Where we sail
Skipper Dave Monro talks about the many options for sailing routes and destinations from Oban.
"Dunstaffnage is an ideal start point for exploring one of the best sailing areas in the world. There is a perfect balance of sheltered but fascinating sounds and passages protected by islands to more exposed and sometimes challenging passages. Day sailing from Dunstaffnage, the sails are up immediately and options include heading south for lunch at the Puffer Restaurant on Easdale Island or anchoring to watch White Tailed Sea Eagles."
"A week aboard is best approached with objectives in mind but flexibility in terms of how to get there – sailing is the art of working with the forces of nature to get where you want to go as easily as possible. We work with the wind and tide. A weeks sailing could easily take us north to Loch Aline, Tobermory and to the `small isles` of Rhum, Eigg, Canna and Muck, the West Coast of Mull via Staffa and Iona, exploring the beautiful anchorages of rock and sand on Mulls south coast before returning to base. Or South to Jura and Islay, taking in the Corryvreckan and Oronsay. If you want to cover more distance then a passage to Barra opens up another world of white sand beaches and perfect anchorages, perhaps returning via Loch Scavaig, carved into the Cuillins of Skye, particularly if you want access straight into the mountains."
"Our longer duration trips really allow us to build a custom sailing experience based on your interests whether that is incorporating longer offshore passages, wildlife watching, walking and mountaineering or incorporating a Hebridean music festival. If you would like to include plenty hillwalking then I can recommend Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula, An Sgurr on Eigg and sailing north through the Sound of Sleet to Loch Torridon."
"A cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Kilda brings with it opportunities for fantastic sailing, heading north from Mull to Canna to position the yacht for a leg to Vatersay to anchor off the beach in striking distance for the sail to St Kilda, where weather dependent the following day one of Europes largest seabird colonies and the islands fascinating history can be explored. Then its back to North Uist and options on the eastern side of the Outer Hebrides or perhaps a passage south to Tiree or Iona."
"In general a fixed itinerary may be difficult in the unpredictable weather of our Atlantic coast and adapting to and working with the conditions is an essential skill here. But I love objectives – so give me yours and I will happily find the best way to achieve them. I`m equally happy to lead you on the best sailing adventure and work the wind and take you to my favorite sailing waters, Islands and Lochs."
