CharityCoastalStornoway, Isle of Lewis, Na h-Eileanan SiarStornoway Harbour
Stornoway Sailing Club
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Dinghy sailing, Junior sailing, Adult sailing, Keelboat-owner welcome, Theory sessions, Family sailing, Accessible dinghy sailing
Beginner
The club says it welcomes all ages and ability levels, from complete beginners to experienced sailors. Its quick-start guidance explains what first-timers should expect at a club session, including being paired with someone of suitable experience and using an appropriate boat for first steps into sailing.
Training
Training-style support is described through volunteer help, onshore theory sessions when weather prevents sailing, and shore-based closed-season sessions covering theory, weather, racing, ropework, navigation, boat maintenance and repair. The site identifies the commodore as an RYA Dinghy Senior Instructor, but no current RYA course calendar or bookable RYA course offer was found on the checked pages.
Stornoway Sailing Club is a family-oriented dinghy sailing club on Stornoway Harbour, sailing from Cuddy Point with junior/adult activity, beginner-friendly sessions, safety-boat support and accessible dinghy capability.
The club offers a Day Membership for up to two day sessions and says visitors who want to get on the water while on holiday can come to an officially organised club session. Session attendance requires membership and advance communication via the details posted for the session, usually on Facebook. A 2023 news item mentions a trial session, but no current open-day programme was found.
The club describes itself as small, friendly and family-orientated, with dinghy sailing for juniors and adults. It gives junior starting guidance: children usually start sailing solo from around age eight, while children as young as six may go afloat with an experienced volunteer in benign conditions if accompanied by a parent. Family and student/junior memberships are listed, and the site links to a child protection policy.
Access
The club says its RS Venture Connect allows it to introduce people with mobility impairments to sailing, and a news item says the boat can convert into a sailability boat for people with mobility challenges. The FAQ invites people unsure whether they can go afloat to contact the club confidentially to discuss requirements. Detailed access information for the launch site, changing, parking, toilets or step-free access was not found.
Costs
Costs, sessions, and boats
Prices
Current-year membership fees are listed as Family GBP 80, Individual GBP 50, Student/Junior GBP 25, Honorary non-sailing/Radio-controlled no charge, and Day Member GBP 10 adults or GBP 5 juniors for up to two day sessions. The club also lists a GBP 4 per-session fee as a contribution to safety boat costs. Concessionary and corporate memberships may be available case by case.
Official site describes a small family-orientated club sailing around Stornoway Harbour from Cuddy Point, welcoming all ages and abilities; it also notes a new RS Venture Connect with Sailability capability.
The FAQ says club-owned boats cannot be hired out because of insurance. It says visitors can instead join an officially organised club session using Day Membership. Beginners are welcome to use club boats while learning during club sessions.
Facilities
Facilities and equipment
Club dinghy fleet· OtherCuddy Point sailing venue· OtherNewton Marina future-base context· OtherOnshore theory sessions· OtherRS Venture Connect· OtherSafety boat· Safety
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