Lamlash Harbour (GBLAH)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. Lamlash Harbour contains secure moorings suitable for large vessels and affords good anchorage for small vessels in a well sheltered bay.

Lamlash Harbour is located on the SE coast of the Isle of Arran.

The best anchorage, suitable for small vessels is in the NW part of the harbour, in depths of 27-31m, sand and mud, clear of Admiralty mooring buoys and small craft mooring which extend 0.2nm ENE from Old Quay. Anchorage in depths of less than 18.0m is not recommended as the coastal bank is steep to.

Approach and entry: Lamlash Harbour can be entered either from N or S of Holy Island S channel, between the SW point of Holy Island and Kingscross Point, 0.3nm WSW, has a navigable width of 0.17nm with a least depth of 26m in the fairway. N channel, between the N end of Holy Island and Churchlands Point, 0.75nm N, has a navigable width of 0.17nm with a least depth of 10.4m in the fairway. S Channel: From a position 0.7nm S of the light on the SW end of Holy Island the approach and entry into South Channel leads N then NNW, in deep water. passing (with positions from the light): W of the S extremity of South Bank (0.55nm S) which, with depths of less than 20m, extends 0.55nm S from Holy Island, and: E of the coastal bank which, with depths of less than 20m, extends up to 0.2nm from the coast (0.6nm SSW), then: WSW of South Rock (0.27nm) which lies in the middle of South Bank, then: ENE of Fularton Rock (0.27nm WSW) which is marked by a lightbuoy (port hand) moored close NE of the rock, keeping less than 0.2nm off Kingscross Point, and: WSW of the reef and bank fringing the SW extremity of Holy Island on which stands a light (white tower, 17m in height). A small pier extends from the coast close to the light. Then: Over a submarine power cable which crosses the channel from a position on Holy Island (0.12nm NNW) which is marked by a beacon, then: Clear of the many unlit, yellow, Admiralty mooring buoys which extend over the SE part of the harbour. It is reported that these buoys are difficult to see at night against the glare of street lighting, and: NE of marine farms which extend up to 0.15nm NE from the SW shore. N channel: From a position 0.5nm ESE of Clauchlands Point (55°33'N 005°05'W) the fairway of North Channel leads WSW, passing (with positions from Clauchlands Point): SSE of Hamilton Rock (0.07nm ESE), then: SSE of the shallow spit, with depths of less than 10.0m over it, which extends 0.37nm S from Clauchlands Point. A lightbuoy (port hand), which marks the N side of the fairway, must be left to starboard when entering North Channel. And: NNW of a shallow spit, depths less than 10.0m, extends up to 0.3nm from the NW shore, and: NNW of Deacon Rock (1.25nm SSW).

Admiralty Pilot NP66A.

Positions from Old Quay (55°32'N 005°07'W): Flagstaff (0.5nm NNE) Church with grey spire (0.3nm NNE) Flagstaff (0.25nm NNE) Red church with a spire (0.25nm SW)

Submarine pipelines: A submarine power cable crosses the South Channel between the S end of Holy Island and Kingscross Point.

The flood tide in the Firth of Clyde sets into Lamlash Harbour by the South Channel and out by the North Channel. The ebb tide sets in the opposite direction. In the harbour the streams are very weak except near the W coast of Holy Island.

During winds from the NW, the bay is affected by violent squalls from the mountains of Arran, and the winds from the E send some sea into the harbour which affects even the most sheltered of anchorages W of Holy Island.