Ports and harbours
All the important west coast harbours and ports, from Glasgow up to Kinlochbervie, are sited in sea lochs or the sounds between islands. Large vessels can safely dock or anchor in their deep, sheltered waters. Ferries continue to be a vital link to many of the offshore islands transporting most goods as well as people. For visitors the ferry journey is often the first experience of the unique atmosphere of the west coast of Scotland in its many moods.
Larger vessels fishing in the Minch or in the deep water off the west of Scotland land their catches in the sheltered ports of Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Mallaig or Oban, or transfer their catches to the fleet of foreign factory ships or ‘Klondykers’ to be found anchored in Loch Broom in the late summer.
Small jetties and slipways scatter the shores of the sea lochs; a legacy of times before good Highland roads when most transport between coastal settlements was by sea. Now these jetties are used by fishermen as places to stack their creels, as pick-up points for fish and launch points for small craft.