Garvellachs: Oct 2nd 2011

 

The Garvellachs

 

Paddlers: Hugh, Geoff, Innis, Ruth, Alan and Sue

Report: On the journey to Easdale it rained, oh how it rained. Cloud brushed the car as we crossed through the mountains. Turning back was not however an option and as we approached Easdale at 10.15 it stopped  and the cloud started to lift. It was the start of one of the best days of the year and we were in one of the most fantastic settings in the world.

The Garvellachs are a small chain of islands in the Firth of Lorn to the south east of Mull. Surrounding them are seas with strong currents that flow at odd times (changes in tidal flows do not coincide with high or low water). Landing is difficult on both main islands and impossible on the others.

 

 

Hugh Briefing
Ready to Go

The Clouds lift over Mull

Thanks to Hugh’s navigation skills we managed to travel down to the islands with the southerly current and back up with a  northerly flow. There was a substantial swell and where this was broken (by clapotis by the 300ft cliffs and by currents in open water, the surface was less than flat.

 

Not the easiest of Landings
Lunch in the sun

Because of the tidal flow there was only just time for a brief cup of tea at each of the main islands and no time to investigate the old Celtic monastery and the burial ground and no landing for the castle.

The Bothy on Garbh Eilach

 

The end of Garbh Eilach showing cliff

 

We arrived back in Easdale just after 5 having covered some 28km. A great sea kayaking day.