Hello from Scotland

[Orla]

We are Dougie & Trish MacDonald, we live full time on our Lafitte 44 Orla.
I noticed on another thread that Bob Perry posted a picture of her on here

We have lived aboard for 5 years now exploring the West Coast of Scotland, during that time we have completely re-fitted her and she is now as good as the day she was built, we have also learnt to sail her and maintain her (our first boat) and enjoyed every minute of it.
This will probably be our last year in the UK, we are heading for Ireland for the summer, then who knows. Canada, States, Greenland, Norway, Iceland.

We are a good team together Trish & I, and now looking forward to new horizons.

Looking forward to getting involved.

Dougie & Trish

[Nemo55]

Welcome aboard, hope to cross paths in the future at some Friendly port.

Originally Posted by Orla

We are Dougie & Trish MacDonald, we live full time on our Lafitte 44 Orla.
I noticed on another thread that Bob Perry posted a picture of her on here

We have lived aboard for 5 years now exploring the West Coast of Scotland, during that time we have completely re-fitted her and she is now as good as the day she was built, we have also learnt to sail her and maintain her (our first boat) and enjoyed every minute of it.
This will probably be our last year in the UK, we are heading for Ireland for the summer, then who knows. Canada, States, Greenland, Norway, Iceland.

We are a good team together Trish & I, and now looking forward to new horizons.

Looking forward to getting involved.

Dougie & Trish

[stevensuf]

Where abouts in scotland are you?

[Tripod]

Welcome Orla. Hope to see you on this side sometime.

[deckofficer]

Welcome aboard CF Doug and Trish. I spent some time in Aberdeen.

[RDW]

I was in Scotland last summer with the Malt Tour. Very beautiful country and very nice people.
I think it sounds like you are ready to cross the pond. What is stopping you?
good luck,
RDW

[Mimsy]

Welcome! Just got back from a bit of house hunting and visiting family in Scotland last week. Given the dearth of decent housing available in Scotland, I'm wondering how you found living aboard to be. Did you live aboard at a marina or were you strictly on the move? I ask it because living aboard might be something we pursue for a bit. We have kids so it will be a marina for a bit due to need for school, etc.

[George Hoskins]

Hi

George and Trish here. I am Scottish and Trish is from Newfoundland. We are currently in Cape Breton. I sailed here 5 years ago and haven't left yet. Newfoundland and Cape Breton are great places to visit. Unspoiled. Cheap to cruise in and has very friendly people. Icebergs, whales and outports etc. What more could you want? how about a berth on a wharf here from as little as $100 dollars a year!.

If you want to know more, just ask!

[Argyle38]

Hello Orla,

Would love to hear stories about sailing the Scottish coast. Looks like an amazing place.

For some reason, I've always wanted to sail the west coast of Scotland. It's like something is drawing me to that area, can't quite put my finger on it...

[stevensuf]

Well if you ever come here, make sure you have heating and wrap up well, but the west coast is beautiful and fairly deserted.

[Orla]

Originally Posted by stevensuf

Where abouts in scotland are you?

Hello Stevensuf, we are in Kip Marina till the end of April/May then heading for Ireland.

[Orla]

Originally Posted by RDW

I was in Scotland last summer with the Malt Tour. Very beautiful country and very nice people.
I think it sounds like you are ready to cross the pond. What is stopping you?
good luck,
RDW

Hello RDW

I saw quite a few boats flying the Stars n Stripes around Kerrera last year, maybe you were one of them?
We head off when West Highland week & the Malts kick off, far to busy for us, we spend a lot of our time in the Hebrides and further North.

Nothing is stopping us from crossing the pond now, we want to go round Ireland and see our friend there first.
Then heading over, we want to spend a few years exploring, Baffin, Labradour, Nova Scotia, Greenland, Newfoundland.

[Orla]

Originally Posted by Mimsy

Welcome! Just got back from a bit of house hunting and visiting family in Scotland last week. Given the dearth of decent housing available in Scotland, I'm wondering how you found living aboard to be. Did you live aboard at a marina or were you strictly on the move? I ask it because living aboard might be something we pursue for a bit. We have kids so it will be a marina for a bit due to need for school, etc.

Hi Mimsy

We always picked a marina for the winter months, and moved around as much a possible in the summer months.
Living aboard has been no problem if you have the right boat and set up for cold winter living aboard, I know a few people who live aboard on the west coast all year round, some with young kids also.
You have to be careful about your choice of marinas for staying over the winter, some are fantastic some are death traps, all are great in fine conditions.

The only marinas we have used in Scotland so far are:-

Seaport Inverness - bit like being in jail with a boat like ours, freezes over in the winter.
Caley - same as seaport but further into the canal system
Kip - top rated marina with fantastic staff, great for any work needing done and good hoists, very good protection for winter.
Oban - fine in the summer, very busy, wouldn’t recommend for winter.
Dunstaffnage - again fine in the summer, lovely place, winter keep away, many boats get damaged from storms, not very protected.

[stevensuf]

I'm down in ardrossan myself, heading south come april, via ireland down to the med.

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard!