Sailing

The Firth of Clyde provides some of the finest sailing waters around the UK and the area hosts a large number of national and international sailing events in a range of classes. Why not make arrangements for you to hire a cruiser yacht during your stay and recommend a visit to the marinas at both Troon and Largs. There can be few better days out than cruising off the Isles of Arran and Cumbrae on a fine summers day.

The coastal waters around Ayrshire provide the venue for a number of yachting and sailing events every year - during your stay you may catch a glimpse of some tall ships racing, cruise ships berthing off Ayr, regular yachting events or simply windsurfers braving the elements of the Ayrshire coastline.

The Clyde’s long lochs penetrate far into the Highlands, whilst its outer reaches comprise a scatter of islands, each of different size and character. Arran is large and mountainous, Bute is smaller and more pastoral, whilst the small islands of Great and Little Cumbrae can be circumnavigated in an afternoon.

Accrording to the excellent Sail Scotland website (linked below) "The Clyde has ten large marinas with capacity for several thousand boats, a host of marine services to offer, a wonderfully scenic cruising area in which to enjoy being afloat, and many destinations, ranging from sheltered bays to busy fishing harbours, to visit. It is this shelter, a feature shared with the West Coast, which makes this part of Scotland so perfect for holiday sailing."

The main Clyde marinas for resident and charter craft in Ayrshire are at Troon, Ardrossan and Largs. Kip in Inverkip is just north of Ayrshire whilst Fairlie Quay is popular for winter storage and offers excellent maintenance facilities.

For those without the inclination to venture out to sea, why not simply sit back and enjoy the sunsets over Ailsa Craig, Arran and the other islands in the Firth of Clyde.