Our Bases
On the Clyde
Kip Marina
On the East side of the Firth between Greenock and Largs, Kip is Scotland's longest established Marina.
Kip is convenient for all the favourite anchorages on the Clyde, the Kyles of Bute, Arran and Loch Fyne.
On the West Coast
THE ROAD TO THE ISLES
At Portway we like to think that the journey to Craobh marina our associated base at Ballachulish, is part of the charter experience. Most of our clients come by car from the south, some by mini bus, which we can arrange, from the Glasgow airports at Prestwick and Glasgow city. Although the journey time from Prestwick can be up to 4 hours and from Glasgow city about 3 hours, the roads pass through magnificent highland scenery.
Prestwick is in Ayrshire, a county of farms and golf courses with the Firth of Clyde never far away. The Scottish poet Robert Burns was born close by in Alloway. Traveling north the road joins the M8 and crosses the Clyde over Erskine bridge, a graceful high level structure, and at this point joins the route from Glasgow city airport. Look out for Dumbarton rock, an ancient extinct volcano.
The road soon reaches Loch Lomond, the Bonnie Banks, and for the next 17 miles runs up its west side. The views are beautiful though often obscured by loch side trees. Across the loch is Ben Lomond (a Munro - a mountain over 3000 feet) with a fine rounded summit offering the climber wonderful views all round. At Tarbet, travelers to Craobh and Ballachulish take different roads.
Craobh
Travelers to Craobh leave the loch side road at Tarbet and take the 
A83 west to Arrochar at the top end of Loch Long, onwards towards Inverary by the old, now much improved military road over the pass where the summit is known as “Rest and be Thankful”. The road descends to sea level again at Cairndow at the top of Loch Fyne, one the longest sea lochs, before traveling south to Inverary. Look out for the Duke of Argyll's chateau style castle and the pretty little town with its fine buildings. Continuing on the A83 the road is never far from the loch of which there are many good views till Lochgilphead is reached.
This little town is the administrative centre of Argyll. The Crinan canal through to the Atlantic coast starts in the neighbouring town of Ardrishaig and the road to Craobh (A816) at first runs parallel to the canal then passes through the good farm land of Kilmartin glen with 5000 year old burial mounds and Dunadd hill, the ancient capital of the Scots. From here it is a short journey to first Loch Craignish where Ardfern marina will be seen and a little further on over one last hill, the short side road to Craobh is found.
Ballachulish
At Tarbet, travelers to Ballachulish turn right and continue a further 8 miles on the A82 along Loch Lomond and on to Crianlarrich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. From time to time walkers on the West Highland Way will be seen following a popular route from Glasgow to Fort William.
The road soon rises to Rannoch moor, a place of water, bog and rock where herds of red deer are frequently seen, and approaches the high mountains around the pass of Glencoe, the scene of a treacherous massacre of members of the Glencoe Macdonald clan on an exceptionally cold winter’s day in 1692. The Glen is best seen under snow in winter but is still impressive in summer. Ballachulish lies where the road leaves the glen on the side of Loch Leven and the small marina is at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel which is well signposted.
If shopping is required for the yacht, supermarkets will be found in Dumbarton (Asda and Morrisons) and a small one in Lochgilphead (Co-operative).
