Barrs Bothy, Loch Etive, December 2017

Paddlers: Hugh, Geoff and Steve W

Weather: Cold, Wet and Breezy (F3 from west)

Route: Bonawe to Barrs and v.v

Report:

Uncertain weather and certain adverse tides led to a late change to Loch Etive and Barrs Bothy. We drove right round to the quarry at Bonawe to collect the key at the Kilchattan Priory. The launch site, on the east side of the promontory is small and a bit awkward but was well sheltered from the brisk and cold westerly. Visibility was poor when it was not raining and lousy when it was.

View from the lunch break
Lunch

The paddle up took around 2.5 hours (incl Lunch) and we arrived in time for half an hours wood collection and splitting.

The Bothy was in excellent condition with a ton of firewood both inside and in the store. By darkness (4pm!) we were sitting in front of a raging fire drinking coffee and relaxing. The evening passed in a flash with beer, wine and some excellent whisky combined with good food and cards. The large hot toddies to finish, did just that.

Heavy rain during the night gradually cleared and a decent day looked on the cards. Sadly the large patches of blue contracted and eventually disappeared and the cold westerly wind persisted. The visibility however was much improved.

Looking North
Looking East towards Ben Starav
Looking West

The brisk paddle into the wind took us directly back to Bonawe in 1hr45.  After lunch, the car journey home and a prolonged stop at for a coffee and the Whisky shop in Tyndrum.

Despite the adverse weather it was an excellent weekend and our view is that this should become an annual club winter weekend destination.

For reports of earlier bothy trips simply type in Barrs in the search box.