Balmeanach Bay
Our location
Our main base is just south of Portree in Balmeanach Bay. This is a lovely spot opposite the Isle of Raasay from where we deliver our powerboat courses. This gives a great staging base for a lot of the west coast of Scotland, a superb area for doing a powerboat qualification, getting training on your own boat or just exploring with family and friends.
We are recognised as an RYA Training Centre and are able to deliver the following RYA powerboat courses: Level 1, Level 2, Intermediate and Advanced.
Portree is the main town on the Isle of Skye. It is a bustling port, used by both fishing boats and pleasure boats, set round its natural harbour and fringed by high ground and cliffs. It is also a thriving cultural centre and a popular tourist destination. The town is a popular base for exploring the rest of the island. Many visitors are drawn to the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Ridge to the north as this wild area is dominated by weird and wonderful at the same time rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the truly extraordinary pinnacles of the Quaraing. To the south there is the spectacular Cuillin ridge, and a variety of different scenery heading down towards the Sleat perninsula. Further information on Portree and the Isle of Skye can be found here, including details of accommodation, attractions, activities and events.
Our boat
Our boat
Our Highfield 540 is powered by a Honda 100hp Outboard, and has been provided by Highfield UK. It was previously their demo boat and is only 2 years old. It has been commercially coded to carry 6 people and can operate 20 miles from a safe haven during the day and 3 miles from a safe haven at night.
MCA coding reassures you that we meet all safety and professional standards to do this, and we are regularly inspected by both the MCA and RYA to ensure that we comply.
Further information can be found here.
Our staff
Mike Shepherd is the RYA Principal and Chief Instructor. He has spent over 35 years working as a Watersports Coach all around Europe, but moved to the Isle of Skye in 2016 to establish this business. He also acts as the Chief Instructor for West Highland College, delivering courses on their maritime courses. He is an Advanced Powerboat Instructor qualification< VHF/SRC Assessor, Shore based Instructor, Sea Survival Instructor as well as holding many other outdoor coaching qualifications.
Dr Caroline Langdon is our other Director. She is an environmental consultant, Dive Master and also holds a commercially endorsed Powerboat license.
Further information can be found here.