Pontoon Berthing in Scotland

West is definately best for yachting in Scotland.  The Clyde will obviousy be very expensive, and pontoon berthing being dearest of all.  Largs, Kip and Rhu are probably the biggest, most convenient and most expensive.  Moorings are gonna be cheaper, and the yacht clubs can prob help out with them.  Further north / west there are other marinas.  Portavadie is a new set up on Loch Fynne and might offer cheapish berths.  Croabh(?), Ardfern and Dunstaffnage(?) marinas all up toward Oban are other options and might be a bit cheaper but involve a longer drive.

Basically it's going to cost a fortune, so I hope you've got loads of cash

Hello

try: http://www.fyca.org.uk/   "Forth Yacht club Association"

Personally I'd say if located in the middle of  Scotland - go for the East-coast.   It's easier to access than the west (i.e.  to get to the Clyde, it's a drive to Glasgow and then beyond  - for some marinas/moorings on the west, it's even further).... especially if you're heading on a Friday - Glasgow traffic isn't exactly wonderful. 

The river Forth is  probably a lot closer to where you live, and is a great estuary. 

The  west coast does offer some great opportunities. The Clyde is definitely the racing epi-centre of Scotland, and there's of course super cruising to be had up the west coast. 

Saying that, think of  what you're realistically  you're setting out to achieve.  

Racing can be had on the East coast as well (particularly Port Edgar, or even Granton), and there's interesting  cruising on the Forth and  even beyond.   

If you were to go cruising on the West, it may become more of a logistical  effort  -  getting to the boat, provisions,  planning the  trip....  getting home again late on a Sunday, as well as  work/maintenance on the boat located miles from the house.  Also if  on a  mooring - where do you leave your dinghy - do you need to bring your own inflatable or can you tie a tender in the harbour/beach?

Also, are you planning  just to go out sailing just for a Saturday/Sunday afternoon (is it worth  going all the way to the west coast to poodle about on the same  three lochs);  or are you more interested in undertaking more lengthy  passages/cruises ?   (how far do you think yóu'll regularly sail 10, 30 80 miles (nautical) and at what speed... so, how much of the west coast do you think you'll actually see/cruise?).

If  starting off, one idea might be to buy a slightly  smaller boat - say 25foot.  You could then avail of the  Forth-clyde Canal....   would make a  good adventure; and also there's many interesting little  harbours along the Fife coast. 

Also think about buying a boat suited to your chosen area - particularly the  keel - long/fin/bilge - can you tie up against a wall or dry-out easily?  This is  definitely more important on the east coast.  Berths... how many/will you sleep-over on the boat?

Also, do you wish to join a  club? I'd imagine some of the larger west coast clubs have higher subscriptions.  Many east coast clubs are small and corinthian in spirit so  probably demand  less  cash from you, though they may expect you to volunteer with things which in itself  can be fun. 

Also think about insurance - to keep a boat, some places are more expensive than others, this may affect how much cash you've got to spend.  Similarly if racing, costs for running a 30foot yacht can be high especially when equipment needs replaced (sails/ropes/winch-handles etc).

Sailing's a great sport/past-time,  and hopefully the above should help you think about the right questions regards to why buy a yacht (and what to do with it).

All the  best with the adventure... !

  fin