Islay, Colonsay, West coast of Jura

Introduction

Times of high water

Port Askaig: High water is half an hour before Oban at springs and an hour and ten minutes before at neaps.

Port Ellen: Tidal curves are unusual in this region, but the time of high water here is around 50 minutes before high water Oban at springs and 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water Oban at neaps.

Loch Indaal: High water is 40 minutes before high water at Oban

Porthnahaven: High water is 55 minutes before high water at Oban

Scalasaig, Colonsay: High water is 12 minutes before high water at Oban

Loch Tarbert: High water is 12 minutes before high water at Oban

Tidal streams

Sound of Jura, West of Gigha: The south south-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Oban. The north north-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 0.6 knots at springs.

At Otter Rock: Otter Rock is 2.5 miles south of Texa. The east going stream begins at 1 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Oban. The west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Oban.

East of Texa: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Oban. The south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Oban.

Off Texa: The tidal streams split, one running NE towards Ardmore, the other towards the Oa.

West of Texa: The north-east going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Oban. The south-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Oban.

Mull of Oa: The south-east going stream begins at 40 minutes before high water at Oban. The north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Overfalls form.

Rinns Point and Orsay: The east south-east going stream begins at 40 minutes before high water at Oban. The west north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 8 knots at springs. Some of the worst overfalls in the UK form west south west of Orsay, made worse by an underwater cliff.

To the west of Sgeirean Dubha: The tide flows north and south. The flow reaches a speed of 8 knots at springs.

Eddy to north of Rhinns of Islay: An eddy forms to the north east of Rubha Na Faing on the north-going stream.

Sound of Islay: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Oban. The south going stream begins at 1 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Eddies inshore.

Narrows of Loch Tarbert: Cumhann Mor: The east going stream begins at 6 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Oban. The west going stream begins at 10 minutes before high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

Narrows of Loch Tarbert: Cumhain Bhig: The east going stream begins at 6 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Oban. The west going stream begins at 10 minutes before high water at Oban. The flow reaches a speed of 8 knots at springs.

South east coast of Colonsay*: Off the south-east side of Colonsay and Oronsay, the streams are weak. Near the coast, the streams remain weak, running north-east and south-west. Times of slack water are not known, and may be irregular.

North west coast of Colonsay*: Near the land, the streams are weak and set NE and SW in the direction of the coast, with times not known. 1 mile off the north-west side of the islands, the streams are rotary, reaching 1 knot at springs, beginning to set (times relative to HW Oban) NW@ -5:00, NE @ -2:00, SE@ +1:00 and SW@ +4:00. Eddies may form off the north-east point of Colonsay.

Notes

Access/Egress

Aros Bay: (NR 465 519) g It may be possible to park on the grass close to the beach.

Port Ellen: (NR 364 454) g Launch at the picnic site between the road and the beach. It should be possible to leave a vehicle considerately parked nearby.

Bowmore: (NR 311 599) g Slipway into the harbour, with some parking on the street. It may be better to launch from quieter spots on the north shore of the Loch.

West of Blackrock: (NR 288 633) g Some pull offs from the road here - parking on grass, easy access to the beach.

Bruichladdich: (NR 265 610) g Small parking area by the shore just north of the sailing club.

Port Charlotte: (NR 254 583) g Small beach by the pier. It may be possible to leave a car here, or perhaps better to park it in the car park near the museum a short walk away.

Portnahaven: (NR 166 520) g There is a steep slip in the centre of the village where boats could be dropped, but no obvious parking nearby. A better option may be the recycling area to the south west from where a narrow road leads to a slipway. Strong tides run across the entrance to the bay.

Machir Bay: (NR 208 634) g Parking area at the end of the road, short carry down to the beach, perhaps a bit over 200 m to the water.

Loch Gruinart: (NR 294 690) g Small pull off the road. Access to the water here should be possible at most states of the tide.

Bunnahabhain: (NR 420 733) g Slipway and small gravel area just outside the distillery entrance.

Port Askaig: (NR 431 693) g Small harbour. Parking available the other side of the ferry queue.

Feolin Ferry: (NR 440 692) g Parking and easy access to the water.

Scalasaig: (NR 395 941) g Launch in the drying harbour. Limited parking by the ferry queue.

Suggested trips

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