Dunstaffnage meet May 2020?

[Rory C]

Last time I was at Mylor for a Swallow event it occurred to me that Dunstaffnage Marina www.dunstaffnagemarina.co.uk and the adjacent Wide Mouthed Frog Hotel would be a good place to have a gathering of Swallow owners which is more accessible to those of us who are based North of "Watford Gap".
Over the last 4 years a small group of us have cruised together in the Oban area and have visited many of the lovely anchorages ranging from Loch Ness, N of Mallaig, to The Sound of Iona, West of Mull, in our BR 20 boats.  In doing so we have never come across any other Swallows and are keen to share some of our knowledge with others.
The biggest problem that we have come across is to find a good base from which to explore the area where there is  secure parking for cars and trailers close to a slipway. Dunstaffnage Marina does tick this box and the facilities at "The Frog" make it an excellent venue for socialising in the manner of Mylor gatherings. I am offering to co-ordinate an informal meet there in the week beginning Sunday May 17th or the following Monday. The date is chosen as it leads up to Sail Caledonia which starts on the 23rd and which usually includes a Swallow or two.
As an informal meet there will be no racing, no safety boat nor fixed programme but shore based advice on many of the places that can be explored from Dunstaffnage. I have retired from the rigours of the 'wild camping' enjoyed over the last 4 years and Mary will be my crew (as long as the weather is reasonable) and we will be based at The Frog each night.
I am posting this proposal now as I would like to find out how many owners might be interested in trailing to Dunstaffnage for a gathering of this sort next May. The Frog Hotel opens its bookings at the beginning of November each year and they say that they get booked up quickly for May being well before the worst of the infamous Scottish Midge season! Depending on the level of interest I can explore the option of set menus at The Frog etc.
If you are interested in joining in such a meet, please indicate through this S Y Forum. It will be up to each owner to book for their own needs but I may be able to negotiate group rates in advance if there is enough interest. An expression of interest will of course not be binding and anyway I will not be crystallizing any arrangements before mid October.
Rory C BRe 25 Gobhlan-Gaoithe

[Mikecambray]

Hi Rory
I'm interested. I've launched frequently from Dunstaffnage, although I noticed quite a lot of demand for pontoon space this week. We'd be live aboard rather than shore based. Keep me posted as plans and dates develop. I'm Cumbria based but most of my sailing is west coast Scotland .

Cheers,

Mike

[jonno]

Hi Rory

A great idea! We'll come. Thanks.

John

[Matthew P]

Thanks for co-coordinating this event Rory.  Dunstaffnage is a great base to explore the inland seas and Lochs east of Mull.

I hope to bring Mrs Peacock and although we will join social events at the Wide Mouthed Frog we will find our own local accommodation on shore when not camping on the boat over-night in one of the many lovely wild anchorages in the area.

Matthew
BR20 Gladys

[Rob Johnstone]

Rory,
What a brilliant idea - and thanks for organising it. Sadly, I'm boatless but would like to take part - would anyone offer me a crew space?

Rob J

[Mark Bradshaw]

Rory

Had planned to sail out of Largs in May (for the first time) but would be happy to change venue so please count me in. Never sailed north of the border so far so would be great to be in company.

Will stay tuned over the Winter,

Cheers

Mark Bradshaw

BRe #76 "Franziska"

[Graham W]

Rory,

I'm definitely up for it.  Our circumnavigation of Mull in 2017 was one of the highlights of my ownership of Turaco (so far).

[Charles Scott]

Sounds wonderful, but in the middle of the mayfly season. Any possibility of making it the week after Sail Caledonia instead of before?

[Rory C]

Sorry Charles, I am committed to the week before Sail Caledonia for a number of reasons as I believe are some of the other 'seasoned' supporters. Rory.

[Charles Scott]

Thanks for that Rory, I thought it  was probably too much of an ask! Even so, I may still be interested, so put me on the "maybe" list for the time being.

[John Perry]

Expression of interest, at the moment! Sounds a great idea, I just need to start thinking about 2020 plans 

[Rory C]

  A quick up-date to say that Mary and I are booked in to stay at "the Frog" from Sunday evening (May 17) until the following Saturday morning. If all goes to the current plan we'll launch on Sunday afternoon ready for a sail on Monday morning.
As indicated before, the intention is to be very informal with Gobhlan doing day sails on each day that the weather is reasonable. Others may feel the call of peaceful anchorages to spend nights away and there is no obligation to spend time in Dunstaffnage but it would be good to get together for at least one evening together to share Swallow based yarns over the odd jar!
It's nice to see that a number of folk have already expressed interest. If you are still considering it and are looking for further information on where you can explore look at Imray chart C65. If you splash out on the Clyde Cruising Club "Kintyre to Ardnamurchan" Pilot you will be convinced that one day you must bring your boat to these waters!
The winter solstice is less than a month away so now is the time to plan for next season.
Rory

[MarkDarley]

Mark and Suzanne of "Pippin", wooden Bayraider 20 based on the Dart, also expressing interest. 

We had planned to explore visiting friends on Muck that week and could well work this in prior to Sail Caledonia (with brothers again). Keep us in the loop.
MarkDarley@mac.com

[martinrobertpeart]

Hi, we've just purchased BRE 43 from Reedham and will be based in Mylor, the meet sounds really interesting and so, tentatively we'd like to come along, just need to look at how we can arrange it all. Be back in contact after the new year to confirm. Martin and Julie

[TimLM]

Rory,
What a brilliant idea - and thanks for organising it. Sadly, I'm boatless but would like to take part - would anyone offer me a crew space?

Rob J

Hi Rob I'm going to Dunstaffnage and would be delighted for you to join me on Papagena for all or some of the days, Tim