Coast & harbours
Lerwick Port Authority
Lerwick, Shetland Islands · Lerwick Harbour
£78 a year for a 10m yacht
Cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in Scotland
Every site here with a published price, cheapest first, worked out for the same boat so the figures compare. Marinas and harbours that say they take boats over 12m (40ft): a stated maximum length, or a published price for a boat that size. Canal sites that only take narrowboats are left out; see 70ft narrowboat moorings for those.
53 sites · 3 with space now · 3 with a waiting list · typical £2,484 a year for a 12m boat (£78–£7,440 across 53 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 53 sites: 16 on canals, 2 on the Broads, lakes and lochs, 4 on estuaries and tidal rivers and 31 on the open coast.
- 3 of the 53 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Nairn Harbour, Whitehills Marina and Port Bannatyne Marina.
- Keeping a waiting list: Burghead Harbour, Portmahomack Harbour and Ardoran Marine.
- For a 12m boat, published prices run from £78 a year (Lerwick Port Authority) to £7,440 a year (Kirkwall Marina); the middle of 53 is £2,484 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 100m (328ft) at James Watt Marina.
- Of the 53, 38 have electric hook-up, 12 a pump-out, 20 diesel, 6 a boat hoist and 14 visitor berths.
- 7 of the 53 allow liveaboards, outright or by arrangement.
- Groups running more than one: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (2), Moray Council (4), Orkney Marinas Ltd (3), Scottish Canals (18), The Highland Council (2) and Yacht Havens (2).
Coast & harbours
Eyemouth Harbour
Eyemouth, Scottish Borders · Eyemouth Harbour
£103 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Kelpies Marina
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Coast & harbours
Ulva Ferry Pontoon
Ulva Ferry, Argyll and Bute · Sound of Ulva
£352 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Berneray Harbour
Berneray, Na h-Eileanan Siar · Sound of Harris
£413 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Kallin Harbour
Grimsay, Isle of North Uist, Na h-Eileanan Siar · Kallin Harbour
£413 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Gairloch Harbour
Gairloch, Highland · Loch Gairloch
£403 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Hopeman Harbour
Hopeman, Moray · Moray Firth
£717 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Portknockie Harbour
Portknockie, Moray · Moray Firth
£717 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Girvan Harbour
Girvan, South Ayrshire · Firth of Clyde
£807 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Buckie Harbour
Buckie, Moray · Moray Firth
£893 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Waiting list
Burghead Harbour
Burghead, Moray · Moray Firth
£893 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Reddingmuirhead
Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk · Union Canal
£1,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Linear
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,798 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lock 16 Moorings
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,936 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Cadder Wharf
Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,389 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Coast & harbours
Tarbert Harbour
Tarbert, Argyll and Bute · Loch Fyne
£1,680 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Peterhead Bay Marina
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire · Peterhead Bay, North Sea
£1,500 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Berths available
Nairn Harbour
Nairn, Highland · Moray Firth
£1,545 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Waiting list
Portmahomack Harbour
Portmahomack, Highland · Dornoch Firth
£1,545 a year for a 10m yacht
Broads, lakes & lochs
Laggan Avenue
Laggan, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£1,705 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Kirkintilloch Linear
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,042 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Coast & harbours
Berths available
Whitehills Marina
Whitehills, Aberdeenshire · Moray Firth
£1,800 a year for a 10m yacht
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Kirkcudbright Marina
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway · River Dee
£1,871 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Lochaline Harbour
Lochaline, Highland · Sound of Mull
£2,472 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Southbank Marina
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,595 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Coast & harbours
Lochboisdale Harbour
Lochboisdale, Na h-Eileanan Siar · Lochboisdale
£2,103 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Ardrishaig Basin
Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£3,761 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Bellanoch Marina
Bellanoch, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
Prices not published
Broads, lakes & lochs
Gairlochy
Gairlochy, Highland · Caledonian Canal and Loch Lochy
£2,207 a year for a 10m cruiser
Coast & harbours
Waiting list
Ardoran Marine
Oban, Argyll and Bute · Loch Feochan
£2,350 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Speirs Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Ardrishaig Basin Dummy Lock
Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£4,513 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club
Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute · Gare Loch
£2,592 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Seaport Marina
Inverness, Highland · Caledonian Canal
Prices not published
Canals
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£4,704 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Bowling Lower Basin
Bowling, West Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
Prices not published
Coast & harbours
Kerrera Marina
Oban, Argyll and Bute · Ardentrive Bay, Firth of Lorn
£3,740 a year for a 10m yacht
Estuaries & tidal rivers
James Watt Marina
Greenock, Inverclyde · Firth of Clyde
£3,180 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Rothesay Marina
Rothesay, Argyll and Bute · Rothesay Harbour
£3,420 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Berths available
Port Bannatyne Marina
Port Bannatyne, Argyll and Bute · Kyles of Bute
£3,997 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Holy Loch Marina
Dunoon, Argyll and Bute · Firth of Clyde
£4,440 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Clyde Marina
Ardrossan, North Ayrshire · Firth of Clyde
£4,530 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Kip Marina
Inverkip, Inverclyde · Firth of Clyde
£4,620 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Troon Yacht Haven
Troon, South Ayrshire · Firth of Clyde
£4,730 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Lochrin Basin
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£8,633 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Rhu Marina
Rhu, Argyll and Bute · Firth of Clyde
£5,110 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Campbeltown Marina
Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute · Campbeltown Loch
£5,520 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Stromness Marina
Stromness, Orkney Islands · Stromness Harbour
£6,012 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Largs Yacht Haven
Largs, North Ayrshire · Firth of Clyde
£6,030 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Kirkwall Marina
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands · Kirkwall Harbour
£6,204 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Westray Marina
Pierowall, Orkney Islands · Pierowall Harbour
£6,204 a year for a 10m yacht
Compared: prices for a 12m boat
| Site | Where | A year, 12m boat | Per metre a year | Longest boat | Widest beam | Deepest draught | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lerwick Port Authority | Lerwick, Lerwick Harbour | £78 | £6.48 | 15m (49ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Eyemouth Harbour | Eyemouth, Eyemouth Harbour | £124 | £10.32 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kelpies Marina | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £273 | £22.72 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Ulva Ferry Pontoon | Ulva Ferry, Sound of Ulva | £352 | £29.34 | 16m (52ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Berneray Harbour | Berneray, Sound of Harris | £652 | £54.33 | 14m (46ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kallin Harbour | Grimsay, Isle of North Uist, Kallin Harbour | £652 | £54.33 | 14m (46ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Gairloch Harbour | Gairloch, Loch Gairloch | £759 | £63.25 | 14m (46ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Hopeman Harbour | Hopeman, Moray Firth | £860 | £71.67 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Portknockie Harbour | Portknockie, Moray Firth | £860 | £71.67 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Girvan Harbour | Girvan, Firth of Clyde | £968 | £80.65 | 17m (56ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Buckie Harbour | Buckie, Moray Firth | £1,072 | £89.30 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Burghead Harbour | Burghead, Moray Firth | £1,072 | £89.30 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Waiting list |
| Reddingmuirhead | Reddingmuirhead, Union Canal | £1,081 | £90.12 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Linear | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,242 | £103.49 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lock 16 Moorings | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,337 | £111.45 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Cadder Wharf | Bishopbriggs, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,650 | £137.52 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Tarbert Harbour | Tarbert, Loch Fyne | £1,680 | £140 | 30m (98ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Peterhead Bay Marina | Peterhead, Peterhead Bay, North Sea | £1,800 | £150 | 22m (72ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Nairn Harbour | Nairn, Moray Firth | £2,003 | £166.92 | 12m (39ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Portmahomack Harbour | Portmahomack, Dornoch Firth | £2,003 | £166.92 | 14m (46ft) | – | – | Waiting list |
| Laggan Avenue | Laggan, Caledonian Canal | £2,046 | £170.52 | 45m (148ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kirkintilloch Linear | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,102 | £175.14 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Auchinstarry Marina | Kilsyth, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,110 | £175.80 | 19m (62ft) | 3.5m | 1.6m | Not reported |
| Whitehills Marina | Whitehills, Moray Firth | £2,160 | £180 | 12m (39ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Kirkcudbright Marina | Kirkcudbright, River Dee | £2,245 | £187.05 | 15m (49ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lochaline Harbour | Lochaline, Sound of Mull | £2,472 | £206 | 15m (49ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Southbank Marina | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,484 | £206.97 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lochboisdale Harbour | Lochboisdale, Lochboisdale | £2,523 | £210.27 | 18m (59ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Ardrishaig Basin | Ardrishaig, Crinan Canal | £2,598 | £216.53 | 26.8m (88ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Bellanoch Marina | Bellanoch, Crinan Canal | £2,641 | £220.08 | 14m (46ft) | 3.5m | – | Not reported |
| Gairlochy | Gairlochy, Caledonian Canal and Loch Lochy | £2,648 | £220.67 | 45m (148ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Ardoran Marine | Oban, Loch Feochan | £2,820 | £235 | 14m (46ft) | – | – | Waiting list |
| Speirs Wharf | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | £258.67 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Ardrishaig Basin Dummy Lock | Ardrishaig, Crinan Canal | £3,118 | £259.83 | 26.8m (88ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club | Helensburgh, Gare Loch | £3,156 | £263 | 13.7m (45ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Seaport Marina | Inverness, Caledonian Canal | £3,243 | £270.24 | 16m (52ft) | 4m | – | Not reported |
| Fort Augustus | Fort Augustus, Caledonian Canal | £3,250 | £270.82 | 45m (148ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Bowling Lower Basin | Bowling, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,415 | £284.58 | 17m (56ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kerrera Marina | Oban, Ardentrive Bay, Firth of Lorn | £3,740 | £311.67 | 22m (72ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| James Watt Marina | Greenock, Firth of Clyde | £3,816 | £318 | 100m (328ft) | – | – | Not reported |
From each site's published tariff. "–" means the site doesn't say. Prices change; confirm with the site.
Questions
How much does a mooring for a 12m boat cost in Scotland?
Across the 53 cheapest marinas for boats over 12m here that publish a price, a 12m boat costs from £78 a year at Lerwick Port Authority to £7,440 a year at Kirkwall Marina. The middle figure is £2,484 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in Scotland?
For a 12m boat, Lerwick Port Authority is cheapest at £78 a year.
Which cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in Scotland have space now?
3 of the 53 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Nairn Harbour, Whitehills Marina and Port Bannatyne Marina. Each page shows the date they told us and what they have.
Where can I keep a boat over 12m (39ft) in Scotland?
All 53 say they take a boat that long. Stated maximums: Lerwick Port Authority (15m (49ft)), Eyemouth Harbour (20m (66ft)), Kelpies Marina (19m (62ft)), Ulva Ferry Pontoon (16m (52ft)), Berneray Harbour (14m (46ft)), Kallin Harbour (14m (46ft)), Gairloch Harbour (14m (46ft)), Hopeman Harbour (20m (66ft)) and 45 more. Check beam and draught too.
Can you live aboard at cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in Scotland?
7 of the 53 say you can: Kelpies Marina (liveaboards allowed), Girvan Harbour (liveaboard by arrangement), Auchinstarry Marina (residential moorings with planning consent), Southbank Marina (residential moorings with planning consent), Speirs Wharf (residential moorings with planning consent), Seaport Marina (residential moorings with planning consent) and Lochrin Basin (residential moorings with planning consent). Living aboard can need planning consent and council tax; ask each site about its terms.
Do I need a licence as well as a mooring?
On top of the mooring fee: of these, 18 need a Scottish Canals licence and 4 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
Cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in Scotland, by county
Cheapest marinas for boats over 12m in other areas
- England 129
- Northern Ireland 3
- Wales 8
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