News on Covid and Access Issues

[BlowingOldBoots]

It would be useful if forum members could post updates, rumours, actual experience on matters associated with sailing and Covid, especially limitations and restrictions. The objective is to be informed, not to criticise or shame.

As a start based on my direct experience. Feel free to contribute as a way of supporting this Forum.

08 July 2020 Inverkip Marina
Showers are closed and toilet access is restricted to berth holders, face masks in chandlers but currently service is limited to table at the entrance i.e. do not pass. Sanitiser spray at all trolley stations and alcohol gel at the gates tot he pontoons. I still take my own as I have experienced the alcohol gel empty on one occasion only. The cafe to the side of the chandlers is open for take away and has a one way system in place, entry through main door, exit through back door after order is taken, walk round to front door and collect order at window. The chippy at Inverkip operates access from the window, the local store operates a facemask plicy, one way ssystem and provides hand sanitiser.
https://www.kipmarina.co.uk/customer-update-2nd-july/

Saturn Sails
Visiting boats to measure up and taking orders again.

Lord of the Isles at Craobh Marina
Restaurant, bar and beer garden, opens on the 17th of July, beer garden will not be open before then.
https://www.facebook.com/LordoftheIsles1

CalMac
Will only accept bookings two weeks in advance. Still significant restrictions in place.
https://www.calmac.co.uk/covid19

Crinan Canal
Still closed
https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/crinan-canal/

Stay safe by taking ownership of your safety and not relying on others to keep you safe.

Regards,

Alastair

[cpedw]

Tobermory Harbourinformation.
Briefly (subject to change!):
Book in before arrival.
Limited pontoon space and few moorings.
Pay online. No showers or toilets till 15/7.
Some shops are open but the Mishnish is closed for now but McGochans beer garden seems to have risen from the ashes.

Derek

[BlowingOldBoots]

Tarbert Harbour (Loch Fyne)
Open from the 17 July, controls in place. Check website for latest.
https://www.tarbertharbour.co.uk/index.html

We are please to announce that Tarbert harbour will be opening to visitor boats from the 15th of July, in line with government guidelines.

As always, the safety of our customers and staff is of utmost importance to us, so we have provided hand sanitiser around the Harbour for customer use and social distancing is still required as per government guidelines.

With this in mind, we also have sensible restrictions on the number of people who can use certain facilities such as the shower units, toilets and chandlery at any one time.

If you have any questions please contact us on 01880 820344 or email us at info@tarbertharbour.co.uk.

Stay safe everyone.

[stevepick]

I am trying to get my head around the statements on the Rum, Eigg and Canna websites. The Rum one comes across as rather thuggish, and aggressive. The three islands are "closed", no travel permitted by Calmac ( quite how this has been arranged I am not sure ) many of the other Calmac island services are now running under Covid setup.

It appears the islanders have decided no-one is welcome, and their decision is enough to bar any legal access. The arguments and references to guidance in the website "welcome" statements make no sense to me. They refer to their small size and remoteness and their elderly and shielding residents, well there are small, remote places all over the highlands with elderly & shielding residents, what makes Eigg,Rum and Canna special in that regard?
The Scottish government has stated we are now free to travel, I assumed that, as long as social distancing and hygiene protocols are followed, that means we can travel anywhere, except apparently the islands of Canna, Eigg and Rum. It is perfectly possible to visit the above islands for a walk without meeting, or even seeing any resident. It is certainly possible to visit the islands and maintain social distancing easily. The decisions to ban landing appear based on fear, paranoia or mis-interpretation of the issues involved around covid transmission. Landowners telling me I am not welcome, bring back unhappy memories of access issues in the previous century when landowners would make it clear that an innocent walk on a munro was , in their view, not permitted. The statement on the Rum website (esp points 1 &2 ):

As of Friday 3rd July 2020, visitor facilities in Kinloch Village remain closed to visitors as we have residents who are vulnerable and others who are shielding.

This means:

1. There will be no day trippers other than pre-arranged contractors until we, the community, decide otherwise
2. There will be no camping, WILD CAMPING or bothy-go-ing until we, the community, decide otherwise
3. All accommodation is closed until the end of July when this will be reviewed on a case by case basis in line with guidance

could have been written by John Bullough.

Apologies for being judgemental. I just cannot understand the intention or reasoning.

[wully]

Rum has always been full of weirdos....

Living in a small community I can fully understand their attitude although I welcome visitors back here - as long as they are respectful of our community rules. Which most seem to be.

The yotties I’ve been chatting to the past couple of days are the same cheery bunch they mostly seem to be and are practicing social distancing as they prep their boats. Most seem to be planning on sneaking off to a quiet anchorage where they will stay aboard and chill. What would be the point of going somewhere you are made very unwelcome anyway?

If this is the general behaviour and as long as the trend downwards in infections continues then things will get back to normal soon enough.

[BlowingOldBoots]

People who deliberately go to these islands to live, for a way of life, are not likely enamoured with crowds, hustle and bustle. Covid may represent everything that is bad about the life that they have left; hardly surprising that there is a negative disposition to outsiders. It is just another form of elitism at the end of the day, the very reason that the right to roam laws were introduced, including the obligations on all parties. The shielding excuses are just an expression of that elitism and a rather pathetic excuse, considering the shielding practises and challenges in densely populated conurbations, which generally have worked for those most at risk. Like the rest of the country they should continue to follow government advice and actively encourage tourism and income as their economies desperately need it.

[cpedw]

The Coll Public Moorings are currently on the seabed and there is no date for restoring them. Meanwhile, they are a hazard to anchoring so use a tripping line or go elsewhere.

[wully]

The Coll Public Moorings are currently on the seabed and there is no date for restoring them. Meanwhile, they are a hazard to anchoring so use a tripping line or go elsewhere.

Coll.

Colloquially know as Fu*kall for good reason. Mostly owned by trust fund/minted absentee blow ins...

Maybe I should write an updated Scottish Islands guide to keep myself amused during the winter?

[claymore]

We had a programme on TV the other evening - Paul Merson's scottish something or other tours. This episode was focused on Coll and the owner of the Castle was on. Seemed a damn fine chap to me - sort of Cove who gets out of the bath for a pee and I doubt he'll stand any nonsense from the likes of Wullyum or his countrymen.
When I served in the Queens Own (Herbacious Borderers), I had a number of Brother Officers cut from a similar bolt of cloth. Fecked Mules, the lot of 'em. Mares of course, nothing queer about any of 'em.
just saying......

[Burst Boiler]

Paul Merson played for Arsenal. I think you mean Paul Merton - the guy from have I Got News For You.

[claymore]

Both wrong - PAUL MURTON

[cpedw]

Paul Merton, Paul Murton - it's very confusing. There's the one who used to be funny and the one who wears a funny hat. I don't know footballers.

[claymore]

Paul Merton does the shirts - Murton is a Tillyhatman. He walks with a sort of lisp....

[Burst Boiler]

Both wrong - PAUL MURTON

Aach, its more fun to come up with plausible but incorrect names. I think it was Peter Morton, who also makes morning rolls fur yet bacon.

[claymore]

There was a young chappie named Morton
Who had a long ball and a short 'un
Added to that, he'd a fine Tilly Hat
And.......