Sailing in the Outer Hebrides

Soundly equipped boats with competent crew will be able to make the most of the range of adventure sailing opportunities in the Outer Hebrides.

If you have explored other coastal areas around the North Sea, the Baltic, the English Channel, the Atlantic coast of France or the Irish Sea and are looking for new places to sail in Europe you should have few problems on the west coast of Scotland and sailing the Western Isles.

In contrast to most other sailing areas in Britain the sea around the Outer Hebrides is open and uncrowded. The long summer days mean that night passages are not often needed, while most Western Isles marinas are based in ferry ports with clear lights and buoyage.

The Clyde Cruising Club’s Outer Hebrides is the only sailing directions describing yacht anchorages and inshore passages in the Western Isles and is essential reading.

Charts can be selected from the Admiralty Chart Catalogy (NP109)  Corrections for both Imray and Admiralty charts are published on the internet.  

NB: Not all charts in the Outer Hebrides have been converted to the GS84 datum especially the larger scale charts. Check the datum source on the chart and be aware the OSGB36 datum may differ by as much as 100 m from current charts. GPS may in some cases be more accurate. Antares digital charts are available for some areas of the Outer Hebrides.

The main centres of Stornoway, Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale and Castlebay (all Outer Hebrides ferry ports) make good first landing points in the Westen Isles. From the south, across the Sea of the Hebrides, a short passage can be made via Canna, while a weather window is awaited. The uneven sea bed causes steeper seas for any given wind than in the Minch, so Canna is a good place to wait for a calmer crossing and is suitable for passage to the area between Barra and Lochmaddy. A night passage is also manageable as all the hazards are marked and lit. Crossing to the Hebrides from Dunvegan or Uig avoids the group of islets between Skye and Harris.

However crossing to the Western Isles from the North of Skye to Harris or Lewis across the Little Minch needs  particular care as the combination of hazards, tides and uneven sea bottom can make it a dangerous area of sea in bad weather. The North Minch is a longer distance and is exposed to the swell and northerly weather however the tidal streams are less of a problem.

Outer Hebrides tidal streams can be strong around exposed headlands and in the sounds between the larger islands. Time your passage to use them to your advantage. Admiralty Stream Atlas (NP209) should be carried.

Rapid changes of conditions are more frequent in the Outer Hebrides squalls can pass through fast and benign weather return. As a result unexpected adverse conditions may arise which may test your boat and your crew. However the rainfall is less in the Outer Hebrides than in many parts of the West of Scotland and the Gulf stream passing the islands means a higher water temperature than might be expected otherwise.

South Westerly winds prevail except when a high pressure becomes established to the north of Scotland when more northerly and easterly winds predominate. In the summer, gales occur on average less than half a day per month at Castlebay and one day a month at Stornoway.

Good visibility is the norm and fog rare. Visibility of more than 1/2 a mile occurs on average on all but three days a month in midsummer. Visibility of less than two miles only occurs on average three days a month in the worst weather. However heavy rain or drizzle may reduce visibility while a front goes over.

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this material is for guidance only and should not be used for navigation.