Drascombe Association Rally Information Sheet

Craobh Haven -24th to 26th May 2008

The rally

A long weekend rally based at Craobh Marinasouth of Oban.. Group sailing will be organised on the Saturday and Sunday. Members wishing to come without a boat should contact the organiser as are there are likely to be spaces for extra crew. The itineraries will be decided on the day depending on weather and tides. The circumnavigation of Shuna or exploration of Loch Melfort or voyaging south to Achanarnich Bayare not strongly tide-dependant but sailing north through Clachan Sound, or through Cuan Sound to Easdale are.The tides this weekend are not favourable for passing through Cuan. Monday is free sailing for those staying on.The West Coast cruise will start from Craobh on the Tuesday. A group evening meal in the Lord of the Isles at Craobh (under new management, again) on Saturday is planned. Jim Berry, the marina manager, is looking forward to welcoming us back.

The rally will start officially with a 10:00(Drascombe time) briefing on Saturday morning at or near the pontoons with the aim of sailing off about 11:00. Please report to the marina office who will tell you where to berth, park trailers etc. If you arrive late on Friday evening just leave your boat in the yard.

For shore support parties a number of walks are possible, e.g. to Ardfern, and the NTS gardens at Arduaine are worthwhile visiting. Further afield are Easdale and Oban to the north and the Kilmartin museum, CarnassaryCastleand Dunadd to the south.

The location and how to get there

Craobh Haven, which is a fully equipped modern marina with shore based facilities, a chandlery, shops and a pub-restaurant, is 22 miles south of Oban and opinion is divided over whether the best approach from the south is via Dalmally and Oban or Inveraray and Lochgilphead. Of course, the best approach of all from the south is by sea. The shop does not have a wide range of provisions so come prepared.

Launching, mooring and recovery

Craobh has a good concrete slip accessible at almost all states of the tide. Overnight berthing will be on pontoons, or boats can be recovered onto trailers. Please settle your own account with the marina before you leave – they will know who you are.

Accommodation

There is no longer a campsite at Arduaine but camping has been arranged at Craobh Haven itself. For B & B, contact the Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond Stirling and Trossachs Tourist Board ( Lunga House ( is fully booked andBuidhe Lodge is no longer operating but there are other B & Bs not too far away. You are advised to book early as it will be very busy in this area over the May bank holiday. Jim Berry has offered to provide advice if accommodation is proving a problem.

Maps and charts

Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions

Martin Lawrence The yachtsman’s pilot to the Isle of Mull and adjacent coasts.

Imray Chart C65

Admiralty Chart 2326

OS Landranger 55Lochgilphead & Loch Awe

OS Explorer sheet 359 Oban, Kerrera & Loch Melfort and sheet 358 Lochgilphead & Knapdale North, Kilmartin.

Tides are crucial. Cuan and the Sound of Luing turn at more or less the same time (but not at HW and LW!). The Standard port is Oban.

You can look at the 1856 Admiralty chart of the area at (the rocks are still there!). Unfortunately, the google maps imagery is low resolution.

Contact details

Graham Russell 0131 229 8959 (evenings);

Craobh Marina (Jim Berry) 01852 500222;

Please post the rally form to: G. Russell, 4/1 Marchmont Street, EdinburghEH9 1EJ. The information on the form is used to create the list of boats issued to participants with mobile numbers, VHF and identifying features so we can contact each other on the water. Please note whether you intend to go on the cruise as well. An early e-mail stating your intention to come and how many places we should book for Saturday dinner would be appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Graham and Kate Russell