UK & Ireland — Hebrides & Orkney

Stornoway

58°12.5'N 006°23.3'W · Stornoway (main port, Lewis) (0nm)

4–9m

Depth

Good

Holding

80m

Alarm radius

Moderate

Crowd level

Stornoway is the capital of the Western Isles (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and by far the largest town in the Outer Hebrides — a genuine small city with full provisioning, chandlery, fuel, a marina and all yacht services. As the principal reprovisioning and waypoint port for cruising the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is almost obligatory for yachts on this passage. The town has a good range of restaurants, pubs and shops. Stornoway Castle grounds (now a country park) are beautiful. The famous Callanish Stones (4,000-year-old standing stone circle, 15nm west) are among the finest prehistoric monuments in Europe and well worth the bus/taxi trip.

Best Months

JuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Stornoway Harbour — anchorage off the town pier

Good

4–9m · Alarm: 80m

Anchor in 4–8m (CD) in the harbour. Good all-round shelter provided by the harbour geometry. Mud and sand bottom — reliable holding. Stornoway is a commercial port with ferry traffic, coasters and fishing vessels — anchor in the designated yacht anchorage area (east side of harbour, clear of the ferry and commercial berths). Visitor pontoon available at Stornoway Marina. Tidal range approximately 4.0–4.5m springs.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

80m radius in the harbour. Stornoway is a well-sheltered commercial harbour with good all-round protection. The main consideration is traffic — CalMac ferries, coasters and fishing vessels operate continuously. Keep well clear of the ferry berth and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 12 (port operations). Marina berths are available and recommended if visiting for more than one night.

Recommended radius: 80m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !Active commercial port — CalMac ferries, coasters and fishing vessels; maintain VHF Ch 12 watch and call port authority on entry
  • !Tidal range 4.5m springs — plan scope for HW depth; contact marina for berth availability
  • !Weather windows in the Minch can close rapidly — do not leave Stornoway without a reliable 24-hour forecast
  • !The Eye Peninsula to the east creates complex wind shadows and acceleration — gusts can be unexpected near the harbour entrance

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓Call Stornoway Port on VHF Ch 12 before entry — they are helpful and will direct you to the visitor pontoon or anchorage
  • ✓This is THE reprovisioning stop for the Outer Hebrides — fill water, fuel and provisions here before heading north or south
  • ✓Callanish Stones are unmissable — approximately 30-minute bus journey from Stornoway; one of the most impressive prehistoric sites in Europe
  • ✓An Lanntair arts centre is an excellent café and cultural venue — good coffee, local art and live music events
  • ✓The Minch crossing to the mainland (to Ullapool or Kyle of Lochalsh) requires careful weather planning — check forecast carefully

Facilities

WaterFuelRestaurantProvisionsWiFi

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free to anchor in designated area. Marina berths approx. £25–35/night (2025 rates). Contact Stornoway Port Authority VHF Ch 12.
Restrictions:
All vessels entering Stornoway Harbour must call Port Authority on VHF Ch 12 for berth allocation. Keep clear of the CalMac ferry approach, the commercial dock, and the fishing vessel berths. No anchoring in the fairway.

Sleep Safely at Stornoway

Set your anchor alarm to 80m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free
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