Wanderer Scotland 2025
May 17 - May 19
Free – £41.00
Wanderer Scotland – Tighnabruaich Sat 16 – Mon 19th May
Tighnabruaich Sailing School, Carry Farm, Tighnabruaich PA21 2AH
Join for us three days sailing in probably the best dinghy cruising locations in the British Isles. Last year, we had three days of glorious sunshine with gentle breezes making for perfect dinghy cruising conditions.
The Sailing School is situated on the Kyles of Bute at Carry Farm on the remote Ardlamont peninsula four miles south of Tighnabruaich. The Kyles which surround the Isle of Bute separating it from the mainland are one of the most scenic areas in Scotland.
Sailing Plans
Each day depending on the weather we plan sailing to a beach for a picnic lunch.
Rubha Dudh a remote beach on the Isle of Bute
From Carry Farm, we can sail in three different directions:
- North up the West Kyle to Tighnabruaich to the secret harbour at Caladh and then up Loch Riddon or alternatively down the East Kyle to Burnt Isles and the isolated beach at Wreck Bay.
- Round Ardlamont Point to remote beaches on the shores of Loch Fyne accessible only by water with breathtaking views of the Isle of Arann and its mountains. With Loch Fyne being over four miles wide and eight miles of water separating us from Isle of Arann, this is a real sea sailing experience.
- South along the Isle Bute Shore past the beach at Ettrick Bay, which has a cafe to St Ninan’s Bay or the uninhabited Isle of Inchmarnock, which lies a mile off Bute. We might see seals, whilst sailing
For a short day we could sail to the pub at Kames or stop Tighnabruaich where they are pubs and cafes.
The Sailing School will be providing safety boat cover for us of each of the three days and sailing advice if needed. Last year their help and little knowledge proved invaluable in running the event.
Carry Farm
Situated on the shores of the West Kyle, the 66 acre, Carry Farm offers camping, space for camper vans and four holiday lodges, all overlooking the sea. The farm has its own beach where you can brave the Scottish water warmed by the Gulf Stream and go for an early morning dip. There are also showers and laundry facilities.
Camping at Carry Farm
The farm’s animals include rare Hebridean sheep, goats, donkeys and hens. You may see Red Squirrels in the woods, oystercatchers and eider ducks on the shore, and butterflies in the wildflower rich grassland.
The farm has a café and craft gallery
Staying at Carry Farm
Camping is £15 per person per night
There is also space for camper vans.
The Lodges (book early) are £540 for three days
To book contact the farm direct https://www.carryfarm.co.uk
Other accommodation in the area
There is also accommodation nearby at Kames, Tighnabruaich and Portavadie Marina
Tighnabruaich
Tighnabruaich grew up as a select resort for the wealthy of Glasgow with large Victorian villas lining the shore. Up till 1960s when the road from the west was built, the steamer was the main means of getting to the village. PSS Waverley still regularly visits the village. There are palm trees in the gardens.
Other activities in the area
The walk along the shoreside single-track road to Kames is very pleasant. From Tighnabruaich you can walk east along the shore for several miles through woods. Other walks in the area tend to be rougher. Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute is well worth visiting. Benmore Botanic Gardens with their giant redwoods are within driving distance. Portavadie Marina has a spa and swimming pool. From Portavadie, you can catch the ferry to Tarbet.
Evening Plans
Each evening, we plan to go to a local pub or restaurant or even a barbecue on the beach
Getting to Tighnabruaich
Whilst Tighnabruaich is a long way from anywhere, it is well worth the drive. Whichever way you come the last part of the drive is very scenic. You can either catch the ferry across the Clyde from Gourock (the return ticket is about half price if you buy it in advance through the Western Ferries website) or travel along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond round the head of Loch Long on A83 over the Rest and Be Thankful Pass and down the Cowal Peninsula.
Alternatively, you can catch the Calmac ferry from Wemyss Bay to the Isle of Bute and then the Colintraive ferry back to the mainland. For any members who lives on Kintyre there is the Portavadie ferry.
Bookings:
The price for the event is
£41 per day per boat and
£20.50 for boat storage on Friday night
The price helps us cover the cost of providing safety boat cover for the weekend
For further info alasdairsimpson2@gmail.com
To book your boat entry and make payment use the WCOA website below choosing tickets for the days you will attend as well as the Event Participation Ticket. Please let alasdairsimpson2@gmail.com know you are coming.
You MUST include the free EVENT PARTICIPATION ticket with the necessary declarations completed.
The relevant documents can be accessed here:
- WCOA EVENT RISK STATEMENT DECLARATION
- DATA PROTECTION and USE OF IMAGES of YOU and YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TAKING PART
- MEDICAL INFORMATION AND IMPAIRMENTS
- WCOA Safer Cruising Guidelines
