 miles)

5. To Balvicar Bay and Clachan Bridge. The sound beyond Balvicar Bay leads to Clachan Bridge, the ‘Bridge Over The Atlantic’, where there is an hotel and petrol station. Watch for the tidal swirls as you pass the end of Cuan Sound. (15 miles)

6. To Craobh Harbour, and the islands just south of the harbour. You can land at the pontoons without charge, and send your crew shopping for supplies whilst you inspect the (rather!) larger vessels. (5 miles)

SECTION B — Day-sails dependent upon tides

1. Through Cuan Sound on the flood tide (east to west), to Easdale, where there is an excellent museum, which shows the history of the flooded quarries on the island. Back through Cuan Sound on the ebb. (14 miles)

2. Round the southern tip of Luing, then up the Sound of Luing on the flood, past Fladda light, and on to Easdale. Return on the ebb through Cuan Sound. (20 miles)

3. As 2 above, but anti-clockwise!. Through Cuan Sound on the flood, and back down the Sound of Luing on the ebb. You may wish to land on Lunga, in the bay on the east side, and walk to the southern tip of Lunga to view the tidal flow through the gap between Lunga and Scarba — the Little Corryvreckan, or ‘Grey Dogs’. (20 miles)

4. Through Cuan Sound on the flood, call at Easdale, then continue round Seil to Puilladobhrain. Go ashore here whilst waiting for high water, and walk over the hill to the hotel at Clachan Bridge for refreshment! At two hours before HW Oban the tide flows south for two hours under Clachan Bridge, and there is sufficient water in the northern part of Seil Sound to row the short distance to the bridge, where there is plenty of clearance for dinghy and small boat masts. Continue south from the bridge down Seil Sound. (21 miles)

5. South on the ebb, through the Dorus Mòr (ebb sets west to east), and across to Crinan, to view the end of the Crinan Canal. Back on the flood through the Dorus Mor. (23 miles)

6. As 5 above, but visiting Loch Craignish instead of Crinan.

7. Through Cuan Sound on the flood, then over to the Garvellachs, and return either through Cuan Sound or down the Sound of Luing on the ebb. This is a long day-sail, which needs settled weather, but the ruins on the southern island and bird life (eagles!) on the cliffs of the northern island make it well worthwhile. (26 miles)

You will need two charts for the area:

2326 Loch Crinan to the Firth of Lorne 2386 Firth of Lorne — Southern Part.

In addition, the Clyde Cruising Club publication Sailing Directions and Anchorages, Part 2, Kintyre to Ardnamurchan is essential. OS map no. 55 covers nearly all the area.

There is a small camping & caravan site adjacent to the beach at Arduaine (telephone 08522 288), with a small stone jetty, and launching is possible for dinghies over the beach (I have launched my Drascombe Lugger there). Alternatively, there is a slip at Craobh harbour, and another at the boatyard at the head of Loch Melfort. As for getting there, the approach from Glasgow can be via Crianlarich and Oban, but I prefer the Loch Lomond—Inverary—Lochgilphead route. I will be pleased to give further information to anyone wishing to explore this area.