Scotland's west coast is packed with lochs, making for splendid stopovers by boat. Kinlochbervie is located on one of the last lochs before Cape Wrath, or "the last of the lochs" turning point "in Old Norse. It is the last harbor on this coast where yachtsmen can moor at the pontoon.
A small port with all the makings of a big one
Today's Kinlochbervie harbor was built in the 1970s. It is located on Little Loch Bervie, a branch of Loch Inchard. Once one of the country's most important fishing ports, Kinlochbervie remains very active thanks to its infrastructure and fish warehouses, which supply trucks bound for all over Europe.
A small marina for pleasure craft was added in 2013. It is the northernmost marina on the west coast, and the last stop before Cape Wrath. Although it only offers six visitor berths, three on the pontoon and three aft, the marina offers the usual services: electricity and water, rubbish and sorting, as well as a washer/dryer and showers.
Nearby, a shipchandler, restaurants and a mini-market complete the range of accessible amenities.
An exceptional panorama
Beyond the harbour, Kinlochbervie's surroundings are admirable. A 6.5-kilometre footpath takes walkers to Sandwood bay, one of Scotland's most iconic beaches, framed by cliffs. Its vast expanse of sand stretches beneath the eternal gaze of Am Buachaille, " the shepherd ". Well-known to climbers, this 65-metre-high rock peak rises out of the sea at one end of the beach.
Perhaps you'll have a fabulous encounter, like local farmer Alexander Gunn. He said that on January 5, 1900, alerted by his collie, he spotted a shape between two rocks, just above the tide, which at first he thought was a seal. But it had red hair, blue-green eyes and a golden body. She was a mermaid of extraordinary beauty. Alexander Gunn maintained his story until his death.
In Kinlochbervie, they say the weather can be changeable, but the rainbows are spectacular, so " enjoy the good weather, which we often have, but when it rains, look for the rainbow ".
A nearby anchorage
If the marina no longer has room for visitors, it's also possible to anchor nearby in loch Inchard. A little before the entrance to loch Bervie, the small cove of Camus Blair offers a lovely place to anchor. The harbour is easily accessible from here by dinghy. In case of heavy swell, however, you'll need to head for the bottom of loch Inchard, slaloming between fishing traps, to find sufficient protection.
