PASSAGE PLANNER

St Kilda and back

Taransay to St Kilda is a 50-mile passage, due west.

The return passage to Berneray is a similar distance. A reasonably gentle tidal flow runs in a northerly and southerly direction, so the effect on your course is negligible over a 10-hour sail. The most important factor is the weather – this is a very exposed piece of water with frequent high seas.

The anchorage at Village Bay is in 5-6m off the pier below the church, with good holding on hard sand. It is sheltered from N to W winds, but very open from NE-E-S.

There is always some swell except during extended periods of calm. There is no other viable anchorage; Glen Bay, on the opposite side of the island, is subject to accelerated gusts of wind and is very deep and rocky. Conditions can change rapidly. If you are caught out there is no option but to head back to the Outer Hebrides, whatever the conditions or time of day.

The Atlantic coast of the Outer Hebrides has little shelter and in heavy weather conditions becomes dangerous in passages between

the islands. This means that the necessary weather window is not just for the

50 miles getting to St Kilda, but also for the time spent there and a safe return passage. If conditions deteriorate make for Loch Roag on the west coast of Lewis.

The islands can be seen from over 20 miles in good visibility, but at night the only lights are the leading lights with a range of 3 miles. There can be a strong tide rip across the mouth of Village Bay, creating overfalls in the channel between Levenish and Dun.

Cope Passage through the Sound of Harris is not recommended without GPS or local knowledge. The alternative route via Stanton Channel is deeper and well marked but tides can run strongly in some sections (4 knots at springs).

PUBLICATIONS

Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions Outer Hebrides, edited by Edward Mason, 2nd edition (Imray, £32.50); Imray charts C66, C67, C80 Admiralty chart 2721