Author: GeoffR

Paddlers (Aldlochlay): Geoff, Euan, Mike(H), Stewart, Stuart, Adele, Robin; Ross M, Matt E, Sam S, Jenny, Eva, Rosie, Bella, Jess, William

(Duck Bay): Hugh, Tim, Francis, Jeanette

Weather: Fine , light breeze on Saturday, heavy rain at night, mixed and breezy on Sunday

Routes:

NOTE: If you want a larger version of any photo just click on it. Then to save it right click amnd select top option.

Report: 20 members ventured out on a weekend with a forecast of wind and rain. Hugh’s sea kayak group enjoyed a paddle over to Port Ban on Inchcailloch where Hugh demonstrated that quality catering is quite possible. They then travelled on to Inchconnachan where they met up with the Young Beginners camping group.

 

After the main group departed, the sea kayakers went Wallaby hunting and were rewarded with a sighting. Meanwhile camp was being established and dinner cooked.

After dinner the sea kayakers departed for the long trip back to Duck Bay whilst the main group embarked on a paddle aroundInchmoan including a visit to the castle atInchgalbraith. During the trip Stewart joined us for the evening. We eventually got back to the camp about 9.30 and had more to eat and drink around the camp fire.

During the nighjt there was torrential rain whcih stopped just as we got up at 8am.  Tim and Robin arrived around 9 because of the terrible forecast of wind and rain. However, although we had both, neither made the return trip unpleasant.

 

We were back at 11.30 and the sun shone as we loaded the cars and trailer. Another very successful canoe camp. Thanks to everyone involved.

Paddlers: Euan, Geoff, Tim, Allan, Tim L., Mike H., Adele, Stewart, Jess, Rosie, Bella, William, Matt L.,  Matt E., Alie, Eva, Jenny (17)

Weather: Excellent

Route: Balloch (Rowing Club)-Dumbarton (Old Bridge)

 

Report: Equipping 17 and getting cars to the end point took some time but we eventually got away just after 19.30 expecting a 2 hour trip.

However the Loch was high and the river was full and running at over 3mph. The level affectively washed out the normal small rapids and replaced these with a worry about catching capsized paddlers and boats.  In fact only Stewart had an early bath, the youngsters coping extremely well. So well that we reached Dumbarton just after 21:00. The river was quite beautiful as can be seen from the following photos.

It was an excellent trip; well worth the hassle of the initial hour.

Paddlers: Allan, Tim & Geoff

Route:

Weather: Glorious. Breeze (f2/3) from SW

Report: A lovely relaxing paddle of around 24km. Lunch at Port Bawn and a pint in the pub on Inchmurrin.

Paddlers: Geoff, Hugh and Robert

Weather: Bright but windy; F3/4 from west veering south west

Route: 

Report: With forecast F4 winds after a week of wind , the open sea was rejected as an option. The islands of Loch Awe offer an alternative, extremely attractive and “historic” day trip.

Getting to the water is a challenge but we found a short steep track off the Inverary road down to an abandoned piece of the road where there was good parking and a relatively short but steep clamber down to the water. The beach was scattered with sharp boulders as is the whole loch.

We paddled the first stretch to Eilean a’Chomhraidh into a strong westerly. The island itself has several sandy beaches and a number of attractive camp sites. At the west end there is a ruined church and a graveyard where the last two Dukes of Argyll are buried. The whole island was covered in bluebells and a roe deer kept us company for a time. A visit is strongly recommended.

We then paddled on to the hotel at Ardanaiseig passing two crannogs en route. Crannogs (artificial islands which formed the base of prehistoric huts) are a feature of the loch with no less than 5 in the vicinity. Because one of our number had inadvertently left his lunch behind we decided not to stop and pushed on towards the island of Innis Chonain which is joined to the mainland by a short bridge. There are 3 or 4 private properties on the island. 

Landing on the shore at Lochawe village is difficult because of the railway. We eventually found a rough beach at the far end of the railway station  which provided access via the platform to the pub (closed) and the small shop. A pleasant lunch was had by all.

The next stage to Kilchurn Castle passed quickly with a strong breeze at our backs. The views up Glen Orchy were wonderful.

Kilchurn Castle is another “must see”. Situated at the end of a broadened causeway (KIlchurn was originally on an island ), it is a complete ruin but some inspired steps and platforms take the visitor right up the towers. Excellent information Boards provide a history of the castle and the devious dealings of the Clan Campbell. The views of and from the castle are superb.

The final few miles was hard work into a strong F3/4 wind. Perhaps it simply added a challenge to make for a thoroughly satisfying day.

Paddlers: Geoff, Hugh and David

Location:

 

 

Weather: The dominating feature of the trip was the wind. The forecast was F3/4 with occasional drop to F2 and some gusts at F5. In reality it was a notch up at F4/5 which made the idea of a paddle of 5 miles into it extremely unattractive. On the Friday the wind was forecast to rise after lunch with persistent rain and so it transpired.

Report: It is a long way to the North West of Scotland. Despite a prompt start at 08:30 from Garelochead we did not arrive at the Handa Island ferry point until 3pm. The residue of an Atlantic storm plus strongish winds and a counter tide suggested that our original plan of a short paddle across the Sound was not sensible. Instead we crossed to Loch Laxford for pleasant afternoon/evening trip heading into a strongish easterly breeze.

After a fairly lengthy search of the upper loch we selected a camp site, got a camp fire going and had a meal. It was a beautiful evening but with a clear sky and with a bitter east wind, temperatures dropped quickly.

 

A freezing night was followed by a wonderful day.

The trip back across Loch Laxford was not comfortable. The strong cold easterly wind (F5) was at our back, the boats were less than stable and hands quickly became very cold. At this stage it was clear that Handa was not possible so we headed south for what we thought would be the sheltered GlenCoul which has Britain’s highest(and most inaccessible) waterfall at its far end. However this loch was covered in white horses and a 4.5 mile slog into the wind was not desired.  With paddling off on what was otherwise a glorious day we decided to return up North to visit what has been called Britain’s most beautiful beach at Sandwood Bay. Click here for further information. The 4.5 mile path to the bay is extremely good and the beach is indeed breathtaking.

 

Back at the car we headed south again looking for either a moderated wind for a paddle up GlenCoul or at least a camp site close by. We got neither and after a drive along one of the most difficult roads in the UK we found  lovely site at the top end of Loch Nedd. This had everything, including shelter from the endless wind, flat ground and firewood.

 

The morning was overcast but less windy. However with the forecast change at lunch we decided on a trip up Loch Nedd and along to Oldany Island. This proved to be an excellent choice with interesting cliff scenery, many wild seabirds, seals and a lovely beach on the island.

Whilst on the island the weather became noticeably worse with a few drops of rain, so we quickly headed back up Loch Nedd to the car for the long, long journey home.

With none of the original targets achieved the question is “was it worth the travel up there?” The answer is undoubtedly yes. The scenery is fantastic and the paddles and walks we did excellent. Overall a wonderful trip

Kayakers: Geoff, Tim and Robert

Weather: Calm with hazy sunshine at times. Cold

Report: All previous “Thursday” meets had been cancelled due to the weather and we hope numbers will start to climb as it becomes part of the established pattern of events. Finnart was a new destination for Tim and Robert and, as ever, the landscape was sublime.

The paddle started and ended by a huge tanker tied up at Finnart. The Ashna is owned by an Indian Oil Company called Essar, and has a Gross Tonnage (crudely how much it weighs) of 156,417 and a Deadweight Tonnage (how much it carries) of 301,000 tonnes. By comparison the biggest cruise liner in the world has a GT of 225,282 tonnes but a DT of only 19,700.

From Finnart we crossed to Mark and after a quick inspection , that confirmed everything at the Bothy was in excellent condition, we pushed on to Carrick Castle for lunch.

A leisurely lunch was followed by a paddle along the south shore to the point where we crossed Loch Long. A pleasant paddle, with a light breeze behind us, brought us past Portincaple back to Finnart by around 2pm. Total distance was just over 12km in just over 3 hours paddling time. A lovely relaxing day.