Harbours

Gairloch harbour

Gairloch harbour

Gairloch harbour is at the south end of the village and the north-east portion of Flowerdale Bay, within the sea area of Loch Gairloch. It is a working port where both local and east coast fishing boats land most evenings. It is a busy port for inshore fishing.

Approximately 60 metres of pontoons have been installed. The new pontoons actively encourage visiting boats and make Gairloch harbour an attractive yachting destination.

Harbour details

Position

  • Latitude: 57° 42.6’ North
  • Longitude: 05° 41.3’ West

Harbour area

All waters below the level of MHWS commencing at:

  • Seanna-Chreag – Latitude 57° 42.609’ N, Longitude 05° 41.345’ W; thence in an ESE’ly direction for a distance of 515 metres to
  • Goban Innis a Ghobhainn – Latitude 57° 42.562’ N, Longitude 05° 40.829’ W; on the level of MHWS

Resources

  • Fuel oil storage tank which has 56,000 litre capacity
  • Waste oil reception facilities

Out of hours service by arrangement with the Harbour Master

Draft alongside pier

MHWS 10.0 metres
MLWS 5.0 metres
MHWN 8 metres
MLWN 7.0 metres

Draft alongside pontoons

Approximately 2 metres to 6 metres

Information on this website is not to be used for navigational purposes. Harbour Masters should always be contacted prior to vessels approaching the harbour.

Types of vessel

  • Fishing vessels
  • RNLI
  • Customs cutters
  • Fishery protection
  • Leisure
  • Royal Navy

Safe anchorages

Small vessels can be anchored North of Longa Island during Southerly gales, but is not suitable during Westerly winds.

Good anchorage for larger vessels exists 7 cables ESE of Longa Island with proven (HMS Stuart 1800 tonnes 1932) good holding found during a North-West gale.

Small craft anchorages can be found at:

Caolas Bad a’Chrotha (57° 42.2’ N, 05° 43.3’ W) situated between Fraoch Eilean and the mainland SW, depths of 24 metres in the middle of the bay.

Obstructions

Mariners are advised that an examination of aerial photography indicates that numerous dangerous underwater rocks, with less than 2m of water over them, exist within Loch Gairloch. The most significant are in the following positions:

  1. In the vicinity of Eilean Horrisdale:
    57° 42.49’ N, 5° 43’ W
    57° 42.50’ N, 5° 43.26W
    57° 42.42’ N, 5° 43.60’ W
    57° 42.28’ N, 5° 43.36’ W
    57° 42.15’ N, 5° 43.2’ W
  2. An obstruction also exists in position
    57° 42.10’ N, 5° 43.13’ W
  3. Southwestwards of Fraoch Eilean:
    57° 41.93’ N, 5° 41.87’W
    57° 41.90’ N, 5° 41.82’ W
    57° 41.88’ N, 5° 41.79’ W
  4. In Loch Sheildaig
    57° 41.71’ N, 5° 41.53’ W
    57° 41.71’ N, 5° 41.48’ W
    57° 41.67’ N, 5° 41.21’ W
    57° 41.67’ N, 5° 41.46’ W
    57° 41.67’ N, 5° 41.40’ W
    57° 41.64’ N, 5° 41.32’ W
    57° 41.52’ N, 5° 41.03’ W
  5. Off Rubha nan Eanntag:
    57° 42.09’N, 5° 40.86’ W
  6. Off Auchtercairn
    57° 43.55’ N, 5° 41.68’ W

Mariners area advised to navigate with caution in these areas.

Harbour personnel

John Macleod, Harbour Master

David Seddon, Harbours Manager

Joseph Mackay, Marine Superintendent

For all other enquiries please contact Harbours HQ by email at: harbours@highland.gov.uk

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