Month: December 2016

Paddlers: David, Colin, John, Chris and Geoff (with Vonna in attendance at Carrick)

Weather: Mostly overcast but some breaks. Relatively mild for December. Light Breeze with very occasional strong gusts.

Route:

Report: The trip was set up for the forecast break in the grey, wet and windy weather. The five of us assembled at Finnart at the usual entry point at 10am. This launch point has degenerated over the years and the jetty some 800m further north is preferable. The crossing to Mark and the paddle south and west to Carrick Castle was uneventful except for a strong squall at the lighthouse. At Carrick a large timber carrier, the Red Princess, was loading. The RED PRINCESS  is a passenger/landing craft and is currently sailing under the flag of St Kitts & Nevis. RED PRINCESS has 63m length overall and beam of 14m. Her gross tonnage is 498 tons. Built in 1970 as F/B Aspasia, a Greek passenger/cargo ro/ro, she was converted in an Athens shipyard to a timber carrier specifically for use in Scotland.

On the beach at Carrick we were met by Vonna and her lovely collie dog. The offer of tea/coffee and a homemade mince pie was gratefully accepted.

As we finished an enjoyable and prolonged break there was slight panic as Colin’s boat decided to float off on the incoming tide. It was easily rescued however and we set off up the loch with litle defined objective, other than to get back before dark. The seals that often inhabit the point north of Cormonachan were absent so we crossed over to the cottage at Stuckbeg. This very attractive cottage/house, like Corran, is only really accessible by boat. At Stuckbeg we found the seals who surrounded the boats quite warily.

From Stuckbeg we headed back up Loch Goil and then Loch Long to visit the MBA bothy at Mark where Colin was delivering reading matter. In the bothy were 4 gents from the central belt gathered round a roaring fire with a few cans of beer. There was a slight interlude whilst Geoff explained and fitted a mantle on a new gas lantern for them.

From Mark it was back to Finnart arriving in the gathering gloom arriving about 15.15 having covered some 16-18km.

Overall the paddle was attractive and relaxing with the highlight being the mince pies at Carrick Castle.

 

Paddlers: Innes, Geoff

Weather: Calm but overcast and foggy. Cold

Route:

Report: The near completion of the third crossing inspired a voyage of discovery on the Forth. The weather was forecast to be calm and sunny all day but the early fog consolidated into a complete grey blanket. Our departure point in North Queensferry had been chosen on a previous aborted trip for protection and to minimise the ooze walking. In reality the launch point was still a good walk from the car and the “beach” was slimy mud. Not recommended; the slip at South Queensferry would be better. However the location is otherwise good being tucked underneath the vastness of the rail bridge in the old village.

The first of the many islands visited, Inch Garvie, is just under the bridge. It is covered with WW2 defences as are all the islands, the broken concrete not offering many attractions compared to the vast metal structure that looms over it

Compared to the Clyde the Forth is a busy river with a regular container service and oil and gas carriers. With fog drifting around throughout the morning there was always a worry that it might descend whilst we paddled across the shipping lanes. We carried VHF radios!

Our major target was the Inchholm and its Abbey. This is a lovely place to visit, thoroughly recommended, with two sand/gravel beaches to land on, and interesting ruins of both the thirteenth century Abbey but also the twentieth century WW2 fort. Picnic tables are provided for the occasional sea kayaker. We were the only people on the island.

On the north side of Incholm can be found Gnome Island. This little detached outcrop at the entrance of the north bay was covered with Garden Gnomes of every sort, size and description.

The very short day led to us abandoning a possible second target of Cramond Island in favour of a closer look at the bridges. There were a lot of seals around and on rather large male (how does one know?) decided to closely accompany us most of the way back.  At one stage he was right alongside the kayak. As I went to take a photo he dived with his tail soaking me in water.

The evening gloom was strangely attractive as this photo looking back towards Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat shows

The three Forth bridges represent three stages in the history of civil engineering: the 19th century rail bridge with its thousands on tons of wrought iron;the 20th elegant century road bridge supported by huge cable and now the longer 21st century road bridge with its mass of fine cables is nearing completion.

By 3.40 the light was failing and we were back at the cars for the long drive (1.5 hours) back to Helensburgh. What the trip lacked in terms of sun and beautiful scenery was more than compensated for by the interest and the lovely Abbey.