BLUEMOMENT

We did the distillery tour on mon 8th, the guy taking it was hopeless, but made up for it with quite a few samples of the produce. Like you it was a glorious day when we were there. We berthed on the pontoon and gave the required donation for a 2 hour stay but when we got back from the tour the visitor moorings were full. We decided to head for Brodick, what a bad idea no one told me Brodick was closed on a Monday evening. I'll know better next time.
Fancy a Scuttlebutt Clyde cruise in August Pete?

Everyone like different places. For me Lochranza is the best.

So lets put a few points right.

The pontoon was originally asked for by the locals (Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society) and they started raising cash, then like all good ideas it was hijacked by the North Ayrshire Council (sometime called North Ayrshire and Arran Council) The original idea was for a pontoon for landing dinghies but like topsy it grew. If overnight berthing is allowed, one will start it and before long there will boats rafted up. As Pete found you were bouncing off the pontoon and before long there would be no pontoon.

There are however 12 public moorings which was increased from 5 following requests from the locals. Anchoring can sometimes be a trial in Ranza and the best place seems to be nearer head of loch between the public moorings and the north shore although can be deep and some boats do not have enough chain.

I think I know the "old biddie" you refer to Pete and and she is anything but. Her husband was born and bred in Ranza. Will I let her know what you call her????. There is many a time her and her husband have launched there dinghy to help sailors in problems.

I find all the locals very friendly.

Yes there is no shop now but the butcher at the pontoon has brilliant local meat and keeps some milk and dairy products and veg. The caravan park also as you say has a small shop. There is also a restaurant at the caravan park called Stags Pavilion. The hotel is normally open all day and sometime the owner has been know to smile but not often and they do a great steak pie. About one mile down the coast is Catacol Hotel which is friendly and good food and the cheese burger is great. Also round from the ferry is a sandwich bar which I am always told do lovely fresh sandwiches but always closed when I go on a Wed. The post office set up one day at community centre and the mobile bank calls a few times a week.

Then why am I praising Ranza. I should be saying what a dump and so keep all the mooring so myself

I've posted this before from the local paper, but here it is again for info -