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Sailing in North Ayrshire

Sailing facilities in North Ayrshire are superb, with several first class marinas and plenty of sheltered anchorages. The host of coastal resort towns offer an excellent choice in food and drink for parched and famished sailors, with top quality restaurants, bistros and the very best fish and chips around!

There's a huge range of visitor attractions too, reflecting everything from the area's maritime and Viking heritage, to distilleries, castles and country parks.

Largs Yacht Haven is an ideal starting point for exploring the Firth of Clyde. Offering excellent facilities and services, the site is also home to the Scottish Sailing Institute and the venue for national and international sailing competitions and regattas.
www.yachthavens.com
www.scottishsailinginstitute.com

Largs is a traditional Scottish sea-side resort with plenty of shops, restaurants and historical and cultural attractions. A short stroll from the Marina will take you first to the iconic Pencil Monument which was built in 1912 to commemorate the Battle of Largs in 1263, when the Scots defeated King Haco of Norway's troops. The Pencil is also the setting for the annual fireworks display at the end of the Viking Festival in September. For the full Viking story pop into the Vikingar! Visitor Centre just off the prom, but make sure you call in to Nardini’s on the way, the famous ice cream parlour which first opened its doors in 1890. Just south of the town and close to the marina is Kelburn Castle and Country Centre, a prime visitor destination in the area and ancient home of Earls of Glasgow.

On arrival at Ardrossan, you’ll find Clyde Marina has all the services you’ll need, and Cecchini’s Italian Bar-Bistro and Restaurant overlooking the Marina is a much welcome sight for tired yachtsmen! Enjoy a stroll along the beautiful award-winning beaches or wander up to Ardrossan Castle which sits in a prominent position above the town. Playing a key role during the Scottish-English wars in the 13th and 14th centuries, it’s said to be haunted by ghost of William Wallace who wanders the ruins on stormy nights!
www.clydemarina.com

A key location for the transit of boats across the Clyde Estuary, The Isle of Arran has much to offer boat users. Arran is often referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’. With a beautiful coastline of charming villages and quiet beaches, Arran features a diversity of landscapes - rugged and mountainous in the north, with green rolling hills and woodland in the south. Arran is a popular family holiday destination, abundant in wildlife and superb for walking, cycling, golf and other outdoor pursuits. Isle of Arran Events

Lochranza is the most northerly village on the Isle of Arran, made all the more accessible for visiting yachts recently with the construction of a pontoon, complete with disabled hoist and access bridge. The imposing grey ruin of Lochranza Castle dates back to 1200s, where Robert the Bruce is said to have landed in 1306. Lochranza Hotel is a welcome site for parched and famished sailors. With a comfy lounge bar offering home cooked food, it also has one of Scotland’s most extensive malt whisky collections. A visit to Arran Distillery in Lochranza is a must or pop next door to see Arran Cheese in the making at the Visitor Centre.

Brodick offers the best selection of services on the Isle of Arran, with plenty of cafes, shops and hotels to choose from. There are lots of visitor attractions, including the beautiful Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Next door to Brodick Castle is Arran Brewery where you can watch beer in the making via the viewing gallery in the Visitor Centre and taste some samples too. At the Home Farm you can try the best seafood around at Creelers Restaurant, see cheesemakers at work in the Island Cheese Company or take home a few gifts from Arran Aromatics, Scotland’s leading producer of soap, body care products and fragranced candles. For an insight into the social history, archaeology and geology of the island, try Arran Heritage Museum.Or if you’d rather spend the rest of the day doing something energetic, venture up Goatfell - at 2866 ft it’s highest peak on Arran offering spectacular views.

Lamlash is the largest settlement on Arran and is the island’s true capital. A pretty village with Victorian charm, Lamlash offers many places to eat and drink along the seafront. The bay is a sheltered natural harbour and is a haven for sailors. Divers like it too thanks to the Derwent shipwreck dating back to 1830. The Holy Island lies a mile off the coast from Lamlash, rising 1000ft out of the sea. The site of an early Christian monastery, it’s now home to a Buddhist Community promoting environment, peace and spirituality. For a taste of Arran, pop into Paterson Arran Kitchen Shop for the full range of Arran Fine Foods including mustard, chutney, preserves and marmalade.

The Isle of Cumbrae has a coastline of just over 10 miles, and yet this small island has its fair share of historical, cultural and leisure attractions. Check out the Cathedral of the Isles, the smallest cathedral in Europe, the Museum of the Cumbraes in Garrison House and the Robertson Museum & Aquarium with sea life exhibitions and a collection of animal species from the Clyde. There’s also Scotland’s National Watersports Centre and several sites of geographical interest such as the famous Crocodile Rock. The main town of Millport is a favourite day-trip destination for many Scots holidaymakers, and has plenty of shops, cafes, bars, an excellent hotel at the pier head and the best fish and chip shop around!

Key events on Cumbrae
28 - 30 August 2009, Millport Country & Western Festival
14 - 26 September 2009, Millport Song Cycle, Greater Cumbrae

The idyllic island of Sanda lies 13 miles off the coast of Kintyre and offers a safe anchorage for yachts. A mere 400 acres in size, Sanda is privately owned with just three permanent residents. Its pub, the Byron Darnton Tavern is a firm favourite with sailors, thanks to its hearty, home cooked meals and selection of real ales, fine wines and whiskies. With wildlife galore, the island is also home to one of Scotland’s four bird observatories. The ancient ruins of St Ninian’s Chapel and Ship Lighthouse are also worth a visit.