Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Due to MCA regulations the marina needs a secured gate which is being fitted as part of the CMAL pier improvements. Only berth holders and their crew are authorised to enter the marina – and in the interim and until a secured gate is fitted, a simple chain has been fitted to the marina entrance. Anyone entering would, as a deliberate action, have to remove the chain, indicating their agreement to enter the marina at their own risk. Please therefore replace the chain so that others understand the same message. This is important. Thank you.
The plan is that in 2022 it will not be attended, however best effort will be made by FAQ / social media / email / phone – preferably in that order so we can share the workload across a group of volunteers; which is easier to do with social media. There will be volunteers that visit from time to time however – and if you need anything we will do our best to help although as with other marinas, we obviously cannot be available 24/7.
Please do check the information on the site first though as it already contains what the average visiting yacht will need to know.
Just less than half a mile up the main road from the marina is a diesel and petrol pump. There is a wheelbarrow at the marina for this purpose, or we might be able to give you a lift if one of us is around. You pay for the fuel at the shop across the road. The shop has some basic groceries available. If you use Google maps and search for J Morrison, Lochmaddy that’ll show you where it is. If you travel regularly here or are intending to stay for some time, red diesel (if you qualify to use it) can be obtained at select locations by the use of a ‘council fuel key’. That can be applied for by clicking here. The process takes a couple of weeks from application to receipt of the key – and the money is taken straight from your bank account. I can attest that from my experience the council team were amazingly helpful and the process of getting fuel is painless.
On the right hand side and across from the Lochmaddy Hotel is Taigh Chearsabhagh. This contains a small museum, cafe and gift shop as well as a post office.
The Lochmaddy Hotel which is just a few hundred yards away does great sit in food and also takeaway. There is also another restaurant called Hamersay House around 15 mins walk from the marina; they also do takeaway. See the North Uist page for other places to eat.
Everywhere in Lochmaddy is closed on a Sunday apart from Lochmaddy Hotel, so please plan ahead.
There are general waste facilities within the marina. Unfortunately there are currently no disposal facilities for oil or batteries and will not be for the 2022 season.
As with all of the islands in this beautiful part of the world, mobile or cellular service can be patchy. Within Lochmaddy mobile service is only really available via EE, with usually a strong signal and 4G connectivity within the car park above the pontoons. Boats with proper aerials that are well placed may be able to connect to this. It is unlikely you will get a phone signal however on the pontoon and especially at low tide.
Unfortunately there is no WiFI access at the moment. This is being investigated however and we hope to have some connectivity in the coming months.
As with most marinas this is not always monitored, however we may be contacted on channel 12.