SAILING THE SHIPPING FORECAST

Celebrating 100 years of the BBC Shipping Forecast, Jane Russell takes us on a series of coastal cruises through the forecast sea areas, exploring some of the special places on offer in each of them

- Joanna Martin, Curlew Cottage Design

The Malin sea area impacts on a lengthy stretch of the western and northern coasts of Ireland and on the more exposed islands and west coast of Scotland from Galloway to Mallaig.

Depressions bring in the full fetch of Atlantic swell and prevailing winds from between south and west, usually Force 3-4 in the summer months but occasionally to gale force, creating challenging conditions for cruising.

However, Malin also embraces the smoother waters of the inner seas of the Scottish coast. Here, east of the Kintyre peninsula, and inside the main islands between Islay and Mull, the Atlantic swell peters out and wind and waves are generally kinder, although the winds can bend and accelerate over or around the mountains.

Tides are influenced by the tidal amphidrome centred in the triangle between Islay, Rathlin and the Mull of Kintyre. Its shifting centre has a zero tidal range but beyond it the tidal range increases and hastened tidal streams create significant overfalls at pinch points and around headlands, particularly with wind against tide; in the Rathlin Sound and along the Irish coast, off the Mull of Kintyre and the Oa peninsula, in the Sound of Islay, and up the Sound of Jura to Corryvreckan and the Sound of Luing. Plan your passages to take into account the tides and sea state to avoid unpleasant or even dangerous conditions. The Mull of Kintyre has long had a fearsome reputation. During periods of strong winds it makes sense to use the Crinan Canal as an enjoyable and sociable alternative route with scenic stops on the way.

Variable 2 to 4, Smooth or Slight. Fair. Good.