Gairloch harbour

Gairloch Harbour is located at the southern end of the village, in the north-eastern part of Flowerdale Bay, within the sea area of Loch Gairloch. It is an active working port, regularly used by both local and east coast fishing vessels, particularly in the evenings. The harbour plays a key role in supporting the inshore fishing industry.

Around 60 metres of pontoons have been installed to accommodate visiting vessels. These modern facilities enhance the harbour’s appeal as a destination for recreational boating and yachting.

Harbour boundary 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

View harbour chart

Resources available

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

Out of hours service by arrangement with the Harbour Master

Vessels permitted

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

Maximum vessel sizes permitted

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

Safe anchorages

• Small vessels can anchor north of Longa Island during southerly gales. This area is not suitable in westerly winds
• Larger vessels will find good holding 7 cables ESE of Longa Island, proven effective during a north-west gale (e.g. HMS Stuart, 1800 tonnes, 1932)
• Small craft can anchor at Caolas Bad a’Chrotha (57° 42.2’ N, 05° 43.3’ W), between Fraoch Eilean and the mainland to the southwest, with depths of up to 24 metres mid-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