The forecast was for F2, gusting 3/4, from the north. Colin, Chris and I arrived at Luss to be greeted to a large assembly of singing church goers. It became apparent that a few folk were being baptised by being completely submerged into the warm loch waters. Our first obstacle was to get our boats and kit through the happy, cheery crowds and down to the waters edge. The evolution was akin to canoeing through a group of kayakers on a grade 3 play hole! Once achieved and after a quick safety and journey brief, we set out across to Inchlonaig. Colins new found goon stroke skill was well executed and he managed to keep a straight course without having to swap sides. (That said, the swimmer ahead seemed to be increasing his distance from us!).
We paddled anticlockwise around the island in the lee stopping at the beach on the NE end for a leg stretch. The northern part of the island was broadside to the wind and, with both Colin and Chris demonstrating their understanding of the importance of a good trim, we easily battled the cross wind. Chris was utilising his new skills, practicing upwind and downwind strokes, and the longer we paddled the more fluent his paddle strokes.
At the SW end of the island we covered another open water section down to the passage between Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach. Here the wind died once again and we enjoyed the peaceful paddle around to the bottom of Wallaby island. During a bite to eat the heavens opened. This would continue on more than off for the rest of the journey and, at times, a few cms of rain water had to be sponged out of my boat for fear of it totally submerging.
Rounding the southwestern tip of Wallaby island we had an awesome view of the nesting Osprey, but we must have got a wee bit too close as it flew off before I could shoot it (with a camera of course!). Shortly there after we did get to shepherd a swan. Not sure what the swan was thinking but it kept swimming in our direction.
Clockwise around Inchmoan took us to the little crannog castle island, Inchgalbraith. We decided to check it out. Thought to be the crannog stronghold of the clan Galbraith there is a remains of a small castle. Someone had recently stayed, and presumed plonking a big rock on the top of a fire will put it out! It didn’t and was still white hot.
Our next route was to return to Luss via the inland passage and past wee Peter, the statue of a boy. Luss pier was quite busy. Boats coming alongside, boats leaving the beach, crowds looking over the edge, SUPs, bike boats, jet skis and swimmers galore. We paddled under the pier and hugged the beach back to the start point. Good journey, no capsizes, a plethora of paddle skills practiced, wind and no wind and an Osprey made for a pleasant trip. Even the rain was nice.
Attendees; Tom Ridsdill (canoe leader), Colin Hosey and Chris Clark