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This 150pp A4 pilot provides both sailing directions and comprehensive harbour and anchorage plans from Berwick to Fraserburgh, covering both major ports and anchorages for fine weather and the adventurous. The Forth and Clyde Canal is covered in detail, together with its approaches. Large colour plans show depths, approach tracks where critical, shore features and facilities, and most are accompanied by aerial photographs which give an excellent idea of the coastal appearance and any hazards. Use of both plans and photographs can greatly increase the confidence of skippers entering new ports. Text, facing plans, has sections for each port: approaches with recommended times for entry, hazards to watch, dangerous wind conditions; mooring with depths, VHF channels and telephone numbers; and facilities including water, shops, transport, places of interest and transport. Comments such as "well worth a visit" or "industrial surroundings subject to vandalism" assist choice of ports to get the best while cruising Scotland's splendid east coast.
Five distance tables and a comprehensive index are included. The spiral binding allows it to lie open beside the skipper while entering ports. Details of 15 sources of weather forecasts are also included. Each section is prefaced with a list of the relevant Admiralty charts. Corrections are available on the FYCA web site at www.fyca.org.uk
The authors have avoided giving waypoints, although now highly fashionable, but perhaps wise in this period where datums are being changed and can lead to dangerous errors. For the same reason the omission of latitude and longitude scales on charts can be forgiven; in any case the pilot must be used in conjunction with up-to-date charts. The scales should be improved; units are M, m, Metres, Cables, Mile, Nautical Mile and unspecified, and occasionally "not to scale".
This most attractively produced detailed pilot will add both to safe navigation and enjoyment to cruising in this area, and can be highly recommended both to those based in the area or undertaking round-Britain cruises.
Ray Glaister