Arisaig to Oban
Club Trip August 27th to September 2nd
Distance 82 Km, winds mainly from the North and light
Steve Wheaton
Geoff Riddington
Gordon Smith
Robert Steele
Robbie MacLachlan
The route was initially planned as a South to North continuation of the Helensburgh to Oban trip completed in May 2019. Late North going tides and Northerly winds, though light, combined to make a North to South trip easier.
Friday 27th
Drove up to Back of Keppoch campsite, dinner in Arisaig Hotel.
Two cars left at site.
Sat 28th
0900 start down through skerries, around Rubh’ Arisaig for morning stop on unnamed beach N of Eilean an t-Snidhe. Crossed Sound of Arisaig to Smirisary. Lunch at bay on mainland E of Eilean Coille. PM – S by Eilean Shona to Ardtoe and final stop of the day at bay just N of Camas an Lighe. Dinner and campfire.
Sun 29th
N wind picked up during night and left choppy sea along the N Arnamurchan coast. Stop S of Ockle Point and lunch at Fascadale Bay. Evening paddle into Sanna Bay and camp on beach between Sanna and Portuairk. Walk over the hill to Portuairk but forewent the hotel for the fantastic beach for dinner and a glowing sunset and black night sky.
Mon 30th
Light winds from the N / NE and a perfect day for rounding the Point of Ardnamurchan. All wanted to visit the light. Tried the beach just to the E but steep and rocky. Found shelter and sand just to the S and an easy walk up to the light. Coffee and cake from the shop.
Sheltered paddle S & E to Rubhan a’ Chall for lunch. Onto Sron Bneag and departure for crossing to Ardmore Point and run down coast to Tobermoray and Calve Island for the night. Spoke with an incumbent of the farm house and told to enjoy the island, recommending the breezier N end for a chance to avoid the midges. Into town for supplies, dinner and a pint at the Mishnish.
Tue 31st
The high pressure system continues to hold and the winds though very light remain in our favour from the N. Staying on the Mull shore headed S to Rubh’ a’ Ghlaisich for a morning stop and later a rendezvous with Robbie at the Airstrip. Robbie had paddled up from the Craignure that morning. Crossed the Sound and followed the Morven coast past Lochaline to Ardtornish Bay for the night camp. Dinner and a beach bonfire.
Wed 1st
Last full paddling day. Re crossed sound via islands at the S entrance, waiting inside Sgeir nan Gobhar for a ferry to pass before continuing to Craignure Bay for a stop. Lunch below Duart Castle. Remainder of the afternoon down to Eilean a’ Mhadaidh and crossing the Firth of Lorn to Kerrera and Slatrach Bay for the night. Campfire and another great sunset.
Thu 2nd
Only 6Km to Ganavan Bay with a fare morning tide from the South.
Boats beached and drivers Geoff & Gordon relayed back to Arisaig by Robbie.
The HCC Scottish odyssey is now 2 weeks out from Helensburgh, next year Ullapool ?
We can only hope for a repeat of such fine weather.
Steve Wheaton
