Before you arrive
Before you plan to arrive please give us a call on 07485 089 309 to check the availability of berths. It is not necessary to call on approach on VHF 16 / 12 but we do listen out. If your passage plan changes and so does your estimated time of arrival, please call again to update us. We can reserve a spot for you but this is only possible if your arrival is between 0900 and 1600.
​
Tarbert is a live ferry terminal and as such no leisure vessel movements are permitted whilst the ferry is arriving or departing. Skippers must keep themselves informed of these times which are subject to change. Timetables are available at www.calmac.co.uk. There are notices to mariners also posted at the entrance to the ferry terminal office.
​
OVERVIEW
​
Tarbert and Scalpay North Harbour offer 220m of fully serviced pontoon berths with an additional 40m of berthing on the Tarbert attenuator, weather permitting. The Hammerhead is suitable for larger vessels (20m) and commercial vessels.
​
Both facilities offer electricity, water, Wi-fi, toilets, showers, with pay as you go laundry available in Tarbert.
​
Berths on the inside of the main pontoon and at the attenuators can accommodate vessels up to 3m draft at all states of the tide.
​
Tarbert pontoons are at the heart of the village with easy access to the Isle of Harris Distillery, Harris Tweed shop and other facilities in the village. Scalpay North Harbour is a quieter option but with great walks around the island.
TARBERT
​
PONTOON BERTHS:​
Tarbert facilities comprise a 24m access bridge to 100m of pontoon with 2 no. 20m by 4m concrete wave attenuators linked by access bridges at the head of the pontoon length.
​The pontoon sections are 10m each and numbered. The visitor berthing area is marked ‘visitor’ and are numbered 8 to 10 (south) and 11-15 (north). These are suitable for vessels with a draft up to 2m at the lowest Spring low water on the south side and up to 3m on the north side
The concrete attenuators have two finger piers with 4 more visitor berths marked 21-24. These are suitable for deep draft vessels at all states of tide. Berthing on the two attenuators outer edges is suitable for deep draft visitor vessels at all states of tide and berths are numbered 25 and 26. Each attenuator is 20m length.
NOTE: The outer edge of the attenuator berths are not suitable for any vessel in strong south, south easterly or easterly winds. The attenuators are also adjacent to the ferry link span and some backwash from the ferry bow thruster can be experienced when berthed here.
Pontoon sections numbered 1-7 and 10 (south) and 16-20 (north) are used by local boat users.
​
Additional visitor berths come available subject to local boat use and during neap tides. Please contact us.
​Vessels can raft up on the pontoons during busy periods over the season but should follow these simple rules:
​​
-
Be polite with your neighbour, ‘Mind if we come alongside?’
-
If you’re leaving early offer to go on the outside of the raft
-
Cross your neighbours vessel using the foredeck
-
Set up your lines and fenders well. Shore lines fore and aft and springs to your neighbour
-
Avoid your rigs clashing. Move fore or aft if the masts are in line
There is a slipway at the head of the bay adjacent to the quay. This area, including the area around the quay and inside of the pontoon access walkway, dries out at low water. Contact the marina manager for slipway use or using the quay to berth a vessel.
There is a harbour office with 3 shower, toilet, wash rooms (one accessible) on the quay together with laundry area with a washing machine and dryer. The Showers are on a meter, £1 coin needed. The laundry machines are coin operated. There is local and mariners information available here too. If the cabin is unattended you will need the code for the keypad lock. Call us on 07485 089 309
ANCHORAGES​
​
There is no anchoring permitted in the Tarbert harbour area.
​
The admiralty chart 2905 for East Loch Tarbert denotes anchorage ‘anchor’ symbols just outside the inner harbour area of Tarbert. This anchorage is directly in the path of the arriving and departing ferry so common sense is asked of Skippers intending to take the chart symbol literally. If you do anchor here at the north and south of these symbols please keep a good watch and listen out channel 16 if the ferry is due.
​
Good anchorage with protection from wind is to be had at Loch Ceann Dibig to the west of Scotasay. See admiralty chart 2905 with anchor symbols. This is an ‘away from it all’ option but has been popular over the years with some yachts and small commercial cruise operators.
​
DOCKING AT THE CALMAC PIER, TARBERT:
​
Docking at the Calmac pier is not permitted without prior consent from the Calmac office Tarbert. Call 01859 50 2444
​
See 'downloads' for Tarbert pontoon plans
SCALPAY
​
Scalpay facilities comprise a 24m access bridge to 120m of pontoon with an ‘elbow’ at the first 40m.
​
The pontoon sections are 10m each and numbered. The visitor berthing areas are marked ‘visitor’ and are numbered 47-50 (south) and 27-30 (north) These are suitable for vessels with a draft up to 2.5m at the lowest Spring low water (0.5m or under)
​
Pontoon sections numbered 43 – 46 (south) and 31 – 32 (north) are not suitable for vessels with a draft over 1.5m due to spring tide depth restrictions but can accommodate vessels to a draft up to 2.5 m at neap tides.
​
Pontoon sections 39 to 42 (South) and 35-38 (North) are available for local boat users.
​
Additional visitor berths come available subject to local boat use and at Neap tides. Please contact us.
There are 2 toilet and showers available in the Scalpay Community centre on the Fisheries pier, follow the signs. The Showers and toilets have been made available by the Scalpay community association. The showers are metered / pay as you go. There are currently no laundry facilities at Scalpay You can of course use the machines at the Tarbert cabin.
Vessels can raft up on the pontoons during busy periods over the season but should follow these simple rules:​
-
Be polite with your neighbour, ‘Mind if we come alongside?’
-
If you’re leaving early offer to go on the outside of the raft
-
Cross your neighbours vessel using the foredeck
-
Set up your lines and fenders well. Shore lines fore and aft and springs to your neighbour
-
Avoid your rigs clashing. Move fore or aft if the masts are in line
ANCHORAGES
​
The South Harbour of Scalpay has good anchorages, see Admiralty chart 2905 for suggested anchor spots.
​
THE FISHERIES PIER AT SCALPAY NORTH HARBOUR
​
This is a commercial fisheries pier and as such is reserved for fishing vessels. Scalpay North harbour is a working harbour so visiting yachts must be aware that there are vessel movements to and from the harbour at all times.
​
See 'downloads' for Scalpay pontoon plans.
LIMITATIONS TO USE
​
The Tidal limitations at each site are described above. The extremes apply at the lowest Spring tides. Please see the tidal information for the year in ‘Downloads’ or refer to detailed tidal information on a variety of formats. If you use UKHO Admiralty ‘Easy tide’ then please note that the tidal information required is for E. Loch Tarbert and not East Loch Tarbert.
​
If you need advice on the draft of your vessel and where to berth then please contact us.
​
The two facilities at Tarbert and Scalpay offer shelter and berthing in East Loch Tarbert in differing wind conditions.
Tarbert is exposed in strong East, South East and Southerly winds. Berthing North and south of the Pontoon behind the attenuator offers some protection.
​
Scalpay is exposed to strong West and North West winds although the configuration of the pontoon allows for this.
TARBERT & SCALPAY - PRICES 2024
Prices for the 2024 season for visiting yachts and leisure craft are:
Per day or overnight: £2.70 per metre or part thereof
​
INCLUDES ELECTRICITY, WATER, WI-FI, TOILETS, AND REFUSE.
LAUNDRY PAY AS YOU GO, SHOWERS ARE METERED AT TARBERT AND SCALPAY
(Scalpay toilets access 50p, this facility is run by Scalpay Community Association)
At busy periods some rafting up on the pontoons will be required.
​
WEEKLY RATES: £14.00 per metre LOA per week, including electricity, water, wi-fi
MONTHLY RATE: £42.00 per metre LOA per month, including wi-fi and water but excluding electricity.
​
All visiting Vessels must check in with us on arrival.
Call 07485 089 309. Please Leave a message if busy.
For a more extensive list of marina prices please see our downloads or click here.
TARBERT FACILITIES​
-
All the berths are provided with Free electricity and water for your use during your stay
-
Free Wi-Fi is available across the area of the pontoon facility. Just look network name 'tarbert marina wi-fi' and click in it, input the password given by the manager.
-
There is also CCTV coverage for vessel and crew safety.
-
Toilets are free in Tarbert, showers are metered, £1 coin needed.
-
Big commercial Laundry machines are coin operated £3 for a wash and £1 for 10 min. drying
-
Competitive weekly and monthly rates available, so why not leave your vessel with us and explore!
SCALPAY FACILITIES​
-
All the berthing areas are provided with Free electricity and water for your use during your stay
-
Free Wi-Fi is available across the area of the pontoon facility, look for network name 'scalpay marina wi-fi and input the password that you have been given by the manager
-
There is also CCTV coverage for vessel and crew safety.
-
Toilets and showers are available courtesy of the Scalpay Community Association and are on a meter, pay as you go, £1 coins needed.
At busy periods some rafting up on the pontoons will be required. Weekly, monthly composite rates available please contact us
BOOKINGS
​
Bookings can be made by calling 07485 089 309 or by emailing info@isleofharrismarina.co.uk
Tarbert and Scalpay pontoons are attended by a manager. You can pay directly or as below. If you need to call us to pay (or for any enquiries) the number is 07485 089 309.
​
-
Use the ‘PAY NOW’ button below. You can use your paypal account or any credit or debit card (scroll down to find the card payment option)
-
Alternatively you can use your online banking App on your phone or computer and make payment to: ​Harris Development limited SORT CODE: 80-09-83 ACCOUNT NUMBER 10038966
-
There is also a letterbox at both sites in to which you can leave a note and cash payment if you want
Please use your vessel name and the date as a reference E.G ‘Dignity190618’
YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS IMPORTANT AS IT SECURES THIS FACILITY FOR THE FUTURE
Harris Development limited is a not for profit organisation
​