Wanderer Scotland 2026
Wanderer Scotland – Tighnabruaich Fri 5 – Sun 7 June
Tighnabruaich Sailing School, Carry Farm, Tighnabruaich PA21 2AH
Wanderer Scotland Cruising
Wanderers with Isle of Arran in the background
Join for us three days sailing in one of the best dinghy cruising locations in the British Isles. It is well worth the journey. In each of the last two years, we had three days of glorious sunshine making for perfect sailing conditions. At Tighnabruaich it gets dark just before 11pm in June.
We will be based at Tighnabruaich Sailing School at Carry Farm on the West Kyles four miles south of Tighnabruaich. The Kyles of Bute separate Bute from the Scottish mainland. They are one of the most scenic areas in Scotland.
Sailing Plans
View over West Kyle
Each day depending on the weather we plan to make day cruises of 15 to 20 miles stopping at a remote a beach for a picnic lunch.
From Carry Farm, we can sail in three different directions:
1. North up the West Kyle to Tighnabruaich and beyond
2. South round Ardlamont Point then up Loch Fyne to remote beaches
3. South along the Bute Shore to St Ninan’s Bay or round the Isle of Inchmarnock.
Sailing south from Carry Farm offers the feeling of being out in the open sea. Loch Fyne is 4 miles wide. There are eight miles of water separating us from the Isle of the Arran and its mountains.. We should see plenty of wildlife, including seals.
West Kyle
For a short day we could sail across the West Kyle to beaches on the Isle of Bute, sail to the pub at Kames or stop inTighnabruaich.
The Sailing School will be providing safety boat cover for us of each of the three days and sailing advice if needed. Their help and local knowledge have proved invaluable in running the event. Safety boat cover means we can sail further to remote locations than otherwise.
Discussing the day’s plans
Carry Farm
Situated on the shores of the West Kyle, the 66 acre, Carry Farm offers camping, space for camper vans and four holiday lodges, all overlooking the sea. The farm has its own beach where you can enjoy a swim in water warmed by the Gulf Stream. There are so showers and laundry facilities.
The farm’s animals include rare Hebridean sheep, goats, donkeys and hens. You may see Red Squirrels in the woods, oystercatchers and eider ducks on the shore, and butterflies in the wildflower rich grassland.
Staying at Carry Farm
There are luxury self- catering lodges (book early) , £583 for three days
Camping is £15 per person per night with a water side view.There is space for camper vans.
Camping at Carry Farm
To book contact the farm direct https://www.carryfarm.co.uk
Other accommodation in the area
There is also accommodation nearby at Kames, Tighnabruaich and Portavadie Marina
Tighnabruaich
Tighnabruaich grew up as a select resort for the wealthy of Glasgow with large Victorian villas lining the shore. Up till 1960s when the road from the west was built, the steamer was the main means of getting to the village. PSS Waverley still regularly visits the village. There are palm trees in the gardens. The Kyles are popular with yachts.
Other activities in the area
The walk along the shoreside single-track road to Kames is very pleasant. From Tighnabruaich you can walk east along the shore for several miles through woods. Other walks in the area tend to be rougher. Kilbride Beach on the other side of the peninsula is well worth visiting (You could go swimming).Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute has a stunning interior and beautiful walled gardens. Benmore Botanic Gardens with their giant redwoods are within driving distance. PortavadieMarina has a spa and swimming pool. From Portavadie, you can catch the ferry to Tarbet.
Evening Plans
Each evening, we plan to go to a local pub or restaurant. If it is sunny on one day we may have a barbecue on the beach
Combine the Event with a long holiday in Scotland
You could combine the event with a longer holiday in Scotland for example visiting the Isle of Islay with itsdistilleries unspoilt and beaches or climb the Arrochar Alpes to the north. You should be able to leave your boat at the Sailing School during the week
Scottish Wanderer Championship at Cramond, near Edinburgh June 13/14th
The Scottish Wanderer Championship event at Cramond near Edinburgh is the weekend after. You could be the next Scottish National Champion. Cramond featured in the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Getting to Tighnabruaich
Whilst Tighnabruaich is a long way from anywhere, it is well worth the drive. Whichever way you come the last part of the drive is very scenic. You can either catch the ferry across the Clyde from Gourock (the return ticket is about half price if you buy it in advance through the Western Ferries website) ordrive along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond round the head of Loch Long over the Rest and Be Thankful Pass and down the Cowal Peninsula.
Bookings:
The price for the event is
£25 per person per day
£25 for boat storage on Thursday night
The price helps us cover the cost of providing safety boat cover for the weekend
For further info alasdairsimpson2@gmail.com
To book your boat entry and make payment use the WCOA website below choosing tickets for the days you will attend as well as the Event Participation Ticket. Please let alasdairsimpson2@gmail.comalasdairsimpson2@gmail.com know you are coming.
If you do not plan bringing your own dinghy we might be able to find you a place of another boat
You MUST include the free EVENT PARTICIPATION ticket with the necessary declarations completed.
The relevant documents can be accessed here:
- WCOA EVENT RISK STATEMENT DECLARATION
- DATA PROTECTION and USE OF IMAGES of YOU and YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TAKING PART
- MEDICAL INFORMATION AND IMPAIRMENTS
- WCOA Safer Cruising Guidelines
