Scottish anchorages

Why would anyone want to sail up to the head of this loch, just to tack (probably) back down it again? Well, it is very pretty to start off with; lots of deciduous woods hiding well planted conifer plantations and nicely kept fields stretching down to the water's edge. At the head of the loch, right up at the end, there is a rather charming if somewhat beaten up anchorage with some rusting hulks (four in the graveyard at my last count), a fishermen's pier, lots of wild flowers and probably no other visiting yacht to disturb the peace. This is undoubtedly the tradesman's entrance to the village of Tarbert, half an hour walk up quite a busy road, where there are plenty of Clyde yachts but a surprisingly dull village, considering how it prides itself as such a boating centre. The harbour wall is a 'Telford', so a touch of quality. The one supermarket is so crushed up that the baked bean tins seem to want to take over the aisles which are certainly not for shoppers. The fishmonger only had frozen prawns, here of all places with shellfish all around. The tearoom on the front doesn't welcome push chairs in the summer and a lady shop keeper said I would be lucky to find fresh cream in Tarbert. However, Cafebarge arrived in 2010 - a vegetarian and seafood restaurant on a Dutch Barge in the harbour. Looks good, but I have yet to try it.

So not really a village to dally in, but useful for crew changes as there is a bus to Glasgow. And the anchorage is a nice sheltered place to hang around in. The West Loch Hotel, originally an 18th Century coaching inn, is about five minutes walk towards Tarbert and although not a jolly bar, does very good sit down at a proper table bar meals and much the same thing in the restaurant at higher prices (ph 01880 820283). It is very child friendly and has lots of vegetarian choices. Certainly worth a trip ashore if you are fed up with your own cooking.