THE LOCA L PILOT
Barra
The favoured approach to Barra for boats coming from the south is to cross the Sea of the Hebrides, with many stopping over at Canna Harbour to wait for suitable weather.
The uneven bottom of this stretch of water exacerbates the risk of rough seas; almost double the wave height can be encountered in any given wind speed. In good conditions the passage is straightforward with welllit and marked hazards, making a night passage a viable option. Once Barra and the location of Castlebay have been determined, locate the south cardinal Bo Vich Chuan buoy (Q(6)+FL.15S,2.3M E of Sgeir a Scape) and line up the leading line of Sgeir Dubh (Q(3)G.6S) light beacon onto Sgeir Liath (283°) before passing between the port and starboard hand marks of Sgeir A Scape and Castlebay South. Continue between Sgeir Dubh and Channel Rock (Fl. WR.6S) beacons before entering Castlebay itself through the final pair of port and starboard buoys of Sgeir Na Treanne and Castlebay Inner. Take care not to cut the corner round Orosay’s east shore too fine to avoid off-lying rocks as the pier, anchorage, and marina pontoons come clearly into view against the backdrop of
the village.
Marine Facilities
There is only one marina on Barra at Castlebay. There used to be visitor moorings in the bay but these have now gone. Visiting yachts are still allowed to anchor, although make sure to stay out of the way of the ferry turning area. There are also anchorages south of Castlebay at Vatersay Bay. More remote anchorages can be found in the north east of Barra at North Bay, Sgeirislum, Bay Hirivagh and Inner Oitir Mhor, which is also referred to in guides as Ferry Terminal in the bay just west of Lamalum. Little shelter is offered on the west coast of Barra and Vatersay.
castlebay Marina, barra
Recently opened, the new Castlebay Marina offers a total of 32 pontoon berths, 28 for visitors, each with access to power, fresh water, Wi-fi, waste recycling, toilets, showers and laundry facilities. Tel: 079300 44479
There are also marine facilities further up the Long Island chain at Lochboisdale Harbour, South Uist This harbour provides 40 visitor pontoon berths with facilities including water, showers, power, Wi-fi, and a crane. www.lochboisdaleharbour.com, VHF Ch 80, Tel: 01878 700 830
Day sails eriskay
Linked by a causeway to South Uist and by a ferry to Barra, Eriskay is well served by the safe harbour of Acairseid Mhor on the eastern shore. Follow the buoyage, transit and perches into this delightful haven where there is a pontoon and visitor moorings. The Am Politician pub and Post Office are a pleasant 1.5 mile walk away.
sound of barra
Between the islands of Barra and Eriskay lies the rock-strewn and shallow Sound of Barra. Any passage of it requires a significant amount of navigational attention. It is well buoyed and charted and has a series of transits and shore marks. Once traversed, the nearest good anchorages are the Monach Islands some 30 miles north, or double that to St Kilda. The west coasts of Barra and Vatersay offer little shelter but make an enjoyable circumnavigation.
canna
For those wanting a longer day sail Canna awaits across the Sea of the Hebrides. Conditions permitting, this is a straight 35-mile passage ending at a sheltered anchorage with visitor moorings. The island hosts a shop, Post Office, café, community shop and even a public satellite telephone box.
chartering
Isle of Skye Yachts, www. skyeyachts.co.uk; 01471 844216. Alba Sailing, 01631 565630; www.alba-sailing.co.uk
charts and guides:
Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions and Anchorages
– Outer Hebrides, edited by Edward Mason, 2nd edition (Imray, £32.50)
The Yachtsman’s Pilot: Skye and Northwest Scotland by Martin Lawrence, 3rd edition (Imray, £27.50)
Antares Charts: Charts on a USB memory stick sent to a UK address, £14.99; www.antarescharts.co.uk Admiralty charts SC5616, 1795, 1796, 2208, 2635, 2769, 2770. Imray Charts C65, C66.