Scottish anchorages

A curiously industrial wasteland, not attractive at all, but you can get moorings if you are stuck at Creran Marine which thankfully has had a proper loading pontoon since 2010 (ph 01631 720253). Sustrans, that incredibly important charity dedicated to linking up the whole of the UK with safe cycle tracks, are converting the old railway between Oban and Ballachulish to a cycle track which, rather than a quite busy road, is a much better way to walk the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, it takes about half an hour (ph 01631 720386). This place is worth a look, particularly for the fish, shell fish and other sea animals found in the area which are very well displayed. Miss the shop and cafeteria, don't bother with the seals unless one happens to be in the seal hospital because you will have seen plenty in the wild anyway, but the otters are fun to look at although they are not the indigenous European breed but North American and so more active during the day (at least when I was last there). For the kids there are slides and swings, and a small adventure play ground, so a useful distraction from cramped on board life - but do not walk them there down the main road.

Another possibility, but for the grown ups, is a meal at the Barcaldine House Hotel (ph 01631 720219) which is an easy walk - but it does look a bit posh for boaties and I have not been there myself (the lunch is a lot cheaper than the dinner). And you do have to walk through the dispiriting surroundings of the boat yard to get there. Also beware, in 2011 there was loads of trouble, staff not being paid, but maybe a new owner is taking over. And in 2102 it was up for sale, so who knows what is going on.