West coast of Scotland 'best for sailing'

The Olympics may have encouraged a lot of people to try new sports and that could include many from Northern Ireland who were happy to see the Union flag hoisted at Weymouth as Ben Ainslie celebrated his fourth successive gold medal.

While the Dorset resort was chosen for the Games due to it being in the south of England and relatively close to London, the best place for sailing in Britain is much further north, according to sailor John MacKay, who will take part in the round-the-world Vendee Globe regatta later this year.

He remarked: "The best sailing in the world is the west coast of Scotland in the Malin and Hebrides region. It is not dear to charter a boat. You just need one person on board with some good sailing experience and half a dozen people who are family can go sailing. You will have the time of your life."

People catching ferries from Larne to Troon can access this side of Scotland and Mr MacKay noted there is much else to see in the "indescribable" and "beautiful" region, such as experiencing its food, castles and scenery.

While acknowledging that there are many good places to sail in the UK, he insisted Malin and the Hebrides are incomparable.

Mr MacKay also recommended sailing to people because it can be very relaxing and a good way to wind down from the stress of daily life, as well as being a sport that people from all backgrounds can enjoy amid a friendly and down-to-Earth sailing community.

Visitors from Northern Ireland who go sailing off the coast of Scotland will be doing something thousands of Britons have neglected to do.

A survey by VisitScotland and SailWest has revealed nearly ten million Britons have never been out on the ocean in a sailing boat, despite the fact that nobody in the UK lives more than 70 miles from the sea.

Posted by Mark Robinson

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