Yachting Information



			YACHTING INFORMATION Facilities One Shower and toilets plus wash-machine and dryer available at Rona Lodge. Charges apply. Fresh water at the pier, supply from the Rona Lodge water tank, filtered and UV treated. Communications VHF radio, call sign ‘Rona Lodge’ on channel: 12/16 Good VHF coverage is available from Stornoway Coastguard from aerials located on Skye. Mobile telephone coverage is good but there are some 'black spots' Best observed provider is Vodaphone.









			Jetty at Acairseid Mhor The new pontoon and jetty is now complete. It is for safer disembarking and embarking for Estate staff and visitors to the Estate business and holiday cottages.
			Other vessels wishing to use the pontoon should call ' Rona Lodge' on the VHF or call at the Lodge. Dinghy tie up is permitted, leave the east side clear for ferry use. Please be aware of the pontoon mooring buoys, marking the mooring chains which lie between the buoys and the pontoon, when laying anchors.
			Tides The harbour can be used normally at all states of the tide, although the entrance can be very shallow. Use good practice and check before arrival! Chart Admiralty chart 1:50,000 No 2210 Please note that the Island of Rona take no responsibility for this information that is offered for guidance only! As a prudent sailor check with the relevant authorities for up to date information before starting your passage. Please see the website www.clyde.org for further information 2004 – Yacht Race to Rona Friday evening arrivals On the 25^th of June the Kyle Yacht club ran the inaugural ‘Race to Rona’. A full complement of yachts left Kyle in somewhat calm conditions which gradually became calmer. Mid evening, on approaching the North end of Raasay the race was brought to a close and all yachts made their way to Big Harbour on the Island of Rona. This was the most vessels in Big Harbour in one night for a very long time if not the first, between support boats and yachts some 20 vessels were moored or tied up to the pontoon. A barbecue had been set up by earlier arrivals and a substantial feast was prepared. Music in the form of a piper and fiddler arrived to kick off a very enjoyable evening. As the sun set over Big Harbour a social gathering took place in glorious weather, the likes of which had not been seen before. A late night ensued and at three o’clock the remaining stragglers got off to bed. As usual the West Coast weather did not let us down and the yachts left in apprehensive mood as a bad forecast had been received. Some did not make the start and others who started had to pull in the sails. It was however, a great success and the Island of Rona looks forward to welcoming the Kyle Yacht Club back next year. Ready for the celeidh!!