Tobermory
At a Glance
Contacts
Tobermory Harbour Association 01688 302876 or 07917832497 VHF
#68
Harbour Garage (for diesel) 01688 302103 (used to be
Mackay's)
Tobermory is an extremely popular harbour in the summer; the
entrance is free of dangers and it is well sheltered from just
about all directions although there can be a gentle set into the
marina pontoons which can keep some boats in continuous movement.
This movement can be quite severe in strong NE winds when some
commentators have described the conditions as
"untenable"; you would certainly be in for an
uncomfortable night in a NE gale.
Although there is evidence of early habitation in this area, the
town of Tobermory is a fairly recent development, building having
started here at the end of the 18th Century to promote the fishing
industry which never took off and for a short time the only
industry here was the harvesting of kelp.
In the mid 19th century Tobermory became what it is today, a
tourist town. This was boosted by Mendelssohn’s Hebrides
Overture and the publicity surrounding Fingal’s Cave on
the island of Staffa. Queen Victoria visited here in the Royal
Yacht in 1847 and the die was cast - Tobermory is now one of the
“must see” destinations on the West Coast.
The Tobermory Harbour Association is an independent organisation
and they seem to have “got it right”. They
charge no more than any other marina on this coast and throw in the
shore power with the mooring fee. It’s a slick operation
as most people only stop for one or two nights on the way North and
West or similarly on the way home so it’s a constantly
changing neighbourhood. And they have it down to a tee.
Ashore the locals are welcoming and there is not a feeling of being
fleeced as quickly as possible!! As well as this, as it is not a
run down fishing village desperately hanging on to its
“old traditions” with boarded up shops and
warehouses; it is what it has always been - a fairly genteel
tourist town, well maintained and easy on the eye.
Tobermory's website is at http://www.tobermoryharbour.co.uk/
Tobermory
Approach
There are no problems in the approach through the main NE channel apart....
.... from the fact that you are sharing it with the ferry traffic. This is not a problem as they obey the collision regs religiously - you should too! A wise mariner would have the sails stowed and warps & fenders rigged as required because you are likely to identify a favourable mooring vacancy at the last minute with not much room to manoeuvre.
Be aware that the channel is on the Calve Island side of the narrows and the rusty SE pylon appears to be in the middle of the channel. The tide floods NW through these narrows so you need to go through on the flood - and if you go aground, at least you’ll refloat!! Local advice is not to attempt this passage on the ebb. It will save you about half a mile when compared to going around to the North Entrance so nowadays with all-day pub opening the only reason to take this passage would be if pushed for time to get fuel or just to prove you can!
To make your approach to the pontoon area the old designated "freeway" along the North side of the bay abeam the Calmac Ferry has been scrapped. There is a new preferred route in marked by Port and Starboard marks due East of the Pontoons; this keeps you well clear of the Calmac Berth and any Cruise boat tenders using the new North Pontoon. Mind you the tendency is to come through the entrance and then weave your way through the moorings - but you should be aware of the harbour's preference.
Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
On the West corner of the bay the THA has pontoon berths for.....
.... about 50 boats (though the inner berths are only suitable
for shallow draft boats) and a further 25 blue visitors buoys to
the South east of that. Without that area there is no objection to
you dropping your pick anywhere else in the bay though you should
avoid the marked fairway to the central pier and the turning circle
off the CalMac pier.
If you can take the ground there is just room to anchor in the
small cove between the marina slip and the central pier (use a
tripping line); otherwise you can find room in Acarseid Mor on the
NW side of Calve Island (but beware the mussel farm and the reef at
the entrance), in the narrow passage (Doirlinn) between Calve
Island and the main island or in Aros Bay at the Southern end of
the bay (not too much room here today because of the fish farm).
Antares has charts of both of these anchorages
We have reproduced a schematic chart of the bay (by kind permission
of the THA) so you can see what’s available close in. The
Visitor’s buoys are blue with yellow pick up float and
you should not use the Central hammerhead as that is used for
refuelling.
Update 2019. They have added a new pontoon (called the "Northern Arm") which we show in our gallery - basically it's parallel to the other pontoons and lies to the North of the other two. Its for commercial use. The fuel berth is still what is now the central hammerhead
Pricing is a mixed feast but basically on the pontoons it's £17.00 up to 6 metres and then £3 per metre extra after that which includes shore power. A swinging mooring is roughly £15 per night and anchoring within the designated anchoring areas is free.
Marinas and Mooring
Tobermory Harbour Association
Taigh Solais
Ledaig
Tobermory,
Argyll
PA75 6NR
Facilities
There is shore power and water for every pontoon berth all of which is included in the mooring fee. Ashore in the THA building there are showers (coin op), toilets and a laundrette (again coin op). You need a code to get into the ablutions or you can pop 20p in the slot.
Diesel is available on the refuel berth (north hammerhead)
between 0830 and 1730 at the height of the summer (which is why you
might conceivably need to use the Doirlinn Narrows to save time!) -
thus a late arrival and early departure plus a refuel are not an
option. If you do need to refuel outside the hours you could give
the Moorings manager a call on his mobile well in advance - but I
wouldn’t bank on it. Petrol and gas/gaz you’ll
have to get from the Harbour Garage, just a hundred yards from the
marina gate.
There is a well equipped chandlery just past the central pier
towards the CalMac terminal.
For the rest there is a Co-op (in premises way too small for the
amount of stock they carry), a baker and a chemist.
What to Do
We mentioned at the outset that Tobermory is primarily a tourist destination and as such virtually all tastes are catered for (though I searched in vain for Para Handy’s “highchinks”) One thing though, everywhere is busy so you should try to book in advance.
The Mishnish is a favourite watering hole for yachties.
There is a very good website covering the facilities available
here
http://www.scottishanchorages.co.uk/#/tobermory/4533048971
History
Local Business
Divers
Lochaline Dive centre
Lochaline
Morvern
PA80 5XT
Sailmakers-Repair-and-Covers
Owen Sails
Tralee Bay
Benderloch
Benderloch
PA37 1QR
This West Coast company is renowned in North and West Scotland and is the go to place for all aspects of sail-care and rigging. They also make all the boat covers, biminis, dodgers etc associated with yachting.
Uncategorised
Owen Sails
Tralee Bay
Benderloch
Benderloch
PA37 1QR
This West Coast company is renowned in North and West Scotland and is the go to place for all aspects of sail-care and rigging. They also make all the boat covers, biminis, dodgers etc associated with yachting.
Lochaline Dive centre
Lochaline
Morvern
PA80 5XT
Pegasus Marine Surveys
12 Rockfield Road
Tobermory
Argyll
PA75 6PN
Tobermory Harbour Association
Taigh Solais
Ledaig
Tobermory,
Argyll
PA75 6NR
Ardent Training
Taigh Solais, Ledaig
Tobermory
Isle of Mull
Argyll
PA75 6NR
Tide Information for tobermory
Tidal Information