Girvan Harbour

Girvan HarbourHarbour0-4.85519199877843755.24325200072214Contact Harbour Master 01465 713648, or mobile 07785 604903 or VHF 12 Girvan is a small fishing harbour that has significantly upgraded its facilities to cater for the visiting yachtsman. It is a pleasant 15 miles from Ayr or 20miles from Stranraer & could be useful as a stopover, or if planning to have a sail around Ailsa Craig, 8 miles offshore. This spectacular island is the plug of an extinct volcano and now a bird sanctuary. (and, as everyone knows, is the source of granite for the original Curling Stones) There are new fully serviced pontoons here and the plans for a new amenities block to be built in 2014 came to fruition in the summer of 2015. They now have an activities building adjacent to the pontoons which has a swimming pool etc. For up to date information see their website at http://www.girvanharbourpontoons.com/ Horticulturists on board will find that Girvan is very proud of it's floral displays, while the small town can provide all the day-to-day needs for the cruising crew. The harbour is prone to changeable depths due to siltation deposited by the river, and entry and exit should be restricted to 3 hours either side of high water. Latest on Depths 2019. The Harbour was closed to visitors for most of May 2019 for dredging. The channel was dredged to 2m and the fish harbour to 1.5m and in October the pontoon basin will be dredged to 1.5m The work done on this harbour has resulted in a first class stopping off point en route to the Clyde - easy to access from the Sea etc. A real benefit and worth a visit Admiralty 1866Not Known Shallow approach, heavy seas in onshore winds +0043 Dover MHWS 3.1m, MHWN 2.6m, MLWN 0.9m, MLWS 0.4mThe coastal approaches to Girvan, if approaching from North or South, ...... ..... are encumbered by various offshore rocks and reefs. Keeping a good offing, and remaining outside the 10 m depth contour will clear all this, including the Girvan Patch with 1.7m, lying to the SW of the harbourmouth. (see approach chart). Onshore winds will cause big seas in the shallow entrance, therefore tidal timing in these conditions is more important, leave it closer to high water, three hours either side maximum. In calm settled conditions obviously there is more leeway, and in severe onshore conditions it is best given a miss altogether. Loch Ryan although 20 miles away to the south can offer ease of entry and shelter in these conditions. After heavy rains, a strong outgoing current from the river will be experienced. Traffic signals are shown from the end of the South Pier Quay (within the harbour) two black discs arranged horizontally signify that the harbour is closed, by night two red lights, again arranged horizontally, mean the same thing. For night entry the entrance is well lit, with the South Pier showing 2F.G(vert)8m4M, and the North Breakwater showing Fl(2)R.6s.7m4M. The Inner North Groyne shows Fl.R.4s5m2M. When entering the harbour the deep water lies closer to the South Pier, rather than the North Breakwater. The dredged channel lies centrally, and will take you towards the Screen Jetty. This structure is designed to keep debris away from the working quays, when the river is disgorging. Berthing is described shortly. Contacts: The harbour office works on VHF channel 16 and 12, telephone 01465 713648, or mobile 07768 993239. The inner harbour here has been completely rejigged which is now shown.... .... on the Admiralty chart. Instead of bare walls with a single pontoon jutting out into the middle they have removed the central pontoon shown on the old chart and installed pontoons and fingers right round the walls. There are 35 berths of which 7 have been set aside for visitors and all berths have electricity and water available. They have become fairly busy with visitors so you should contact the HM and book in advance. Visitors are usually berthed on the fingers adjacent to the access walkway. They are still charging £2.70 per metre in 2022 which is what it was last year. There is shore power (payment by card but generally some left over from the last boat) and water for all the berths. There is still no diesel here. Fuel can be obtained from the garage in town by can. There is now an amenities block with toilets, showers and a laundrette (coin op) A boat builders and shipyard geared to fishing boats may be able to help out with mechanical problems. There is a ship's chandlers but it is not yachting orientated - would be ok for ropes and some stainless shackles and can obtain electronics but don't stock anything in that line. They've built a new swimming pool here close to the harbour and that is now open. A reasonable range of shops including Sommerfield will be found in the town together with a post office and bank. Girvan is well served with public transport, including long distance bus services and its own railway station. This is on the Ayr to Stranraer route, and there are also through trains to Glasgow and two services a day to Carlisle and Newcastle. Sunday service is very limited. The hungry and thirsty crew will find a reasonable range of pubs, restaurants and takeaways in Girvan. No shortage of fish and chip shops, a Chinese takeaway, and an Indian restaurant will be found not far from the harbour. The links below may point you in the right direction... For Pubs seehttp://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/results.shtml/el/Girvan%3BAyrshire/Eating out Restaurants in Girvan - Updated June 2021 - Tripadvisor Golfers are well catered for in the area, although this writer has yet to meet a golfing yachtie ! Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. It lies 20 miles south of Ayr, and 30 miles north of Stranraer Places of interest Culzean Castle lies a few miles north of the town. Turnberry golf course and hotel is located 5 miles north of Girvan. The coast line south of Girvan is famous for its geology, and also for Sawney Bean's Cave. The legendary murderer and cannibal Sawney Bean was a supposed resident of a nearby seaside cave until his eventual discovery and execution in Edinburgh. The Town Once a year Girvan hosts its annual Girvan Folk music Festival (2007 was the 33rd) which is held on the first weekend of May. Past artists have included Altan, Dervish, Ian Bruce and Malinky. On the Sunday night on the shorefront watch the Girvan Burning Man 2009 created by local artists. Girvan also has a folk music club which meets every Friday night in the back of the Queen's Hotel, Montgomerie Street. Once a month they also have a guest artist night. Past guests have included Emily Smith, Back of the Moon, the Sangsters, Ian Bruce, Adam McNaughton and Bruce Molsky. Festival of Light CRAG and Girvan Attractions work in partnership to produce the annual Festival of Light community arts project transforming the town on the first Saturday in November each year with a lantern procession, shore performance and fireworks display. The town has several popular fish and chip shops and pubs. The Royal Hotel is notable for serving real ale. A Grant's distillery is also just north of the town. Some History Historically, Girvan was significant as the home of the Hairy Tree. According to legend, the Hairy Tree was planted by Sawney Bean's eldest daughter in the town's Dalrymple Street. However, when her family was arrested, the daughter was implicated in their incestuous and cannibalistic activities and was hanged by locals from the bough of the tree she herself planted. According to local legend, one can hear the sound of a swinging corpse while standing beneath its boughs. The Hairy Tree's whereabouts are currently unknown, but two high profile campaigns have been launched to relocate it. The Girvan Online website is running a campaign which was started by local investigative journalist and horoscope writer Andrew Penguin. More recently, former Scotland International footballer Alan Brazil launched his own independent campaign to the same purpose. The text on this HISTORY page is covered by the following licence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License0Girvan HarbourChart of Approaches to GirvanChart Girvan HarbourShip Repair Yard, GirvanLight, Girvan HarbourGirvan Harbour EntranceGirvan looking SouthLooking SW across the harbour note empty visitors berths by access walkwayCompleted pontoonsNew Pontoons at GirvanPontoon prior to installation of the fingersAlexander Noble & Sons Ltdwww.anobleandsons.co.ukAlexander Noble & Sons LtdNewton KennedyGirvanKA26 9HLAyrshireGirvanUK055.2443199-4.8566598Alexander Noble & Sons LtdNewton KennedyGirvanKA26 9HLAyrshireGirvanUKAlexander Noble & Sons Ltd01465 71222301465 712223Jamieson Weldingwww.jamiesonwelding.comJamieson WeldingBridgemill YardGirvanKA26 9JEAyrshireGirvanUK055.2518924-4.8432519Jamieson WeldingBridgemill YardGirvanKA26 9JEAyrshireGirvanUKJamieson Welding01465 71379001465 713790Girvan Harbour MasterGirvan Harbour MasterGirvan HarbourGirvanKA26 9AGAyrshireGirvanUK055.243961-4.860211Girvan Harbour MasterGirvan HarbourGirvanKA26 9AGAyrshireGirvanUKGirvan Harbour Master01465 71364801465 713648Carrick Angling ClubCarrick Angling Club77 Park RoadGirvanKA26 9GGAyrshireScotlandUK055.2437365-4.8457937Carrick Angling Club77 Park RoadGirvanKA26 9GGAyrshireScotlandUKCarrick Angling [email protected] [email protected] 712007ASW Charterswww.seafishingscotland.comSea Fishing Charters - To Book Contact Tony Wass.ASW Charters33 Henrietta StreetGirvanKA26 9ALAyrshireScotlandUK055.2405632-4.8580365ASW Charters33 Henrietta StreetGirvanKA26 9ALAyrshireScotlandUKASW ChartersVia Website Contact Form01465 715934Via Website Contact Form01465 715934MFV Glorious Pleasure Tripswww.ailsacraig.org.ukPleasure Trips & Excursions Contact Mark McCrindleMFV Glorious Pleasure Trips7 Harbour StreetGirvanKA26 9AJAyrshireScotlandUK055.2428188-4.8594995MFV Glorious Pleasure Trips7 Harbour StreetGirvanKA26 9AJAyrshireScotlandUKMFV Glorious Pleasure [email protected] [email protected] 713219Waverley Paddlesteamer Excursionswww.waverleyexcursions.co.ukPaddlesteamer Sea Trips Rivers, Islands, Britains Coasts Aboard The Famous Pleasure Steamers - Waveley & Balmoral Catering, gift Shop & Lots More - Well Worth A VisitWaverley Paddlesteamer Excursions36 Lancefield QuayG3 8HAGlasgowScotlandUK055.8566983-4.2742739Waverley Paddlesteamer Excursions36 Lancefield QuayG3 8HAGlasgowScotlandUKWaverley Paddlesteamer ExcursionsContact Via Website0845 1304647Contact Via Website0845 1304647Don Thomson2013-03-11T10:19:00+00:00Update 2013The notes for Girvan were updated by Don T in March 2013. Improvements to the facilities for visiting yachts are ongoing and up to date info can be obtained from Roddy the HM who is still in post.-1Don Thomson2017-04-06T13:39:00+01:00UPDATE APRIL 2017These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2017. As has been noted below the amenities block is up and running with a laundrette. Roger who has been the HM here for thirty years retires at the beginning of this season so we wish him well.-1Don Thomson2015-03-27T09:43:00+00:00Update 2015These notes were reviewed by Don in March 2015. The hoped for amenities block is nearly finished and the 2015 prices added. The 2015 Admiralty chart does not reflect the new layout-1Don Thomson2014-03-10T11:14:00+00:00Improvements 2013/14Update March 2014 The new pontoons are now in place and our notes have been edited to indicate this. Note that the 2014 Admiralty chart of Girvan is out of date.-1taniwha2015-08-25T14:26:00+01:00Girvan MarinaThere is an excellent new toilet and shower block in operation. The code for this block is not the same as the code for the marina gate so see harbour master.-1Contender2024-07-19T19:24:00+01:00Update Jul 2024I stopped a night here in July. Tried to leave at 2 hours after LW, and touched bottom is several places including between Lifeboat and Visitor Pontoons. My boat draws 1.4m. I had checked depths at V berths (lead line) at LW (5 days after Springs). There's 1.5m at first few, 1.2m next few and 1m or less on the rest. Many boats were aground. The HM seems unavailable (1 boat reported ringing for 3 days with no answer). There's a machine for paying which also gives toilets and gate codes. The Indian Restaurant (Yasmins) is excellent, worth a visit.-1SeaFury2017-08-14T16:16:00+01:00'The Quay Zone'The indoor activities block is now open. As well as the pool it has a large kids climbing area, next to a cafe, a gym and free WiFi.-1Don Thomson 32022-07-29T12:03:00+01:00UPDATE JULY 2022I reviewed these notes in July 2022. The progress in this harbour over the last ten years has been impressive; it's not a large town and they have all worked hard to arrive where they are now. It's still only £2.70 a metre all in. Have a look.-1Don Thomson 32021-06-25T09:28:00+01:00Update Early Summer 2021These notes were reviewed in June 2021. No changes, not even prices. Still no diesel.-1Don Thomson 32019-05-15T09:48:00+01:00Update Spring 2019These notes were reviewed in May 2019. The harbour is closed to visitors for most of May for dredging. The channel is being dredged to 2m below CD and the Fish Harbour to 1.5 m below. The new Admiralty chart is showing 0.8m so you should change your charts. Still no diesel.-1Error fetching data: Access Denied