Opening Cruise to Blackness
Published 13:01 on 18 May 2026
Three boats - Lucinda, Stravaig and Scherzo - set off at lunchtime on Saturday 16th May for the opening cruise to a new venue - Blackness Boat Club.
It was also a first cruise for Lucinda under Jennie and Howie's ownership. Seeaway had visited a few weeks earlier and given glowing reports for both the club and the Lobster Pot where we had booked dinner.
There was a light northeast wind, and Scherzo got under way first, able to make use of her shallow draft to sneak over the bar and out via the race marks to the west.
The wind died as she reached Hound Point and she had to motor under the bridges. Off Rosyth the wind picked up again but now from the west. As it was still light and no longer from a favourable direction the engine stayed on until Blackness.
Members from Blackness Boat Club helped Chris with berthing alongside the pier and he went for a walk to the top of hill next to the castle to play spot the other Cramond boats. He spied Lucinda inbound and went back to help them tie up.
Stravaig had to stop for diesel at Port Edgar and they got delayed for over an hour (the payment system wasn't working) so by the time they arrived in Blackness the tide was falling fast and it was too risky for them to come in to the pier - there was only about 4 feet of water left, her draught is similar and there are rocks all around the outer end.
So Chris went out in his inflatable to help Stravaig on to a mooring and assist with transferring Kay, Alan and Grace ashore.
We all enjoyed a well-earned drink in the friendly boat club before going for dinner, where we were joined by Andrew. I'm happy to say both the club and pub lived up to Seeaway's excellent report, and the hospitality was enjoyed by all.
On Sunday morning Stravaig and Scherzo set off around 6am for Burntisland.
The wind had become a brisk westerly and with the rapidly ebbing tide both boats made good progress, getting to Burntisland and enjoying a pleasant breakfast in Stravaig's cockpit.
Scherzo set off first for Cramond in the late morning and the now flooding tide meant progress towards Inchmickery was good despite one wild squall. Arriving off Cramond Island, the tide gauge at Leith was only showing 3.6 metres so it was necessary to heave-to and wait for more water.
Stravaig left slightly later and was able to come straight in. A hail storm came through Cramond while they were sorting the boats, and thoughts turned to Lucinda still on her way. Finally, Lucinda arrived safely from Blackness, reporting that they had encountered nasty waves under the bridges with wind against tide.
It was noted that Queensferry Crossing weather station had reported gusts up to 32 mph.
A great weekend was had by all at a very friendly neighbouring club, and it was a relief to see everyone safely back on their Cramond moorings in conditions that were sometimes testing, and at other times absolutely glorious.
