Our Surrounding Area

The scenery and boating activity in this area is arguably unsurpassed anywhere in the world. 

A scenic aerial view of Rhu Marina, on the Gare Loch, with Helensburgh and its surrounding hills in the distance

  • Loch Long, the Holy Loch and the upper reaches of the River Clyde are all within easy reach, with Bute, Arran, the Cumbraes, the Kyles of Bute and Loch Fyne not much further afield. Such a wide choice of training grounds allows every level of water-based course to be run all year round, no matter what the weather conditions. On our doorstep we have everything from very sheltered waters for beginners, to more challenging conditions for those wishing to raise their boat handling skills to a higher level.

  • The technical challenges of handling a boat in these waters can be made as straightforward or as complex as required. A wide variety of buoys and fixed navigation lights offer plenty of opportunities to practise using collision regulations in real situations. The wreck of the Sugar Boat is visible on the sandbank opposite Greenock at all states of the tide and presents a visual reminder of what can go wrong!

  • We are located in one of the largest areas of sheltered deep water in Britain and a very busy area for marine traffic. Large cruise liners sail into Greenock almost daily in the summer months. Ferries run several times a day, to and from Kilcreggan, Gourock, Dunoon, Hunter's Quay, Wemyss Bay, Rothesay & Brodick. Tugs, tankers and container ships are constantly coming and going. Leisure craft, sail and power, abound and PS Waverley, the last seagoing-passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world, passes by several times a week in the summer. The UK submarine base at Faslane is just a few miles away at the top of the Gareloch, so submarines are a regular navigational challenge, and naval vessels such as warships, minesweepers, destroyers and even aircraft carriers regularly motor past.

  • As you might expect, there is an abundance of wildlife - seals, porpoises, dolphins, eider ducks with their very distinctive call, gannets, cormorants, terns and a range of other sea birds are all regular visitors - along with the occasional basking shark!

    There is always plenty of activity in this magnificent setting, whether you are out for an enjoyable day on the water, focusing on improving your skills or completing a qualification

submarine entering the Gare Loch, passing Rhu Marina

Incoming submarine passing Rhu Marina

The paddle steamer PS Waverley on the Clyde, the last ocean-going paddle steamer in the world and a common navigational challenge in the summer on You & Sea Maritime Training practical courses

PS Waverley, a regular summer visitor

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the military aircraft carrier, on a recent visit to Loch Long

HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier leaving Loch Long

The large cargo ship Hartland Point, the military supply vessel, sailing on Loch Long with a smaller minesweeper vessel nearby. Military vessels are a very common sight in this area

Hartland Point Naval Auxiliary vessel with a naval minehunter