Just found your channel, this is very timely as I’ve just started planning for my solo trip next year 2025, setting off from Hull and going anti clockwise, plan is to spend 6 weeks in west Scotland before heading south. Your detail is great and just the background I’m looking for. Thanks for these which I’m sure others will think the same
Thank you for putting this together Derek, what a very useful guide to anyone contemplating this trip, or any part of it. You make many of those harbours and anchorages look and sound very tempting. David.
Thank you David. I don’t think I found any unhelpful harbour masters and with proper planning and preparation it was easier than one might think. If anyone is contemplating it just do it - the regrets would be from not going!
Excellent condensed video. I've been in about half of those places and agree completely with your comments so I've now got a great description of the other half with confidence of the accuracy of the description.
Well done sir! My wife and I have been lucky to travel around the uk three times so far, once through the canals and twice around the top, and we have been to many of the same harbours as yourself. I agree with you on so many points from taking your time in west coast of Scotland to how spotlessly clean the village of whitehills is.
Wow! I’m impressed with the 3 times circumnavigation! Maybe I should at least make it twice! I would definitely budget time for more time in the Western Isles.
Excellent! Glad its was helpful - you'll have a whale of a time! I'm setting off from the Exe towards the end of May heading west towards Salcombe and Falmouth and from there to Southern Ireland. Who knows we may see each other along the way. What is your boat's name?
Thx for that lovely impressions! I really like it very much. Especially your clear pronouciation (I'm a german learning english), the beautiful pictures and Pink Floyd ;-)
Great video! We did exactly this journey from the Netherlands in 2014 the only differences were we did it clockwise and we took the Swellies passage at Anglesey from Caernarfon to Conway.
Thank you! There are always choices to be made … and compromises unless you have unlimited time. I did miss out on doing the Swellies - and I would have liked to visit Lundy island in the Bristol Channel. But what a wonderful voyage it was!
I will still watch the video though. Good content and helpful. Maybe get a suitable mic with a wind protection cover, allowing more use of the ambient sounds of sailing and the sea. Wishing you a safe and pleasant sail.
My Fulmar has bilge keels and only draws 1.2m but all the spots would be accessible with 1.6m draft. My bilge keels just let me anchor closer in sometimes or moor up outside a marina which had a sill and thereby depart earlier!
Just spotted two of the three Sigmas belonging to Premier Sailing that were doing Sail for Macmillan. We were in Whitehills the same time as you. I agree it is a lovely friendly place.
I seem to remember one MacMillan sponsored yacht at some stage of my trip! Was it Whitehills? I’ll have another scan of my videos again. Thanks for this!
Excellent.👍👍👍Regardless what anyone tells you, you will need as many fenders in the Caledonia and or crinan canals as you can carry, especially if there are strong winds from sw or se. My boat received some nasty canal tattoos to port side gel coat. I was single handed, but in the company of another single hander,Clyde to westray and back via both canals.
Very informative - thank you. I'd be interested in your thoughts about the manageability of your 32' boat for single-handed sailing versus having enough space for all that is needed for the trip.
Life is often about compromises! 32ft is as much as I’d want to manage singlehanded if your thinking of using pontoons/ marinas. Anchoring is easier for a 32ft and you’d cope with bigger. However round Britain for me meant using harbours and marinas and 32 was as much as I could manage. The Fulmar is quite roomy inside and easily held all my cruising shute/ spinnaker, sailing gear, table and cushions, clothes etc and food for 3+months (shops were readily available!). I’m not good at being without unlike some people so I like my comforts. Others have managed with less on a 26ft boat!
Great achievement and advice. Our fulmar was originally from “March hare of Arun” was her name then. Love the pink Floyd background music. Fellow fan.❤
Not sure if Bertie was still there as harbourmaster he was brilliant and the feature pic on that video was taken by him! If he’s not then I’m sure he will have trained up his replacement well!
Thanks for the very interesting summary One minor correction - if your map is correct then you actually stayed in 'Loch Tarbert' on Jura. 'West Loch Tarbert' is further to the southeast, on the west side of Kintyre.
Thanks for the comment ‘waterbuoy’. You are right it was Loch Tarbert but it was the west side of the same. I know people often anchor deeper in whereas I stayed at the western end! Thanks for the correction I hadn’t foreseen the confusion with the proper West Loch Tarbert!
Derek, What was you STARTING and ENDING months for your 2021 UK trip? Want to know when I should be leaving the UK before Winter sets in. Thanks. Robert
Hi Robert, my main consideration was to be in Scotland in June as historically that month gives fair warm weather and long days. I know this year has bucked trends! So I set off anti-clockwise from the Exe estuary in late April and got back home in mid July. If I’d had more time I’d have spent longer around the Western Isles!
I spent 3 months which allowed a whole 7 days in the Caledonian, 10 days in the Western Isles, several days in Padstow cause weather was good, and often spending a couple of days in port to chill out! I set off in April so as to have long days in Scotland in June.
@derekhathaway same here. They are my 15yo sons favorite as well. It's more than music it's art. I can see people listening to them a century from now when we are all long onto our next big adventure.
I got back mid July. I did spend some 10days sailing around the Inner Hebrides and parts of the Western islands of Scotland. I didn’t expect to get back there so wanted to make the most of being there. I also spent a few days in Padstow. So you could do the whole thing quicker but I’d suggest taking your time if you can!
@@everythingluxury9151 wow that’s exciting - how big is your family? Numbers and ages? I took over 3 months but that’s not pushing it and taking some extra time through the Caledonian canal (worth doing!!) and in the inner Hebrides. Don’t buy a boat for speed but a solid one for comfort and space - my Westerly Fulmar ticked those boxes!
I spent 3months but that included 10 days in the Western Isles on a bit of a jolly and a full week going through the Caledonian canal and you can do it quicker. Also if you are up for some overnight passages it could be a lot shorter. But it’s something to savour not rush! Good comment about including something about the planning. I’ll bear that in mind for future videos - I’m heading to Ireland next week!
@@derekhathaway really appreciate this information. I do think a video about your route planning and contingencies and also perhaps a video on how you would do it faster would be very popular. Many people would consider this but don’t have the experience to work it all out.
@@Supertramp_explorer I read many opinions and there seems little benefit either way. I thought east coast was least interesting (I was wrong!) and wanted to have spare time to enjoy western isles of Scotland in June - that worked very well! I’d say toss a coin to decide!!!
Hi, Very encouraging video. I am thinking of sailing around Britain for a charity and can't afford a large boat. It would be great to get your advice on how it is done. In particular it seems important to consider the engine. Did you add a charity to your sailing?
You are so right about having a reliable motor. Although we all hope to sail much of the way the reality is that if you want to be sure of making fair progress you will need to motor or at least motor sail some passages. And of course getting in to harbours or anchoring especially singlehanded it is essential. There are several useful books out there - one by Roger Oliver Sailing solo around the UK and another by Sam Steele Circumnavigating UK & Ireland which will give you lots of advice. And of course check out my other more detailed videos of my circumnavigation.
Well I was away for about 15 weeks so over 3 months but I waited in Inverness several days as my wife joined me through the Caledonian canal which we took slowly and I spent 10 days cruising the inner western isles and a another break with my wife in Padstow. The actual circumnavigation bit was probably 3 months and I wasn’t pushing myself!
It’s bilge keels. There were a few occasions when that helped a lot - E.g. I could take the ground in an outer harbour and depart earlier / before the inner harbour with a lock was open or anchor deeper in for more shelter. Most of the time though it didn’t make a lot of difference!
Hi Christopher, I got back early July but that was partly because I spent 7 days in the Caledonian canal, 10 days in the Western isles and several days in Padstow. So could have comfortably done it in less time. Best to not be rushed especially best to have time to enjoy parts of the journey!
HI Mark, Thanks for the comment. She is bilge keel and draws just 1.2m which makes some harbours easier to access or leave at low water and dry out in places like Lindisfarne!
Hi Paul, I have 2x120ah lead acid leisure batteries and separate starter and windlass batteries. I have modest solar panel on the coach roof @c45watts which charges the leisure batteries via Victron MPPT controller (high spec panel from Solara - copes with some shade!) but also most days the motor ran entering and leaving port and often for longer! Always managed my electronics including autohelm without problem.
Great trip Derek but you did not sail around `Britain. A large part of Scotland was missed out including Orkney and Shetland. Still was a great achievement though.
Strictly speaking you’re right. But for a 70yr old who only took up sailing in retirement and with a wife who would only join me for a Caledonian canal transit I chose this route which I would have missed going round the top! Life is full of choices and challenges! Thank you for your comment though!
Actually it was decided by my non sailing wife who said she would join me for the week if I transited the Caledonian! And in the event it was definitely worth doing for the fantastic scenery and having my wife with me of course!
Sorry that was not to your taste! I’m heading to Ireland in a couple of months and I’m exploring different music options as background to my videos. Thank you for commenting.
Just found your channel, this is very timely as I’ve just started planning for my solo trip next year 2025, setting off from Hull and going anti clockwise, plan is to spend 6 weeks in west Scotland before heading south. Your detail is great and just the background I’m looking for. Thanks for these which I’m sure others will think the same
I’m pleased it has been helpful. It’ll be a fantastic experience - enjoy!
Thank you for putting this together Derek, what a very useful guide to anyone contemplating this trip, or any part of it. You make many of those harbours and anchorages look and sound very tempting. David.
Thank you David. I don’t think I found any unhelpful harbour masters and with proper planning and preparation it was easier than one might think. If anyone is contemplating it just do it - the regrets would be from not going!
Excellent condensed video. I've been in about half of those places and agree completely with your comments so I've now got a great description of the other half with confidence of the accuracy of the description.
Thank you for your comments and glad you found it informative
What a great video and guide to sail the British coast. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well done sir! My wife and I have been lucky to travel around the uk three times so far, once through the canals and twice around the top, and we have been to many of the same harbours as yourself. I agree with you on so many points from taking your time in west coast of Scotland to how spotlessly clean the village of whitehills is.
Wow! I’m impressed with the 3 times circumnavigation! Maybe I should at least make it twice! I would definitely budget time for more time in the Western Isles.
Great video. Did a similar trip back in 2016 but went over the top via Orkneys. Agree about a Bertie at Whitehills.
Thankyou Derek: I'm heading clockwise from Ipswich in our Centaur in about 10 days - your footage is inspiring me.
Regards, Rob
Excellent! Glad its was helpful - you'll have a whale of a time! I'm setting off from the Exe towards the end of May heading west towards Salcombe and Falmouth and from there to Southern Ireland. Who knows we may see each other along the way. What is your boat's name?
Thx for that lovely impressions! I really like it very much. Especially your clear pronouciation (I'm a german learning english), the beautiful pictures and Pink Floyd ;-)
Thank you for your kind comments in excellent English!
Thanks great films lots of info I plan the same trip next year when I retire I also single hand
I’m glad it was helpful. I had the time of my life and I’m sure you’ll be so pleased you did it!
That was really useful and onteresting. Thank you
Amazing trip and a great video. Congratulations.
Thank you - I was very fortunate to be able to do the trip and the videos help me remember it all!
Great video! We did exactly this journey from the Netherlands in 2014 the only differences were we did it clockwise and we took the Swellies passage at Anglesey from Caernarfon to Conway.
Thank you! There are always choices to be made … and compromises unless you have unlimited time. I did miss out on doing the Swellies - and I would have liked to visit Lundy island in the Bristol Channel. But what a wonderful voyage it was!
Thank you for a great summary of your travels 🙂
P.S I am envious!
@@mikeg8335 thank you! Very soon I’ll put together some videos of my Southern Ireland trip early this summer - hope you enjoy them too.
I will still watch the video though. Good content and helpful. Maybe get a suitable mic with a wind protection cover, allowing more use of the ambient sounds of sailing and the sea. Wishing you a safe and pleasant sail.
Great video Derek! Since your boat drafts 1.6 mt all theese places have more than that waterdepth.. I guess... Thanks again!
My Fulmar has bilge keels and only draws 1.2m but all the spots would be accessible with 1.6m draft. My bilge keels just let me anchor closer in sometimes or moor up outside a marina which had a sill and thereby depart earlier!
Thanks for answering!
Just spotted two of the three Sigmas belonging to Premier Sailing that were doing Sail for Macmillan. We were in Whitehills the same time as you. I agree it is a lovely friendly place.
I seem to remember one MacMillan sponsored yacht at some stage of my trip! Was it Whitehills? I’ll have another scan of my videos again. Thanks for this!
Excellent.👍👍👍Regardless what anyone tells you, you will need as many fenders in the Caledonia and or crinan canals as you can carry, especially if there are strong winds from sw or se. My boat received some nasty canal tattoos to port side gel coat. I was single handed, but in the company of another single hander,Clyde to westray and back via both canals.
Agreed, and add to that fender board(s) with rope threaded internally not exposed to the walls!
Well done mate,lovely
very informative and a cool choice of music too.
Glad you liked it!
Well done that man.
Thank you!
Looking forward to watching these :)
Hope you enjoy!
Well done Sir!
Good Job
Very informative - thank you. I'd be interested in your thoughts about the manageability of your 32' boat for single-handed sailing versus having enough space for all that is needed for the trip.
Life is often about compromises! 32ft is as much as I’d want to manage singlehanded if your thinking of using pontoons/ marinas. Anchoring is easier for a 32ft and you’d cope with bigger. However round Britain for me meant using harbours and marinas and 32 was as much as I could manage. The Fulmar is quite roomy inside and easily held all my cruising shute/ spinnaker, sailing gear, table and cushions, clothes etc and food for 3+months (shops were readily available!). I’m not good at being without unlike some people so I like my comforts. Others have managed with less on a 26ft boat!
Great achievement and advice. Our fulmar was originally from “March hare of Arun” was her name then. Love the pink Floyd background music. Fellow fan.❤
WhiteHills is such a lovely place. Most amazing people. We had some problems, lost our propeller, and everyone helped us.
Not sure if Bertie was still there as harbourmaster he was brilliant and the feature pic on that video was taken by him! If he’s not then I’m sure he will have trained up his replacement well!
Thanks for the very interesting summary
One minor correction - if your map is correct then you actually stayed in 'Loch Tarbert' on Jura. 'West Loch Tarbert' is further to the southeast, on the west side of Kintyre.
Thanks for the comment ‘waterbuoy’. You are right it was Loch Tarbert but it was the west side of the same. I know people often anchor deeper in whereas I stayed at the western end! Thanks for the correction I hadn’t foreseen the confusion with the proper West Loch Tarbert!
Derek,
What was you STARTING and ENDING months for your 2021 UK trip?
Want to know when I should be leaving the UK before Winter sets in.
Thanks.
Robert
Hi Robert, my main consideration was to be in Scotland in June as historically that month gives fair warm weather and long days. I know this year has bucked trends! So I set off anti-clockwise from the Exe estuary in late April and got back home in mid July. If I’d had more time I’d have spent longer around the Western Isles!
Looks like a very pleasant voyage. Can I ask, how long did it take all together and what time of year was it?
I spent 3 months which allowed a whole 7 days in the Caledonian, 10 days in the Western Isles, several days in Padstow cause weather was good, and often spending a couple of days in port to chill out! I set off in April so as to have long days in Scotland in June.
Subscribed because I love those who love Floyd.
Thank you! They are the backing track to my life and loves!
@derekhathaway same here. They are my 15yo sons favorite as well. It's more than music it's art. I can see people listening to them a century from now when we are all long onto our next big adventure.
Well done. I understand you departed the Exe in April 2021, when did you arrive back? How long was your total trip?
I got back mid July. I did spend some 10days sailing around the Inner Hebrides and parts of the Western islands of Scotland. I didn’t expect to get back there so wanted to make the most of being there. I also spent a few days in Padstow. So you could do the whole thing quicker but I’d suggest taking your time if you can!
I am going to sail around the uk with my family . How long will I need ? What kind of boats do you recomand ? ❤❤❤❤
@@everythingluxury9151 wow that’s exciting - how big is your family? Numbers and ages? I took over 3 months but that’s not pushing it and taking some extra time through the Caledonian canal (worth doing!!) and in the inner Hebrides. Don’t buy a boat for speed but a solid one for comfort and space - my Westerly Fulmar ticked those boxes!
Great video. How long did the entire trip take please? A video talking about the route planning for each leg would be fascinating
I spent 3months but that included 10 days in the Western Isles on a bit of a jolly and a full week going through the Caledonian canal and you can do it quicker. Also if you are up for some overnight passages it could be a lot shorter. But it’s something to savour not rush! Good comment about including something about the planning. I’ll bear that in mind for future videos - I’m heading to Ireland next week!
@@derekhathaway really appreciate this information. I do think a video about your route planning and contingencies and also perhaps a video on how you would do it faster would be very popular. Many people would consider this but don’t have the experience to work it all out.
what was you preferences of going anti clockwise rather than clockwise?
@@Supertramp_explorer I read many opinions and there seems little benefit either way. I thought east coast was least interesting (I was wrong!) and wanted to have spare time to enjoy western isles of Scotland in June - that worked very well! I’d say toss a coin to decide!!!
Hi, Very encouraging video. I am thinking of sailing around Britain for a charity and can't afford a large boat. It would be great to get your advice on how it is done. In particular it seems important to consider the engine. Did you add a charity to your sailing?
You are so right about having a reliable motor. Although we all hope to sail much of the way the reality is that if you want to be sure of making fair progress you will need to motor or at least motor sail some passages. And of course getting in to harbours or anchoring especially singlehanded it is essential. There are several useful books out there - one by Roger Oliver Sailing solo around the UK and another by Sam Steele Circumnavigating UK & Ireland which will give you lots of advice. And of course check out my other more detailed videos of my circumnavigation.
I also did a blog which mentions the charity I raised money for as well as some of my experiences. Search for voyagesofthalmia.org
Hi very interesting video doing day sails how long did it take you. Thanks Steve
Well I was away for about 15 weeks so over 3 months but I waited in Inverness several days as my wife joined me through the Caledonian canal which we took slowly and I spent 10 days cruising the inner western isles and a another break with my wife in Padstow. The actual circumnavigation bit was probably 3 months and I wasn’t pushing myself!
Derek, inspiring video. Is your fulmar a fin or bilge keel version?
It’s bilge keels. There were a few occasions when that helped a lot - E.g. I could take the ground in an outer harbour and depart earlier / before the inner harbour with a lock was open or anchor deeper in for more shelter. Most of the time though it didn’t make a lot of difference!
Nice summary - departed April but you don’t say when you got back - how long did it take?
Thanks
Hi Christopher, I got back early July but that was partly because I spent 7 days in the Caledonian canal, 10 days in the Western isles and several days in Padstow. So could have comfortably done it in less time. Best to not be rushed especially best to have time to enjoy parts of the journey!
What draught is your vessel sir , excellent videos btw .
HI Mark, Thanks for the comment. She is bilge keel and draws just 1.2m which makes some harbours easier to access or leave at low water and dry out in places like Lindisfarne!
@@derekhathaway Loved the clips & the information , we sail the NE coast from Hartlepool , hoping to circumnavigate next year ourselves .
May I ask how you charged your batteries? And what size are they?
Hi Paul, I have 2x120ah lead acid leisure batteries and separate starter and windlass batteries. I have modest solar panel on the coach roof @c45watts which charges the leisure batteries via Victron MPPT controller (high spec panel from Solara - copes with some shade!) but also most days the motor ran entering and leaving port and often for longer! Always managed my electronics including autohelm without problem.
@@derekhathaway
Thanks for the info. I’m doing the same next year. So your video was invaluable to me.
Super-informative. Not sure about the music.
Music is a very personal thing (I’ll try something different next time!) but glad the video was informative!
AH ! a bit of Pink Floyd, how nice.
Great trip Derek but you did not sail around `Britain. A large part of Scotland was missed out including Orkney and Shetland. Still was a great achievement though.
Strictly speaking you’re right. But for a 70yr old who only took up sailing in retirement and with a wife who would only join me for a Caledonian canal transit I chose this route which I would have missed going round the top! Life is full of choices and challenges! Thank you for your comment though!
🤔🤦♂️
@derekhathaway sir, u r awesome! I have no idea what most of your words were, however, u r absolutely inspiring. 🍻
😁thank you!
A really inspiring vid, thank you, but I found the musak rather distracting.
You obviously do not enjoy quality music🤣
😊👍
🙏
Dunnet Head and Cape Wrath just too much for weather and anchorages presumably.
Actually it was decided by my non sailing wife who said she would join me for the week if I transited the Caledonian! And in the event it was definitely worth doing for the fantastic scenery and having my wife with me of course!
Respectfully, would be much easier to watch without the loud rock style music.
Sorry that was not to your taste! I’m heading to Ireland in a couple of months and I’m exploring different music options as background to my videos. Thank you for commenting.
Pink Floyd Shine on you Crazy Diamond what's not to like.