David Sturrock Yachting

This is the home page of David Sturrock Yachting. Our aim is to promote the West Coast of Scotland as a destination for cruising and sail training internationally using the medium of the www. Introducing more people to the pleasure of sailing safely benefits the individual and the local environment. Our organisation has thirty years sailing experience to draw on, if you have any questions or comments on this website, please e-mail us (link at bottom of this page).
You are visitor number since 08/07/98

About Us...

Sailing Instructor

David Sturrock has been sailing for over 30 years and has been qualified as an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor for 10 years. I have a wealth of sailing knowledge of the Scottish West Coast and of people having worked for the following organisations: Loch Eil Outward Bound,Gordonstoun Summer School,Hebridean Cruising and Firth of Lorn Sea School. A typical 5 or 6 day sailing trip will cover 200 nautical miles and normally take in a visit to the Outer or Inner Hebridean islands.I have a reputation for sailing everywhere including in and out of anchorages, so you can see the use of engine power is kept to an absolute minimum. Every trip is unique, each being an adventure and a voyage of discovery.

Sailing Area

This part of Scotland is distinctly different from the mainland, with it's laidback pace of life and teeming marine wildlife-Whales,Porpoise and numerous interesting bird species can be seen at close hand. The tranquil present day features belie a torrid past history, many castle ruins can be seen throughout the area. I will give you an insight into this history including translations of place and island names, many being derived from Norse ( Knoydart-means Knut's Fjord) as the region was in their ownership from 800-1200AD.If you have not sailed here previously you will find that we are at anchor or mooring most evenings as there are very few marinas or harbours, just beautiful naturally sheltered bays.There are however plenty of villages such as Tobermory on Mull where you can go ashore for a bath,a meal and a warm Scottish welcome.

Sailing Yacht

RYA courses are conducted on "Freya" a Beneteau First 32 6 berth yacht which is registered with the RYA as a sail training vessel and inspected by them to meet their stringent safety requirements.If this is your first time sailing on a cruising yacht,you must be prepared to live in a fairly cramped living space and to share the cooking and cleaning duties with your fellow crewmembers. It may be only a short trip at sea, but the memories and friendships will last a long time.

Sailing Courses

The RYA training scheme is basically divided into beginner,intermediate and advanced levels of qualification depending on how much seatime you have achieved.Competent crew is the entry level course,designed for someone with no previous experience, you require 5 days cruising to complete this. Both Dayskipper and Coastal skipper require theory sections to be completed to attain the qualification although you can complete the practical section first,again 5 days cruising is required for course completion. I place the emphasis on seamanship,boathandling and efficient use of the sails while completing meaningful sea passages to make the whole experience as worthwhile as possible. All sailing courses will normally have one night sail to gain the necessary watchkeeping hours.
If you do not want formal tuition,skipper charter can be arranged on Freya or on any seaworthy vessel. The Skipper's fee for this is £350 for 7 days.

David W Sturrock