Girvan is a small fishing harbour that has the facilities to cope with a few visiting yachts or motorboats. It 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.

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.

Quick links to nearby harbours: Lamlash Harbour and Brodick, Arran , Ayr Harbour

The 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 07970 844057.

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Best seen by looking at the photo gallery, visiting yacht or motorboats are normally moored on the single pontoon, or alongside the south side of the screen jetty, having gone past the lifeboat.

The best plan is to get tied up on the pontoon, and then seek out the harbour master who will allocate you a berth.

The links below gives some information about the harbour master, Roddy, contact details have already been given.

http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/latest-news/2008/01/16/roddy-sails-off-into-the-sunset-102545-20358077/

Water is available around the harbour although you may need jerry cans. Fuel can be obtained from the garage in town again by can.

A boat builders and shipyard geared to fishing boats may be able to help out with mechanical problems.

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.

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 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...

Eating out and take away
http://www.girvan-online.net/?node=90

Pubs
http://www.girvan-online.net/?node=89&clearSearch=1

Golfers are well catered for in the area, although this writer has yet to meet a golfing yachtie !