This month we visit a Five Gold Anchor marina situated on Scotland’s west coast, which is known for its sheltered cruising and racing.
Situated in the scenic waters of the Firth of Clyde, only 35 minutes from both Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick International Airports, Largs is not only a charming seaside town, but also a beautiful setting for many watersports activities. Here at the heart of the Scottish boating scene, Largs Yacht Haven is a hive of activity and only 60 minutes from Glasgow.
With its many islands and clear waters, the Firth of Clyde and Scottish west coast is a boating mecca. The area is rich with marine life from porpoises to dolphins, basking sharks and seals, as well as offering a rich history at every turn. Whether you pass through for the season, or you stop to enjoy the area for years to come, the Scottish west coast is not to be missed.
FACILITIES & BERTHING
Boaters can be assured of a friendly and helpful customer service at Largs Yacht Haven, 24 hours a day. With more than 700 pontoon berths, a minimum depth throughout of -2.5m CD and visitor berths to welcome the passing sailor, Largs Yacht Haven ticks the boxes for modern facilities.
Alongside this are all of the comforting and practical conveniences that Yacht Haven’s customers have come to expect as standard – 24 hour service for gas oil, petrol and gas, free showers and Wi-Fi combined with friendly and helpful customer service – synonymous with Yacht Havens.
– 730 full tide berths
– Free Wi-Fi, plus water and electricity on every berth
– Space ashore for 330 boats
– Slipway and dry berthing for RIBs/motorboats up to 8m LOA
– 70 ton and 75 ton boat hoists
– On-site chandlery, Volvo Penta engineers, riggers and sail makers
– Popular racing and social programme through Largs Sailing Club
– On-water fuel, gas and sewage pump out open 24/7
– Award-winning Scotts restaurant and coffee shop
CRUISING
The sailing waters on the west of Scotland are renowned as some of the finest in the world for majestic beauty, rugged scenery, incredible wildlife and tasty seafood, not to mention Scotland’s national drink, whisky.
The Firth of Clyde has endless anchorages and harbours to explore, all sheltered by the Kintyre Peninsula. The islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae are all within a day’s sail of the marina and offer the visitor “Scotland in miniature” – castles, wildlife and coastal walks. The picturesque fishing harbours of Tarbert and Rothesay offer their own unique atmosphere, bars and shops. With a minimal tidal range and a huge variety of destinations you can go sailing whatever the weather.
Most of the destinations have visitor moorings or landing pontoons with excellent seafood restaurants and characterful pubs, and even whisky distilleries on Islay and Jura.
The Crinan Canal links the Clyde to the west coast and more open sailing. Alternatively, Northern Ireland is a good day’s sail away round the Mull of Kintyre.
SAILING AT LARGS
Home to Largs Sailing Club, the Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club, Fairlie Yacht Club and a range of charter businesses, together they offer many opportunities to get involved in racing and cruising.
Furthermore, Largs offers three on-site slipways, fuelling for RIBs and dedicated motorhome parking. As a result, Largs plays host to a wide range of events from the Optimist Nationals to the stunning Fife Regatta.
In 2023, Largs will host the One Design Weekend, Scottish 707 Championships as well as the annual Largs Regatta Festival in late-August. One of the biggest regattas in Scotland, Largs Regatta Festival is one of the few events to combine dinghy, keelboat and yacht racing around buoys and round the islands. It also includes the Scottish Two Handed Race round Arran.
THINGS TO DO
The town of Largs is a tourist hotspot with families attracted by the town’s famous ice-cream parlour Nardinis, Viking history and the town’s ferry to Cumbrae. Adjacent to the Yacht Haven is Kelburn Castle and Country Centre, the historic home of the Earls of Glasgow since the 12th century, which also runs many events and festivals throughout the summer aimed at family fun. Within the marina village, you will find the recently extended Scotts Restaurant & Bar, the Bosun’s Table Coffee Shop as well as a range of specialist marine shops and services.
RECOMMENDATIONS
“Largs is the perfect sailing venue. The spectacular scenery, good race management, shore entertainment and, of course, the infamous ice-cream makes for a fun regatta, whatever the age.”
Shirley Robertson OBE, Olympic sailor and yachting presenter
“Largs Yacht Haven is a true watersports centre; a nautical village in its own right. Largs Yacht Haven and Largs Sailing Club have helped put Largs on the map as a watersports destination with international allure. Largs Yacht Haven breathes respect for nature… it is green in both the literal and figurative sense. Environmental awareness is obvious throughout the marina, while the marina manager and marina team lead by example.”
The Yacht Harbour Association Assessor
MORE INFORMATION
Irvine Road, Largs, Ayrshire KA30 8EZ
Tel 01475 675333 | VHF Channel 37 or 80
www.yachthavens.com
Largs@yachthavens.com
facebook.com/largsyachthavenscotland
twitter.com/yachthavenlargs
Instagram.com/yacht_havens
