Lizzie May - Scottish seafood, gaff sailing and long midsummer days - 3 days

Voyage Number	LM1013
Voyage price	£460 for 3 days
Voyage Dates	25/06/2010 - 15:00 - 28/06/2010 - 15:00
Depart from	Largs
Finishing Port	Largs
Voyage area	Scotland
Voyage type	Seafood - gourmet voyages , Short Breaks and Tasters , Weekend Voyages
Vessel	Lizzie May
Availability	Available
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Voyage Description

Gastronomic Voyage Theme - A Taste of The Sea

Scotland has some of the best fish and seafood in Europe on its doorstep. Langoustines, Scallops, Oysters, wild prawns with far more taste than farmed prawns from the far east can often be bought straight off the fishing boats in small harbours, or even at sea ! Lizzie May's skipper's Laurie and Jerry both love to eat well, and Laurie is also a professional chef ashore when not on Lizzie May. The aim of the voyage is to search out fresh seafood as part of the adventure.

Pilot Cutter Sailing in Western Scotland – 2 & 3 day voyages

The Firth of Clyde is one of the largest areas of sheltered deep water in the British Isles. As a result it has been a major centre for recreational boating for over a century.

Lizzie May is based at Largs during the start and end of the season so this really is her local sailing ground and you can benefit from the skippers local knowledge in this wonderful scenic crusing ground. Close enough to Glasgow and Edinburgh for a long weekend away on a real working wooden boat - you can chose between a 2 or 3 day break or come on a longer expedition. You don't need to sail far from Largs to feel you are out in nature's vast playground.

The Clyde’s long lochs penetrate far into the highlands, whilst its outer reaches comprise of a scattering of islands, each different in size and character. The jagged mountain ridge skyline of Arran dominates the outer approaches and provides a classic brooding backdrop to Lizzie May’s cream sails. There are several spectacular anchorages like Brodick Bay.

Bute is smaller and more pastoral, whilst the islands of Great and Little Cumbrae can be circum- navigated in an afternoon. Jump off the wooden quay in Millport with the local boys and girls if you dare. A longer sail in the lee of the Mull of Kintyre peninsula reaches the unique Isle of Sanda. Its pub the ‘Byron Darnton’ is busy with visiting sailors in summer, even though the island has no permanent population. Another offshore foray is to the distinctive lump of Ailsa Craig and home to a huge Gannet colony.

 Sail natures wild playground ….where  the mountains touch the sea

The waters off Western Scotland are rich ecosystems with abundant seafood that matches anything France has to offer. If the opportunity presents itself, and it usually does if you sail a pretty boat, barter with local fishermen for prawns, langoustines and scallops. It's not that we don’t feed you freshly cooked meals on Lizzie May, but to experience seafood fresh from the sea is part of the magic of sailing in Scotland.

Due to the prolific life under the surface and hundreds of miles of remote coastlines, the Hebrides, Western Isles and approaches to the Clyde are great places to spot seals, otters, minke whales, basking sharks and dolphins. The mountains provide inaccessible eyries for Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Choughs, Peregrine Falcons and cliffs are home to many large breeding colonies of seabirds like gannets and puffins.

The weather in Scotland can range from shimmering heat haze on white sand beaches, to dramatic rain storms, sleet and snow or white capped waves and vivid blue skies. It changes….and it changes fast.

Seascapes & Mountains on your doorstep

Why travel to New Zealand or Alaska for awesome skies, moody mountains, wild winds and crystal clear light quality. The Western Isles can take you on an adventure to inspire artist and photographers in a long weekend.

See itinerary page

Long Weekend Voyage - West Coast Oydessey - ITINERARY

DAY ONE  Fri 31st July 2009 Join 10am

Lizzie May’s skipper will explain the plan for the next few days, dependant on weather and tides. After safety briefings, you will be introduced to the traditional sailing skills need to sail Lizzie May. Apart from her barrel windlass there are no winches on board – just blocks and tackles.

Large enough to leave under sail if you keep clear of the island ferries, Oban harbour takes you straight out into unmistakeably Scottish scenery. Duart Castle guards the entrance to the Sound of Mull, but if the weather is fine Lizzie May will sail down the Firth of Lorne where there is plenty of room to practice tacking, or gybing. The mountains of Mull make a great backdrop and occasionally you see seals swimming across, or dolphins and whales in this major deep water routeway.

The beauty of sailing in Scotland amongst the islands is that there are nearly always several deep water routes you can chose, and an infinite number of anchorages where you may be the only boat.

For the first night you might shelter in the deep inlet called Puilladobhrain. Impossible to pronounce but it means home of the otter, so keep an eye out at dawn or dusk.

Alternatively you might head for mainland lochs like Loch Melfort if the weather is going to be a bit wild for a few days. There are strong tides through Scarba, Luing and Seil but the journey should get progressively more sheltered as the gaps between islands get narrower. As you get whisked along silently by the tide keeps your eyes peeled for seals, otters and birds amongst the kelp. This inshore route opens up the option of taking the Crinan Canal back into the waters of the Clyde and spending more time exploring around Arran, Kyles of Bute, Loch Fyne. (see Lizzie May’s 3 day voyages for more details of her autumn and spring cruising ground)

DAY TWO – Sat 1st August 2009

From an anchorage like Puilladobhrain you could have a day sailing south westward to anchor off and explore Colonsay during the long daylight hours of a Scottish Summer. If the tide is out you can walk from Colonsay to Oronsay via a wide expanse of shell rich sand. There is an Augustinian Priory ruin built in 1380 on Oronsay, second only to Iona monastery in terms of archeological importance.

Alternatively you might sail to Jura or Islay, ready for a trip south through the Sound of Islay in the morning. Anchor at the northern end of the Sound of Islay to see the raised beaches, arches and caves on the West side of Jura (Over 50 large caves were used as mortuaries before shipping bodies out to the monastery on Iona).

The lure of Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavullin, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain or Caol Ila whisky distilleries may tempt you to anchor off Islay instead. For ornithologists there are more bird species on Islay than any other Hebridean island with 180 species from choughs to golden eagles and lots of geese. The Lord of the Isles held council on Islay in the 14th Century and the ruins of this Scottish Gaelic culture include the great hall at Loch Finlaggan.

DAY THREE -Sunday 2nd August 2009

The Sound of Islay provides a stunning backdrop, so why not take advantage of the flat waters and take a photo from the bowsprit. Beyond the Sound you are out in the open sea known as Malin in the shipping forcasts. The tides are strong and you need to look out for large shipping as you sail through the North Channel between Northern Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre Peninsula. There are plenty of lighthouses so you could even experience a night sail if it fits with the tides and helps maximise the holiday exploration options. There is an anchorage off Sanda Island once you have rounded the Mull of Kintyre, or Campbeltown gives a chance to grab a shower ashore.

DAY 4 - Monday 6th July

Back in South West Scotland and the Firth of Clyde, you are in Lizzie May’s home waters. Although you will see more yachts it still has a wild offshore feel to much of the sailing grounds. The jagged mountain ridge skyline of Arran dominates the outer approaches and provides a classic brooding backdrop to Lizzie May’s cream sails. Sandy anchorages like Brodick Bay have steep slopes above them. Bute is smaller and more pastoral, whilst the islands of Great and Little Cumbrae can be navigated in an afternoon. If you have sailed the long way around you may only gain a passing glimpse of this area on the way to Largs, but when you feel the call of the sea again, remember that this sailing ground is in easy reach of Glasgow for a short break again on Lizzie May.

The voyage ends in Largs at 1700hrs. For Port information and other holiday and travel ideas see the end port details page.

Getting to Glasgow

By Road

Head up the M6 into Scotland it becomes the M74 which takes you right into Glasgow.

By Coach

National Express

By Train

Raileasy

By Plane

Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Glasgow Visit Scotland has a good local directory.
 

Getting to Glasgow

By Road

Head up the M6 into Scotland it becomes the M74 which takes you right into Glasgow.

By Coach

National Express

By Train

Raileasy

By Plane

Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Glasgow Visit Scotland has a good local directory.
 

Lizzie May sailing in Scotland 

See below for all 2012 voyages on Lizzie May

Specifications

Lizzie May was built new in 1999 by Luke Powell of Working Sail using traditional construction techniques to create a wooden pilot cutter with real character. Her frames are oak with larch planking and hardwood deck. Lizzie is 42ft on deck with a long 13ft bowsprit and lofty topmast. Her beam of 12ft gives her plenty of flat deck space and her low profile coach house is barely visible so all onlookers see is a traditional boat with lovely sheer lines.

The coach house also provides outward facing seating so you wont miss the scenery. All the rigging is ash blocks and tackles so you wont be sitting down for long.

There are no winches on board so everybody keeps warm and active pulling together. Sailing in Scotland requires a good anchor and true to her working boat origins Lizzie May has a barrel windlass to raise the anchor.

The vessel weighs 18 ton with a long deep keel—ideal for open sea sailing. The large mainsail can be slab reefed and even the staysail can be reefed in strong winds, so with a storm jib too she can make the most of the wilder days.. On light wind days she can glide up the lochs and narrows with a large flying jib and gaff topsail. 

Below Decks

Below decks is very light with loads of character and varnished wood. There are two single berths in the forepeak, three berths in the saloon and a double berth in the starboard quarter with limited headroom (back of the boat). Please remember this is only a 42ft boat with an elegant raked stern so spaces are communal, there are a few low beams and limited storage.

Lizzie has a lovely oak table, a small heater in the saloon, hot and cold water and WC, galley and modern navigational equipment. She carries all safety equipment required for her commercial coding under the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) and licensed to sail offshore up to 60 miles from a safe haven.

Lizzie May Skipper Jerry 

Jerry Headley bought Lizzie May in 2007- with the intention of setting up his own charter company, after a rather life changing voyage to Paimpol Shanty Festival on 'Eve of St Mawes.' He was not the only Eve crew on that voyage to find themselves owning a classic wooden boat. (Classical Guitarist James Boyd bought classic yacht Concord - currently nominated for Classic Boat Magazine Restoration of the Year)
 

Jerry's enthusiasm for pilot cutters shone through and it was evident he would make a sociable and relaxed charter skipper. Classic Sailing were thrilled to work with Jerry to establish Eve's  'sister ship' on the West Coast of Scotland, near Jerry's home. 

Lizzie May Printable details and Voyage Notes Lizzie May PDF

Lizzie May 2012 Schedule 

	Lizzie May Easter Bank Holiday 3 days for only £390 LM1201	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 06/04/2012 - 15:00- to Mon, 09/04/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Scottish Weekend Breaks 2 days for only £260 LM1202	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 20/04/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 22/04/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1203	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 04/05/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 06/05/2012 - 15:00

	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1204	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 18/05/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 20/05/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May Weekend Sailing 2 days for only £260 LM1205	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Fri, 01/06/2012 - 15:00- to Sun, 03/06/2012 - 15:00
	Lizzie May - Arran, Mull of Kintyre, Islay, Jura on the way to Oban 5 Days £650 LM1206	Lizzie May	Bute, Port Bannatyne, Scotland	Oban	Fri, 15/06/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 20/06/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - West Coast Adventure- North to Mull, Skye or South to Jura, Islay etc - FULL LM1207	Lizzie May	Oban	Oban	Wed, 20/06/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 27/06/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - West Coast Adventure- Oban to Falmouth - 7 days - £780 - FULL LM1208	Lizzie May	Oban	Falmouth, UK	Fri, 29/06/2012 - 15:00- to Fri, 06/07/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - Brest International Festival of the Sea 2012 - 6 days - £780 LM1209	Lizzie May	Falmouth, UK	Brest, France	Thu, 12/07/2012 - 15:00- to Wed, 18/07/2012 - 10:00
	Lizzie May - Brest to Douarnenez 2012 - 3 days - £390 LM1210	Lizzie May	Brest, France	Douarnenez, France	Wed, 18/07/2012 - 15:00- to Sat, 21/07/2012 - 10:00

What to bring

Boats have very limited stowage space so please limit yourself to one soft collapsible bag or rucksack (not a suitcase).
Bring a sleeping bag (we provide pillows and pillow cases).
We can supply waterproof jackets and trousers but you may prefer to bring your own if you have them.
A hat for sun or cold weather.
Swimsuit, towel and sun cream.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can wash over the deck (an alternative to boots in the summer is another pair of trainers in case the first pair get wet).
A small rucksack is useful for going ashore.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook and a good read.
Any medication, spare spectacles, seasick tablets (check which brand with your doctor if you are on any medication)

RYA Cruising Logbook if you are keeping a record of your experience for qualification purposes.

Musical instruments are most welcome.