Mid July 2019 – Whitehills and Inverness

5th July – Friday – Peterhead to Whitehills

At 5.20am we left Peterhead and a large seal popped up in the harbour entrance to brighten the morning.  From a misty morning the sun came out occasionally and we rock and rolled around Rattray Head, with the over-falls making their presence felt.  The sea turned glassy but the undercurrents were still strong, churning the sea.  We arrived in Whitehills at 12.20pm after 38 nm.

All the way, the coast once again, was a green and beautiful site.

Whitehills harbour entrance.  Fortunately Mick had shown me a video of the entrance into Whitehills the previous night so it was less nerve racking.  The entrance is narrow, proceed down the channel past the markers to the right and aim for the lifeboat slipway, dead ahead.

Bertie the harbourmaster is likely to be on hand with instructions, and a loud ‘LEFT’ at the moment we had to hang a left into the small outer harbour and then a dog leg into the harbour proper.

The right hand markers, when the tide is out!!!!  Rocks!!

Fleur tucked into the inner harbour, centre.

There is a 4 metre tide in Whitehills, as you can see from the angle of the gangway above.

And the view of the wall from the boat when the tide is out.  Prisoner cell block H.

We were told that the Fish and Chip restaurant in town was worth a look, so off we went.  Rockfish does not have a licence to sell alcohol but you can take your own, or buy it from the Premier shop across the road, very handy.  Then you find out that the chip shop, the Premier shop and the pub are all owned by the same person.  Fine by us.

6th July – Saturday

Rainy day, so time for laundry.  Nick and Lindsay from Moana came for a coffee.  We had seen them at Peterhead, so it was nice to catch up and discuss our plans.

The planned town regatta took place despite the conditions.  Approx 8 boats went out.  Braver than me.

7th July – Sunday

We walked to the next town of Banff along the coastal path.

Banff in the distance and the wild sea.  It was sunny but very windy.  The kite surfers were out in the afternoon.  The walk took approximately one hour. 

Banff also has a small harbour, with an equally tricky entrance.  Banff has more amenities than Whitehills.  Tesco, Coop, small High Street and the Famous Spotty Bag shop (thanks to the lady in Tesco for recommending this cafe after our walk).  Another of those Scottish shops where you can buy anything.  Through the maze of rooms, we went upstairs to the cafe for tea and a scone.

The coast walk is beautiful and threads through two caravan sites and along a promenade in Banff.

Mick watching the kite surfers and the crashing waves.  It is possible to walk to Macduff which is the next slightly larger town, but Banff was enough for today.

Sailors Port Info: Whitehills Marina

The marina is owned by the locals.  Bertie the harbourmaster being the most visible and jolly.  Everyone was very welcoming and gave us good information, particularly about the Rockfish chippy.  The price is £25 per night for a boat over 10 metres.  £2 Wash, £1 Dry.  Facilities are OK, showers £1.  Only wifi in marina office.  Our TV aerial did not work well, especially when the tide was out.

Whitehills is a small old fishing village, there is a pub, restaurant, a shop, a chippy and a fish market called Downies.  Good place to recharge your batteries.

8th July – Monday – Whitehills to Inverness

A small flotilla left Whitehills on the next good weather day.  A 06.00am alarm started our day early for the 60nm to Inverness.  Catching the early tide meant we reached the heady heights of 7.8 knots.  A cold morning became warmer and the Moray Firth shone in its full glory.  The early few hours of washing machine sea, were replaced by a smooth glassy surface, with strong currents beneath.  We did manage to see a dolphin, they are famous around here. 

Mick enjoying the sunshine.

We had thought of going to Lossiemouth, but the weather was good so we pressed on.  5 RAF Typhoons took off almost vertically as we passed by.  Many photos resulted in this one poor effort, they are quick.

At the end of the Moray Firth we reached Fort George, a large 18th century garrison and popular tourist attraction, built after the Jacobite Rising.

Mick and the imaginatively named Inverness Road Bridge.

We arrived at 16.20 after ten hours.  Beautiful scenery, rolling seas, sunshine and a chill wind.

9th July – Tuesday

Walked into town and did a good shop at Lidl, went to look at the Caledonian Canal entrance, and bought a new TV aerial.  We got drenched.

10th July – Wednesday

Better weather today, time to be tourists.  It is a 30 minute walk into town, through the port area.

We first came upon the entrance to the Victorian market arcade.

Inside the Victorian arcade.  Many small shops and cafes.

The walks around the river are lovely and take you from the Castle to the Cathedral and if you go further, the Botanic gardens.

We walked around the castle grounds, which lead to the Museum.  It is free to enter and has a good display of the towns history and achievements.

The town centre shopping is excellent, as is the new Eastgate shopping centre.

Sailors Port Info: Inverness Marina

Located just after the Inverness Road Bridge, the entrance is not obvious from the sea, stay alert.

The signage is quite small, look out for the red post.

Cost £93 for 3 nights inc electric.  The marina is new and well appointed.  Facilities are good, socket in hallway.  Wifi was broken.  Good book with map given on arrival.  The busy ‘Dolphin Spirit’ Tour boat is moored here.

30 minute walk to town.  No amenities close by.  Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl in town.  Screw Fix Direct in the industrial estate nearby.

Next stop Caledonian Canal.