Loch Aline Harbour/Marina  01967 421783 mob 07583 800500 VHF 80

This is a lovely little loch on the mainland side of the Sound of Mull. It is, by no means, the only anchorage available in the Sound but with a NW wind in the Sound it is probably one of the better options (Ardtornish Bay looks ok but, if the wind has a westerly component, it seems to curl round into that bay).

Of course, Tobermory is the favoured anchorage/ berth in the Sound but we cover that in a separate article. Loch Aline is almost exactly half way between Oban and Tobermory and can be a useful stopping point on passage between the two, especially if encountering unexpected headwinds and the tide is also about to turn on you! Of course you could always start your engine in those circumstances!

The wind in the Loch bears no relationship to the wind outside the loch so it’s probably best to wait until you are in to decide which side provides the best shelter.  The presence of the new pontoons will make it a viable alternative to Tobermory as a passage point being two hours closer to Fort William if heading for the Canal (and the Corran Narrows)

We have given a way point on the leading line into the loch....

.... but for choice lean towards the West side of that lead in line and be aware of the set of the tide in the Sound. Also be aware that whatever wind is blowing in the Sound you may very well encounter an entirely different (and illogical) wind blowing through the entrance to the loch. 

Be careful when planning a passage in the Sound; the flood runs NW ie if you are running south west with the ebb in the Lyn of Morvern or the Lyn of Lorn and turn the corner to go up the Sound, you will run into the ebb coming down the Sound against you (that’s why there is a tide rip at the entrance to the Lynn of Morvern) and likewise, if running down the Sound from Tobermory on the ebb and turn to go up towards Fort William you will find yourself running into the ebb coming out of the Lyn of Morvern; you need to time your passage to arrive at that junction at slack water to make the most of the tides. The current at the entrance to Loch Aline can run at up to 2kts on Springs so that can be an added complication if planning on heading northwards.

You need to keep a weather eye out for the ferry which plies between Lochaline and Fishnish on the other side of the Sound; it’s fairly obvious when it’s in the middle of the Sound but when it’s discharging or loading at Lochaline it can be an anxiety as it does not announce its impending departure, the water just boils at the stern and it reverses out into the passageway!! 

Basically it is a fairly easy place to enter, there’s at least 2.5 metres at LWS and, although the Admiralty chart shows overfalls throughout the passage you will only encounter these at the peak of the ebb or flood and then only if the wind opposes the tide.

Inside the loch you have quite a few options for clewing up for the night;

Increasingly, many boats make for the new facility on the west bank which provides all the services that you would expect of a marina with the exception of gas and diesel; they are charging £3.30 per metre in 2022; they also have ten moorings laid in a line to the North of the pontoons. The moorings have pick up bridles, are yellow and marked with a "V" and will cost you £17 a night . Other than that you can anchor up on both the NE and NW side of the loch; the anchorage marked on the chart in the SE corner is crowded with permanent moorings and is probably not an option.

Once inside the loch and looking for somewhere to drop your pick it’s best to stay in the middle of the loch after you pass the PHM buoy near the sand mine jetty.  There’s a rusty iron perch on the East side and another perch further up to port. You’ll see boats anchored/moored in the little bay on the port side and, on the starboard side a bit further up, off the boat houses.

If making for the port side anchorage stay well out into the middle because of the reef extending out into the loch and look for a large isolated rock on the fore shore (see the photo in our gallery) before sounding into the bay, and, whatever you do, do not pass between the perch and the west shore (there be dragons).  We are informed by Bob Bradfield of Antares Charts that he has discovered a further rock 20 yards OUTSIDE that perch and that is now in his chart folio.








On the East side, once clear of the Sgair nan Baig, you can ease towards the other boats off the boat houses.  A point to note is that from here (the boathouses) , to get to the shop/pub at the village of Lochaline on the west side of the entrance, you’ll have a long trek around the north side of the loch or need an outboard on your tender; there is nothing on the East side of the loch

Although there is fuel and both Calor and Camping gas refills available at the garage in the village, from anchor it is a long walk; on the other hand the marina has now improved the access road to the village so it would not be such a hike from there.  Other than that, the village shop is well stocked and even opens for a while on a Sunday.

The facilities in the Marina building are modern and impressive and would grace a four star hotel.  As well as toilets they have a laundrette and showers (coin op £1 for 4 minutes) It is worth noting that the Marina is happy for you to tie up and use their facilities for three hours (£5.00) A bit of careful planning and you can see that while the crew showers and does the laundry the skipper can do the onerous task of running some cans up to the garage (next door to the pub!)

There are two hotel/restaurant/bars in the village; the Dive centre has a very good, informal eatery/café and there is a snack bar servicing the ferry arrivals/departures.

The Dive centre also has Wifi.

The castle gardens at the head of the loch are beautiful, especially when the rhoddies and azaleas are in bloom.

For further information see

http://www.scottishanchorages.co.uk/#/loch-aline/4533048969
 

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