Celtic

Mark’s undertook a four year quest to visit every HM around Great Britain
and its offshore Islands and raise funds for the Seafarers’ Trust along the way. In 2023 he turned his attention to Ireland and was so impressed that he is already planning a return visit. Find out why he loved it so much, what not to miss and how to make it as enjoyable as possible with the Celtic Sections final webinar of winter 2024.

Anglesey sits at the centre of the Irish Sea and The Isle of Man at the centre of the Northern part - almost equidistant between the NW coast of England, Anglesey and Belfast or Dublin. For most they provide a single stop on the way to Scotland but they both provide considerable options as a cruising destination. Both of Celtic origin, Anglesey has a strong Norman influence while the Isle of Man, more of a Viking history. Given time the speaker may also stray over to the Lancashire and Cumbrian coast.

The west and north coasts of the British Isles offer some of the finest cruising grounds in the world. The scenery is spectacular, the wildlife abundant and the costs  low by South Coast standards.

Discover the joys of cruising Orkney and Shetland from HLRs Mike Cooper and Andrew Halcrow. Mike Lives in Kirkwall and has cruised the island group for many years and is the author of much of the excellent cruising advice on the Orkney Marinas website. Andrew is based in Shetland and is a former skipper of Swan, a sailing training vessel owned by the Shetland based Swan Trust. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about cruising this rich and remote area from two such knowledgeable local sailors.

Date: Thursday 16th March
Time: 19:00
Venue - via Zoom

The crew: John and Maggie. The boat: 1992 Moody 44.  The plan: Leave Preston early June, destination Plymouth by summer's end. The cruise: Our maiden voyage, a slow exploration of unfamiliar Irish waters. The secret hope: visiting the Isles of Scilly, did we get there?

The Firth of Clyde is an extensive cruising area, benefitting from good shelter and gentle tides. With good transport links and many major marinas it is the most accessible cruising ground in Scotland. Yet with 8 major islands, including spectacular Arran, extensive sea lochs reaching far into the hills, and countless beautiful anchorages, the Clyde is an ideal introduction to cruising in Scotland.

Our speaker Alan Kohler, joint Celtic Secretary, winters his boat at Largs. He will give a guide to the best places to visit, packed with spectacular photos as usual.

For many people, a circumnavigation of Great Britain is on their Bucket List and recent disruption to European Travel has been the push to get on and do it. Starting with Sam Steel, author of "UK and Ireland Circumnavigator's Guide." you know that you are in good hands. The speakers have at least 9 circumnavigations under their belts between them, and so they are ideally placed to advise where to go - and also where not to bother.

This webinar will be a broadcast of the recording of the three Celtic Section presentations last year.

11:00 - Kintyre to Ardnamurchan ‐ Derek Lumb

14:00 - Ardnamurchan to Cape Wrath ‐ Bob Bradfield

16:00 - The Outer Hebrides ‐ Alan Kohler

Where possible, the speaker will be available to answer questions after the talk.

Date: Sunday 30 January 2022

Time: 11:00

Place: Your own home or boat (Zoom webinar)

This webinar will be a broadcast of the recording of the two presentations by Norman Kean last year. The first, An Introduction to Cruising the South and West Coasts of Ireland will start at 14:00. and the second, An Introduction to Cruising the East and North Coasts of Ireland will start at 16:00.

Norman is the Editor of the Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions, frequent contributor to Yachting Monthly and has extensive knowledge and experience of this area.

Where possible, the speaker will be available to answer questions after the talk.

Although this talk covers an area outside the Celtic Area, the North Sea section is dormant and many Celtic Sailors come and/or go via the East Coast and Caledonian Canal. Mark is slowly sailing round Britain and interviewing every Harbour Master on the way. He has visited the largest and smallest harbours and his insight into the east coast is fascinating.

Date: Thursday 3 March 2022