Ayr: High water is 25 minutes before high water at Greenock. Tidal streams in Ayr bay are insignificant.
Troon: High water is 25 minutes before high water at Greenock
Irvine: High water is 15 minutes before high water at Greenock. Tidal streams in Irvine Bay are insignificant.
Ardrossan: High water is 10 minutes before high water at Greenock
Millport, Cumbrae: High water is 15 minutes before high water at Greenock
Largs: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Inverkip: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Greenock: Is a standard port.
Port Glasgow: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Greenock
River Clyde, Glasgow: High water is 20 minutes after high water at Greenock
Gareloch: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Loch Long: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Arrochar: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Lochgoilhead: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Holy Loch: High water is at high water at Greenock. Streams in the Loch are not perceptible.
East Kyle of Bute: High water is 15 minutes before high water at Greenock
Rothesay Bay: High water is 19 minutes before high water at Greenock Low water is 4 minutes before low water Greenock.
Tighnabruaich: High water is 3 minutes after high water at Greenock Low water here is 14 minutes before low water at Greenock.
Inveraray, Upper Loch Fyne: High water is 11 minutes after high water at Greenock
Lower Loch Fyne: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Greenock. Tidal streams are not significant,
East Loch Tarbert: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock. Tidal streams are weak within the Loch.
Loch Ranza, Arran: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Greenock
Brodick Bay: High water is at high water at Greenock. Streams within the Bay are weak.
Lamlash: High water is at high water at Greenock
Campbeltown: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Greenock. Tidal streams are weak and irregular.
Between Little Cumbrae and the Mainland: The north north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Greenock. The south south-west going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Greenock. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 0.4 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.7 knots at springs.
Fairlie Roads: Between Great Cumbrae and Hunterston Construction Yard: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south-west going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Greenock. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.1 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.4 knots at springs.
The Tan: In the channel between Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae, the stream runs east-north east from 3 hours before high water at Greenock until high water at Greenock. The stream runs west-south west from 1 hour after until 5 hours after high water at Greenock.
Between Little Cumbrae and Bute: The north north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Greenock. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 0.7 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
Between Great Cumbrae and Toward Point: The streams are weak and variable, less than half a knot.
Firth of Clyde, Between Toward Point and Cloch Point: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south south-west going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The flow is faster at Skelmorlie Bank (a shallows 2 miles east of Toward Point) and to the east of the shipping channel between Wemyss Point and Cloch Point.
Between Gourock and Kilcreggan: The east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Greenock. The west going stream begins at 45 minutes after high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 0.6 knots at springs.
Off Greenock, entrance to River Channel: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Greenock. The north-west going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Greenock.
River Clyde by Port Glasgow: The east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Greenock. The west going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Greenock. The streams are not strong, but wind against tide can cause choppy conditions here.
River Clyde, Glasgow: The east south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Greenock. The west north-west going stream begins at 55 minutes after high water at Greenock.
Rhu Narrows, Gareloch: At the narrows between Rhu and Roaneath: The south-east going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Greenock. The north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.7 knots at springs. Flow within Gareloch is not significant.
Loch Long entrance: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Greenock. The south going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Greenock. The flow decreases north of the entrance.
Upper Loch Long and Loch Goil: Tidal streams at the entrance to Loch Long can reach up to 0.75 knots, but they decrease up the Loch. In upper Loch Long and Loch Goil the streams are not significant.
South of Garroch Head: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 25 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south going stream begins at 35 minutes before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs. Overfalls can occur on the south-going stream.
Rothesay Sound: In Rothesay Sound, the area between Bogany Point, Toward Quay and Port Bannatyne: Weak streams
Loch Striven: Streams are weak within the Loch.
East Kyle of Bute: The streams are weak at the south east end of the Kyle, increasing in strength towards the north west.
East Kyle of Bute: The flood streams flowing around the West and East Kyles of Bute usually meet around 1.5 miles east of the Burnt Islands near the church at Altgaltraig, although the exact position varies. Stream in the East Kyle are generally less than 1 knot away from the Burnt Isles.
Burnt Islands: In the north (middle) channel between the Islands: The east going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Greenock. The west going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. In the south channel between the Islands and Bute, the maximum speed is 3 knots. The timing of the streams may be affected by metrological conditions, making them hard to predict. The flows can be avoided by staying close to the Bute shore.
Loch Riddon: Streams in the Loch are weak.
Rubha Ban Narrows, West Kyle of Bute: At the narrows by the point of Rubha Ban: The tide flows north-east and south-west. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Elsewhere in the Kyle, the streams are less than 1 knot.
West Kyle of Bute, up to Rubha Dubh: The tide flows south south-east and north north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
Inchmarnock Sound: The tide flows south south-east and north north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs.
Narrows of Loch Fyne, Oitir Spit: The north-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Greenock. The south-west going stream begins at at high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. Near the beacon on the Spit, the flow may reach 2 knots.
Inchmarnock Water: In the east part of Inchmarnock Water, between Arran and Inchmarnock, tidal streams are weak and less than a quarter of a knot. The streams remain weak up to Ardlamont Point.
Skipness Point: The tide flows north-east and south-west. The stream from the Kilbrannan Sound sets around the point into Loch Fyne.
Between Holy Island and Clauchlands Point: The east north-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Greenock. The west south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Greenock. In Lamlash Bay, the streams are weak except near the west coast of Holy Island.
Kingscross Point, Arran: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs.
South and east of Pladda: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south-west going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at Greenock. A race can from south and south west of Pladda.
Sound of Pladda: The east going stream begins at 3 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Greenock. The west going stream begins at 2 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs.
South coast of Arran: Between Cleiteadh Mor (Cleats Shore) and Pladda, the flow runs east continuously.
Kilbrannan Sound, Halfway between Ru Stafnish and Arran: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Greenock. The south going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 0.6 knots at springs.
Kilbrannan Sound: Tidal streams are weak. In the narrowest parts of the sound: The north-east going stream begins at 4 hours after high water at Greenock. The south-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs.
Erins Bank: [tide]The Erins Bank is an area of shallows in the Kilbrannan Sound around a mile west of the Burial Ground at Whitefarland on Arran. A heavy overfall may form here on the south-going stream.
Eilean Carrach: Overfalls occur around the point and also south of Carradale point to the south.
East side of Island Davaar, Campbeltown Loch: The tide flows south and north. The south going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Overfalls may form on the south east point of the Island during the outgoing stream from Campbeltown Loch.
Troon Harbour: Monitor VHF channel 14 if in the vicinity of Troon harbour entrance. A very quick flashing light at the end of the west pier indicates that a ferry will soon leave the harbour.
Ardrossan Harbour: The harbour office may be contacted on VHF channel 12.
River Clyde Navigation: Peelports Estuary Radio may be contacted on VHF channel 12. See the 'Clyde Navigation Guide'. Leisure craft should report on VHF 12 when they pass: Garvel Point, Dunglass Castle (just west of Bowling), the confluence with White Cart Water at Clydebank.
Gareloch: The whole of Gareloch comes under the jurisdiction of the Queen's Harbourmaster (QHM), and restrictions may be in force from Rosneath Point northwards when nuclear submarines are operating. QHM may be contacted on VHF channel 73. For more information, including detail of the signals used to indicate that restrictions are in force see the 'Clyde Navigation Guide' and the QHM Clyde page.
North Bute camping site: The North Bute site is part of the Argyll Sea Kayak trail. It is a remote site, situated within a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Maidens Harbour: (NS 210 080) g Slipway. Parking nearby, or in car park 150m south along the road. Charge to use the slipway, £5 according to harbour website.
Maidens Beach: (NS 217 084) g Car park with height restrictor. Short carry down to the beach.
Culzean Bay, Maybole Beach: (NS 243 110) g Car park at ed of road by beach.
Croy Shore Beach: (NS 246 124) g Car park at end of road, by the beach.
Dunure: (NS 254 160) g There is a slipway in the harbour (a charge may be payable), but kayakers may find it equally easy to launch from the beach just to the south of the harbour. There is a small parking area by this beach, but a larger car park 'Anchorage car park' can be found set back from it - follow signs (this car park is visible, but not accessible, from the main road).
Doonfoot west: (NS 317 194) g Car park near the beach. Although the walk across the beach may be shorter here than for the east car park, it does not provide the option of accessing the river.
Doonfoot east: (NS 323 195) g Car park close to beach. It is also possible to access the river to the east from this car park, which may be an easier option at some states of the tide.
Ayr Beach: (NS 329 207) g Huge car park by the beach.
Ayr Esplanade: (NS 331 218) g Various ramps down to the beach. Large car parks just to the north of this location, and parking along the road to the south. However, the Ayr Beach car park just to the south is likely a better option if it is busy.
Ayr, South Harbour: (NS 332 225) g Parking along the harbourside. There is a small slipway between a block of flats and a harbour pier, with concrete steps to one side. It can be slippery, covered in debris and even (apparently) be home to nesting swans, making it less than ideal. Probably a good idea to have a fallback plan...
Ayr north beach: (NS 340 237) g Ramp down to beach next to large roadside parking area.
Prestwick Promenade: (NS 345 254) g Ramp down to beach. Good sized car park.
Prestwick Beach North: (NS 345 266) g Large car park by the beach.
Troon South Beach: (NS 326 299) g Reasonably sized car park near the beach. Walk across the beach may be long at low tide, although likely shorter here than the North Sands.
Troon Port Ronnald: (NS 316 307) g Small car park. The foreshore here is rocky, but the carry may be much shorter at low tide than across the beaches of Troon.
Irvine South Beach: (NS 310 372) g Good sized car park with 150m carry to the sea.
Irvine beach: (NS 304 379) g From the car park, the beaches either side of the breakwater can be accessed. There is more parking in large car parks to the north.
Stevenson Point: (NS 270 401) g Large car park with slipway. The car park is accessed from the north, the approach leaves the main road near a church just south of the railway station.
Saltcoats Harbour: (NS 246 410) g Slipway at the inshore end of the harbour wall. Lots of space near the slipway to unload, parking in a large car park nearby, just across the harbour.
West Kilbride North Shore: (NS 210 457) g Car park with height restrictor, short walk to the beach. There is a second car park to the south, but launching may not be as easy at some states of the tide.
West Kilbride: (NS 199 473) g Large beach car park with height restriction.
Portencross: (NS 177 487) g Car park with height restriction. The foreshore here is rocky - from the southern end of the car park, walk 15 m beyond the gate to find a break in the rocks and a small shingle beach. Alternatively, launching may be easier from a field off the end of the public road (with no access for vehicles), or by the Castle.
Farlie Pier Road: (NS 207 559) g Plenty of parking, short carry to gap in railings near end of the spit, providing access to beach.
Largs Yacht Haven: (NS 208 574) g Car park with public slipway.
Largs seafront: (NS 202 596) g Car park next to the beach.
Largs Aubery Crescent: (NS 199 603) g Parking along the road, which runs beside the beach.
Meigle Bay: (NS 193 655) g Large lay by from which a track leads down to the shore.
Inverkip Bay: (NS 200 718) g Car park at war memorial, from which a ramp leads down to the beach.
Lunderston Bay: (NS 204 746) g Large car park. 100m carry across grassy area to the beach.
Gourock Cove Road: (NS 249 774) g Slipway off public road. Roadside parking nearby.
Port Glasgow Coronation Park: (NS 324 746) g Car park with slipway, usable at all states of the tide.
Port Glasgow Newark Castle : (NS 330 745) g Car park with slipway.
Dumbarton Leven Slipway: (NS 393 754) g Public slipway in Bridge Street car park. More parking across bridge on other side of the river.
Helensburgh: (NS 294 821) g Slipway next to the pier, part of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail. Large car park.
Rosneath: (NS 247 846) g Lay by with ramp down to shore. Alternative parking and launch from lay bys to the south.
Kilcreggan Pier: (NS 242 805) g Parking around the ferry pier. Steps lead down to the rocky foreshore from the pier area, but it is probably easier to access the water from a track running down to it slightly to the east.
Kilcreggan, School Road.: (NS 228 806) g Small lay by by bus stop, near the shore. Alternative launch points from lay bys to the east of here.
Cove: (NS 222 825) g Good sized parking area and picnic site by the Loch.
Letter: (NS 214 867) g Lay by on B833 just south of Coulport. Need to get kayaks over the crash barrier onto the beach.
Finnart: (NS 241 953) g Large pull off the road by the Finnart Oil Terminal. Small ramp at back of the car park, cleared path down to beach.
Arrochar Village Inn: (NN 293 035) g Steps down to the foreshore. Parking area adjacent to the village Inn, just to the west.
Arrochar Community Hall: (NN 297 042) g Break in wall leading to shore near remains of an old pier. Parking at community hall nearby.
Succoth car park, Loch Long: (NN 295 049) g Large car park close to the foreshore. May be a walk to the water at low tide. There is a second car park along the road just east of here.
Lochgoilhead: (NN 200 013) g Car park with slipway. May be a longer carry here at low water.
Corrow: (NN 189 005) g Space to leave a car on the verge near the foreshore.
Carrick Castle: (NS 194 945) g Car park by the Castle. Launch from the grass by the Castle.
Ardentinny Forest: (NS 190 885) g Lots of parking in the Forestry commission car parks by the Loch shore.
Ardentinny: (NS 188 876) g Car park near the church. Launch near here, or at the outdoor centre slipway 150m to the south.
Strone Point: (NS 193 805) g Roadside parking, steps down to the foreshore and a jetty that is covered at high water.
Grahams Point: (NS 175 813) g Parking area by playground and picnic site, a path leads down to the shore of the Loch.
Dunoon Shore Road: (NS 164 804) g Small car park but the foreshore. Slipway nearby.
Dunoon Alexandra Parade: (NS 180 774) g Roadside parking along the Parade. Steps down to foreshore at several places, once of which has a slipway.
Dunoon South: (NS 169 760) g Park in Glenmorag car park. There is a slipway, part of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail, next to the play park just to the north.
South of Bullwood: (NS 160 734) g Large picnic site by the shore of the Loch
Innellan: (NS 158 719) g Small parking area (picnic site) by the shore of the Loch.
North of Toward: (NS 142 693) g Parking area by the sea.
Toward west picnic site: (NS 125 675) g Picnic site, with car park, height restrictor. Launch across rocky beach.
Toward Quay: (NS 110 678) g Ramp at Toward Sailing club, part of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail. Cars can likely be left here or nearby - it may be polite to ask at the club.
North of Port Lamont: (NS 096 704) g The road follows the loch side. There are two small lay bys here.
Brackley Point: (NS 091 740) g Parking on grass at the side of a track leading down to the water. Short carry to the water.
Craigendive: (NS 051 837) g Small lay by near the foreshore.
Bute, Kames Bay: (NS 069 681) g Picnic area with space to park on the north side of the bay.
Bute, Rothesay: (NS 089 647) g Slippery slipway in south west corner of harbour. Parking nearby around the harbour. Entrance to the harbour by water is controlled by a traffic light system.
Bute, Kilchattan Bay Jetty: (NS 103 550) g Recently renovated jetty and picnic area, parking close to the foreshore. If you use this site, please make a contribution to the collection box in the wall of the old weigh bridge office.
Bute, Kilchattan Bay road end: (NS 108 545) g Small car park at end of road. Near rocky beach.
Colintraive: (NS 031 745) g Ferry slipway onto beach - watch out for the ferry and keep out the way! Parking along road to the north.
Bute, Rhubodach: (NS 027 742) g Parking area near the ferry slip. Easier to launch on the beach than attempting to dodge the ferry.
Craig Cottage, Loch Riddon: (NS 004 784) g Small parking area near end of public road by the foreshore.
Caladh Harbour: (NS 004 757) g Public access slipway by some holiday cottages - not known if it is possible to park nearby.
Tighnabruaich: (NR 981 729) g Lifeboat slipway onto beach. Car park 250m to the east.
Kames, Blair's Ferry: (NR 980 699) g Slipway by huge parking area.
Rubha Mor Corrachra: (NR 987 683) g Small roadside parking spot by the foreshore.
Bute, Clate Point: (NS 007 682) g The road passes a bay near its end. Possible to park on the verges here to drop boats, but it may be better to leave them in the small parking area at the end of the public road 300m to the north west.
Bute, Ettrick Bay north: (NS 035 664) g Parking along the track and by the tea room, just by the beach. May be a longer walk at low tide. This location is used by the Women's Scottish Sea Kayak Festival.
Bute, Ettrick Bay south: (NS 043 656) g Parking area by the beach. May be a longer walk across the beach at low tide.
Bute, St Ninian's Bay: (NS 040 619) g Track, sometimes in poor condition, leads down to a parking spot by the beach. It is a long walk across the beach at low tide. At such times, you might consider the slipway at the south east corner of the bay - but do not leave cars near there for any length of time.
Portavadie: (NR 926 698) g Ferry slip - watch out for the ferry and keep out of the way! Parking marked on OS map just to the east, and also likely available in the Marina complex.
Otter Ferry: (NR 930 845) g Parking around the Oystercatcher pub.
Lachlan Bay: (NS 006 950) g Large parking area by the Inver restaurant. Although this is marked as a public car park on the OS map and on local information leaflets, it is probably best to park away from the restaurant. Further parking just to the east by Kilmorie Chapel. Long walk to the water at low tide.
St. Catherines: (NN 121 075) g Pier and beach by a small pull off the road, with space to park a few vehicles. Alternative lay bays a sort walk in either direction.
Inveraray: (NN 097 085) g Car park by pier, small slipway down to the water.
Minard: (NR 978 962) g A small side road leads down to the sea, possibly place to park. Alternative get in just to the north east, a small parking area near a ramp down to the water.
Ardrishaig: (NR 852 857) g Car park by pier and slipway. There is also access to the Crinan canal here at a pontoon past lock 4. Portage trolleys can be borrowed from the office at the sea lock (access also possible just north of the sea lock, but this is further from parking and the canal get out).
Brenfield Bay: (NR 851 824) g Small lay by with track to the foreshore, opposite the Kilfnan View B&B.
Creagan Mor: (NR 849 801) g Small lay by by a stony beach.
Artilligan: (NR 860 767) g Lay by with path leading to foreshore.
Sloc nam Fearna: (NR 863 739) g Two pull offs on the east side of the road just south of the bridge over the Abhainn Strathainn stream. Short carry onto the rocky foreshore.
Tarbert East: (NR 866 690) g Small car park by the access to the pontoons on the north side of the harbour. Launching possible on the pontoons, or on the foreshore. Portage trolleys may be available from the harbour office.
Tarbert Ferry: (NR 871 689) g Limited parking by the ferry slipway. Launch on ferry slipway, or on another slipway nearby.
Skipness: (NR 901 577) g Access to foreshore along road through village and to the west. Limited space to park near bus stop in village - it may be better to leave a car at the woodland car park a few hundred metres along the road to the east, on the left after the church and bridge.
Claonaig: (NR 875 561) g Car park by ferry slip. Launch off beach by the slipway. Watch out for the ferry!
Arran, Catacol: (NR 910 496) g Slipway, with parking along gravel verge.
Arran, Lochranza: (NR 929 509) g There is parking along the road to the east of the ferry slip and small large lay bys to the west. However, launching may be easier (i.e. less likely to get in the way of the ferry...) at a pontoon just to the east of the ferry slip or on another slipway just to the east again. There is space to leave a car near this smaller slipway.
Arran, North Sannox: (NS 015 466) g Forestry commission car park. Short walk across grassy area to river mouth and shore.
Arran, Sannox Bay: (NS 017 454) g Two pull offs from the main road, with access to the shore. Launching at North Sannox may be easier, especially at low tide.
Arran, Brodick beach: (NS 015 361) g Large car park by beach.
Arran Brodick Slipway: (NS 019 360) g Slipway, near the ferry port. Plenty of parking nearby along the seafront.
Arran, Lamlash: (NS 026 307) g Parking areas close to shore at the west end of the bay. Alternative options to the north east.
Arran, Ashdale bridge: (NS 047 254) g Small parking areas both sides of the bridge, with access to the foreshore.
Arran, Kildonan car park: (NS 027 209) g Car park just across the road from the beach.
Arran, Kildonan Hall: (NS 021 210) g Small parking area by beach.
Arran, Blackwaterfoot: (NR 896 281) g Reasonably large car park by river and sea shore.
Arran, Machrie: (NR 891 347) g Large lay by across road from beach.
Arran, Imachar: (NR 865 402) g Small layby by beach. Second layby just to the south.
Arran, Pirnmill forest: (NR 869 430) g Small quiet car park across the road from the beach.
Arran, Pirnmill: (NR 872 441) g Slipway with several small parking areas nearby.
Grogport: (NR 811 446) g May be possible to leave a car by the forestry commission picnic site. Short carry down to the bay.
Carradale Harbour: (NR 819 386) g Slipway at south end of harbour, parking area on the west side by public toilets.
Torrisdale Bay: (NR 798 360) g Small parking area close to the beach.
Saddell Bay: (NR 789 316) g A small road leads down from the main road to the Castle and nearby beach.
Peninver: (NR 759 248) g Track down to beach, parking area nearby.
Campbeltown, Low Askomill Walk: (NR 724 209) g Slipway off Low Askomill Walk by the sailing club. Limited parking where Low Askomill Walk joins the main road just to the west.
Campbeltown North Shore Road: (NR 723 208) g Access to beach by disused pier. Parking along road on George Street close by.
Kilkerran: (NR 727 197) g Roadside parking by a small park and picnic area. Carry across road to foreshore.
Kildalloig: (NR 745 194) g Roadside parking area, gate leading to foreshore. Would be possible to launch to the east in Kildalloig Bay, but there is no closer parking spot.