Celtic

Welcome to the Celtic Section

The Celtic section was launched in October 2013. Section members who sail in our waters come from all over the UK and Ireland and also continental Europe.

The Celtic Section Area

The Celtic Section covers the waters from Land’s End to Cape Wrath, and around Ireland. This area is one of the most demanding but rewarding in Northern Europe. We have tides which range from 13m in the Bristol Channel (the second highest tidal range in the world) to an amphidrome off Islay (an area of no tidal range). The landscape is simply breathtaking, ranging from the West Coast of Ireland to the West Coast of Scotland, with the coasts of North Cornwall and the mountains of Snowdonia and the Lake District as a backdrop. For those more used to the marinas of the Channel it comes as something of a revelation to find that sheltered anchorages abound and in the remoter areas it is not too difficult to be alone there.

Recent years have seen the development in Scotland of a number of community run pontoons making stocking up, watering and charging your batteries easier than in the past.

Despite the remoteness of some areas the standard and value for money of eating out is a revelation and the co-operative movement has not only provided a lifeline in some of the remoter areas its "buy local" policy is delivering ingredients of amazing quality.

Being part of our Section

Apart from the members who have their boats in the Celtic Seas, and frequently make substantial trips within the area, we are also of interest to the many sailors who flock to our waters in the summer months, round Land’s End, through the Caledonian Canal, and even braving the Pentland Firth from the East Coast and Continental Ports.

Forthcoming Events

Celtic Chat & Share - Cruising Scotland
Date: 28/11/2024

An interactive Chat & Share session focussed on Cruising in Scotland. Rather than a formal presentation, this is intended as an opportunity for CA members who have...

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Sailing in Celtic Waters - All day seminar
Date: 18/01/2025

This year we will be exploring the full range of the beautiful Celtic waters, including the less frequently visited Western edges!   Speakers will include:- Norman Kean: author of the...

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Scilly to the Isle of Man - webinar - Robin Baron & Derek Lumb
Date: 30/01/2025

CA President Robin Baron will talk about cruising Scilly. (NEVER the Scillies!) This archipelago out into the Atlantic, off the SW tip of Cornwall, provides a delightful cruising area. The weather is...

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Mission: Out Stack (the full stop at the end of Britain) - Webinar
Date: 27/02/2025

Simon and Fiona Hampton-Mathews recount a tale of a loop around the top of Scotland with the ship's cat, wildlife in unexpected places, an unintended extensive exploration of Stromness and a broken...

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The Western Isles and the Firth of Clyde, from the Viking age to 1300: Frances Bickerstaff - Webinar
Date: 27/03/2025

The history of the Western Isles is fascinating but complex – rarely taught in schools and often a mystery even to Scots.  The Vikings travelled (marauded!) and settled extensively across Celtic...

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To see all seminars and lectures see here, or the calendar of all events see here.

Interested in Finding out More?

Please contact the Section Secretary, Derek Lumb, at celtic@theca.org.uk or
CA staff at office@theca.org.uk or +44 (0) 20 7537 2828.

Cruising Sections

Baltic

Covers the Baltic Sea, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Faroes. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.

Biscay

Covers Western France, Spain and Portugal as well as crossing Biscay. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.

Blue Water

For those sailing outside of European waters. Holds a popular Blue Water seminar in the summer.

Celtic

Covers waters from Land’s End to Cape Wrath. Meets at various west coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.

Channel

For those cruising the south coast of the UK, Channel Islands, and France from the Belgian border to NW Brittany. Holds an annual seminar and summer rally/cruise-in-company.

European Inland Waterways

Covers over 30,000 km of navigable rivers and canals passing through over 20 countries. Annual seminar and lunch each autumn at CA House.

Mediterranean

Covers the Mediterranean from Spain and Morocco in the west to the Levant in the east, and includes the Black Sea. Meets at CA House in the winter, and afloat in the summer.

Motorboat

The Motorboat Section aims to bring together motorboaters where ever they are and whatever type of motorboating they enjoy.

North Sea

Covers the UK, Belgian and Dutch coasts. Meets at East Coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.

Local / UK Sections

Antipodean

For members who live in Australia and New Zealand and who sail in the Northern Hemisphere.

CA London

CA London events are held at our Limehouse HQ.

Essex

Meetings held at Blackwater Sailing Club and mid-week lunches arranged.

Kent

Kent Section's 'Winter Warmers', talks by a variety of speakers, will be held via Zoom for the forseeable future.

Solent

Summer rallies with weekend meets. Winter talks with ‘club’ suppers usually at a Hamble yacht club or marina.

South West

For members living in or cruising the areas from Portland Bill to the Isles of Scilly and along the north coast of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to Bristol.

Suffolk

Joint meetings are arranged with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club at Woolverstone.

Thames Valley

Winter talks are held in partnership with the Gerrards Cross Sailing Association (GXSA) at Colston Hall at The Memorial Centre in Gerrards Cross.

Wessex

Talks are held at Lilliput Sailing Club, Poole.

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