West Coast of Scotland Meet — 30 August '08

30 August –31 August

Following the highly acclaimed RTYC West Highland Rally in May 2005, and the gathering for dinner at the Crinan Hotel in June 2006, it is proposed that any members who are so minded should meet over the course of a weekend on the West Coast of Scotland at some stage during the summer this year.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND GATHERING – 30 August ‘08

UPDATE – 22^nd August, 2008

For a variety of reasons, it has been decided to change the venue for the dinner on August 30^th.  We will now be dining at The Shower of Herring at the top of Loch Melfort.  Tables have been booked for all those the organiser (Chris Perring) knows are coming.  If there are any others, please contact Chris on 07710 281674 asap.  Moorings are available at Melfort Pier (approx 56º 16’.10N 5º 30’.20W) which is about a 15 minute walk from the restaurant; Chris will make bookings for those yachts he knows are coming.  Members and their guests are cordially invited to join Chris and his crew for drinks aboard Hiltgund near Melfort Pier from 1800.  Dinner will be ashore at 2015.

30 August, 1800-2400

Following the highly acclaimed RTYC West Highland Rally in May 2005, and the gathering for dinner at the Crinan Hotel in June 2006, it was proposed that any members who are so minded should meet over the course of a weekend on the West Coast of Scotland at some stage during the summer this year. 

Several members have indicated interest and availability for the last weekend in August.  A provisional reservation has been made at the Wide Mouthed Frog at Dunstaffnage Marina – a restaurant well known to at least some of us - for dinner on Saturday August 30^th.  Others who might wish to join us should contact Chris Perring asap and not later than Monday August 4^th so we can give the restaurant an indication of how many people are expected.  (Contact details below)

If members wish to make arrangements to cruise in company for a day or two before or after this date, that would be splendid.  Chris Perring expects to be aboard Hiltgund in the general area for a few days in the week before and would be delighted to meet up with others at Port Appin, Loch Aline or perhaps further afield.  We have also invited any members of the RCC whose boats are in the area and who would like to join us to come along for the dinner at Dunstaffnage. 

Dunstaffnage is not far from Oban for rail links and easily accessible by car if there are members who would like to join us for dinner but are unable to come by boat.  There is some accommodation at the marina and much more in the surrounding area for any who wish to stay ashore.

Please also be aware of the very kind invitation to join some or all of the RCC’s rather more elaborate Meet in early August, details of which can be found below.  Chris Perring hopes to be able to join them for the final dinner at Loch Melfort, but at present it looks as if he may be stymied by Hiltgund being trapped at Crinan (for the full story, see - http://blog.mailasail.com/hiltgund/10).  If you are interested in joining the RCC event, please be aware that the deadline set by the organiser has now passed, but it may be possible to overcome this.  Please contact Chris Perring asap. 

Contact details for Chris Perring (event organiser)

Mobile: 07710 281674 – leave a message or send a text if there is no answer – I will call back as soon as I have a signal again!  I will not have access to e-mail until August 4^th.

RCC Scottish Meet

The plan for the 2008 Meet is to foregather at the NE part of Loch Aline on Thursday 7^th August for a roast lamb on a spit BBQ. The party will be in a farm barn kindly provided by the owners of the Ardtornish Estate and will be “midge free and watertight”, both fairly essential on some days on the west coast of Scotland!

Next day there will be two options depending on the weather and the ambitions of the crews.  

The first is to sail up to Loch Drumbuie for a raft up in the evening with a cross deck party. An alternative venue might well be Oitir Mhor Bay on Kerrera, Loch Spelve, or Puilladhobrain. (The latter anchorage may well be too full in August).

The second, weather permitting, and for the more adventurous, is to leave Loch Aline on Thursday morning, sail west of Mull & enjoy a raft up party in Bunessan in the evening.

On Saturday the fleet will meet up again, by various routes, at the Shower of Herring in Loch Melfort for a Buffet supper.  There are several choices for leaving boats in L. Melfort; Kilmelfort Yacht Haven has buoys for hire if booked in advance, as does Melfort Marine. It is possible to anchor off the NE part of L Melfort and an easy walk to the Shower of Herring.

The Meet is so arranged that members and their guests can stay the course, or join, or leave as they so desire.  I shall endeavour to have a car, or cars, for transport from Kilmelfort Yacht Haven to the Shower of Herring.  Other alternatives are Ardfern or Craobh, but you may have to arrange your own transport to supper.  For those only able to come by land, we shall be delighted to welcome you on Saturday evening.

I shall be very pleased to receive members’ intentions with numbers as soon as possible but not later than July, 20^th

Jim Pitts  - RCC                                                                                            

This page last updated 25^th July, 2008.