UK & Ireland — West Scotland

Loch Sween

55°57.3'N 005°39.6'W · Tayvallich (Loch Sween) (1nm)

2–6m

Depth

Excellent

Holding

75m

Alarm radius

Low

Crowd level

Loch Sween is one of Scotland's most beautiful and least visited sea lochs — a long, sheltered waterway on the Knapdale coast between the Crinan Canal and the Sound of Jura. The village of Tayvallich at the inner loch has a legendary sailing pub (Tayvallich Inn) and superb scenery. Castle Sween at the loch mouth is the oldest standing castle on the Scottish mainland (c.1100 AD). The loch is renowned for its peace and beauty — it attracts far fewer yachts than the Crinan-area lochs and rewards those who make the detour.

Best Months

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Tayvallich bay — main anchorage

Excellent

2–6m · Alarm: 75m

Anchor in 2–5m (CD) in the sheltered bay off Tayvallich village. Mud throughout — excellent holding. The village sits in a small bay with good shelter from all but NW. Tidal range approximately 3.0–3.5m springs. Visitor moorings managed by the Tayvallich Inn. One of the most tranquil and attractive loch anchorages on the Knapdale coast.

Castle Sween — outer loch anchorage

Good

3–7m · Alarm: 80m

Anchorage off Castle Sween (the oldest standing castle in mainland Scotland, c.1100 AD) in 3–6m (CD). Sand and mud. Exposed to the W/NW but the loch mouth is partially sheltered by the Knapdale coast. Good lunch stop or fair-weather overnight.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

75m radius for the Tayvallich bay. Excellent mud holding throughout. With 3.5m tidal range at springs, HW depths reach 5.5–9.5m. The NW exposure is the main vulnerability but is partially mitigated by the surrounding hills.

Recommended radius: 75m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !Rocks in the approach to Tayvallich bay — enter with large-scale chart (Admiralty Chart 2326); keep to the marked channel
  • !NW exposure at Tayvallich can produce chop in northwesterlies
  • !No provisions in the loch — carry everything from Crinan (8nm) or Ardrishaig (12nm)
  • !Tidal range 3.0–3.5m springs — plan scope accordingly

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓Tayvallich Inn is the main reason most sailors visit — the seafood platter using locally landed fish and shellfish is exceptional; book in advance (01546 870282)
  • ✓Castle Sween at the loch mouth is open for exploration — walk up to the ruins for views over the Sound of Jura
  • ✓Combine with a Crinan Canal transit — Loch Sween is the ideal overnight stop before or after the canal
  • ✓The Knapdale Sea Eagle Project (reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to Scotland) operates in this area — look up as you sail the loch

Facilities

Restaurant

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free to anchor. Visitor moorings at Tayvallich — contact Tayvallich Inn.
Restrictions:
No restrictions beyond standard Scottish right to anchor. Respect Castle Sween as a Historic Environment Scotland protected site.

Sleep Safely at Loch Sween

Set your anchor alarm to 75m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free
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