Participants: Steve Wheaton, Gordon Smith, Stuart McCartney, Martin Tidestrom
F4 from south
Another year nearly away so fast and the last club paddle this season. No storm alert this year just a yellow heavy rain warning for Argyle & Bute!
As usual once in our boats and paddling it all felt worthwhile. Hugging the western shore we headed south to Tarbet and a lunch stop in the little pavilion by the café.Gordon supplied the mince pies.
One & half hours down but with the wind in our favour, one hour back. A little bit of surfing was possible, with Martin’s new Tiderace much quicker on the waves than the other three more traditional boats.
Thank goodness this was in the calendar as left to our own devices it would have been a day to have spent indoors and yet, having made the effort so good to have been out on the loch.
Participants Steve Wheaton, Geoff Riddington, Edward Homson.
Wind SW F4 with strong gusts, 11Km
A dreich day saved by having a lovely venue with shelter from the wind when needed before putting us in position for the run back with a following wind .
Set out from Luss and headed south via a brief look in the river to Rossdhu Castle, then north east via Inchgalbraith and a second castle to a lunch stop on Inchtavannach. Lunch over and rain starting again we passed through the Straits and returned to luss.
Arduaine, Puilladobhrain, Sound of Luing, Arduaine
September 27th & 28th 2025
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Gordon Smith, Edward Homson
Saturday 27th, F4 & Strong Gusts from SSE, 14Km
Arduaine to Puilladobhrain
Atrocious windy & wet weather, not surprising only three of us out today. With the wind running with us, very rapid progress was made across the mouth of Loch Melford and Seil Sound. Through the rain we spotted seals, a dolphin and a sea eagle. Arrived at Clachan Bridge near low water (neaps) and decided to give it a try with the fall back that we would return to the pub if unnavigable. We got through with a few inches to spare. Made camp at the head of the bay and not even bothering to change, headed along the path to the pub. Blazing fire, the 2nd half of the Ladies Rugby World Cup final and a couple of drinks. Tempting as it was to make an evening of it we returned to camp where, confined by weather to our tents, made supper and retired.
Sunday 28th, F1-2 from S, 30km
Puilladobhrain to Arduaine via Sound of Luing
Bright,sunny and not a midge anywhere. Breakfasted and paddling just after 0900. Near HW so out through a gap below Eilean Buidhe into the Firth of Lorn where we were straight away surrounded by pods of Dolphins busy feeding. They stayed with us to Easdale where we stopped for coffee. With the options of returning through Cuan Sound or taking the longer route south through the Sound of Luing, the great weather and a couple of hours of favourable tide saw us heading south. The dolphins were still with us and numbers appeared to increase. Of all trips not to have brought cameras! Luckily, we had our phones.
Stopped for lunch at the bottom of Luing and caught the north going tide back up to Arduaine.
The original plan for this year was to continue from last year’s finish at Brough round Duncansby Head and down the coast. Neap tides and what latterly turned out to be good for the start of the trip did not look so good for heading further south. As with some other sections already completed we reversed the direction starting at Nairn and heading north.
Drive up from Helensburgh with stops at Perth & Newtonmore.
Friday 20th Nairn to Rosemarkie S, F3, 20km
Launched on beach just to the west of River Nairn. Hugged coast round to Fort George staying clear of dredgers working off Whiteness Head. Lunch on beach and brief exploration of Fort George’s outer walls including the hound cemetery. Crossed Moray Firth to Rosemarkie finding a wild camp in the dunes and beach north of town.
Saturday 21st Rosemarkie to Balintore S, F3, 25km
Run up coast by Sutors Stacks, crossing Cromarty Firth for lunch on beach east of Nigg Ferry. Continued north looking for suitable camping but not finding anything until Balintore village where we were generously accommodated by a small Caravan & Camping Club site. The owner having been a professional salmon fisher gave us lots of recommendations along the Firth coast in case we needed refuge, which the forecast predicted we might. Just missed dinner at the local pub by 10 mins.
Fast run up the coast to Rockfield for a lunch stop. Continued in the afternoon to Tarbet Ness abandoning the original plan of Portmahomack due to strengthening SW winds and forecast that winds too strong for paddling tomorrow. Lovely camp in field just to south of Wilkhaven Pier. Tried contacting owner but told by his retired shepherdess that the family were away and that overnighting for kayakers would not be a problem.
Walked back along coast to Ballone Castle, then over to Portmahomack this time just managing to find a dinner at the golf club.
Monday 23rd Tarbet Ness W, F6
Whitetops everywhere vindicating plan for a day on shore. Walked up to the Robert Stevenson lighthouse and continued along coast path to Portmahomack. Inspected large whale skull bones just off the beach. Topped up provisions from the local shop followed by a super late lunch at the Carnegie Hall Coffee Shop. Back to camp site via road and lane.
Tuesday 24th Tarbet Ness to Brora SW, 2/3, 42km
Early start, with most of us needing a couple of hours from wake up at 05:00 to paddling at 07:00, thankfully no other early starts required on this trip. The strong winds dropped during the night and with them the sea settled and the sun came out. Stop at Portmahomack then long paddle around bay stopping at Loch Fleet entrance for lunch. Carried on in the afternoon with the following wind past Golspie and a camp in the dunes 2km north of Brora. The tide was fully out so a long carry of boats and equipment to get above HW. A speculative hope of using the official campsite proved unworkable as only two spaces left plus another carry across a golf course to reach it. A long day but great progress made and with it the possibility of getting to Wick by the end of the week.
Wednesday 25th Brora to Berridale S, F2/3, 29km
Another long walk to get the boats launched. A fair wind and slight sea soon saw us to Helmsdale. Along the way we kept seeing a walker following the shoreline, sometimes ahead of us other times trailing. A lunch stop in town at a café where we met up with the walker who it turns out to be walking the John O Groats Trail (Inverness to JOG) but in his case he had started at Lands End 3 months earlier. The afternoon was spent working our way up to Berridale where a great camp was found nearby some old fishing cottages. Another JOG trail walker also came to camp nearby. Explored the river area crossing the two-person suspension bridge.
Thursday 26th Berridale to The Haven near Sarclet. W then SW, F4, 37km
Passed by An Dun natural arch and great photo of Stuart taken by Gordon (bound to feature in the next photo competition). The rock strata here like that west of Thurso runs at an incline to the horizontal giving an illusion of paddling down or uphill
Stopped for break at Dunbeath and continued onto Lybster for lunch at cafe in front of the harbour.
We had expected a stop at Whaligoe Steps but could see nothing suitable (the clue was in the name!) Pressed onto The Haven which fortunately had room for four tents. Only able to get a weather update from the hill above the bay which indicated a solid F4 from the S.
Friday 27th The Haven to Wick. W, F4, 11km
Decided that we could split into two groups for the day, Steve & Paddy on an early shift to get Paddy on the way S to collect the vehicle from Nairn and Gordon and Stuart getting a more leisurely start and as it turned out a much less bumpy passage. Tide low at Wick so a bit of wading and towing required to get our boats up to the campsite on Wick River. A superb campsite well worth the haul up the river.
With Paddy back from Nairn we headed into town for a couple of beers and a curry, suitably finishing off a great week.
Saturday 28th Wick to Helensburgh
Headed south with stops for breakfast in Brora and lunch at Newtonmore.
A little dubious that the east coast would not offer the spectacular coastline of the west and the north, we were not disappointed – it’s a magical place and well worth return visits.
Although we did not manage the Merry Men of May and Duncansby Head reversing our original plan allowed us to get a full week of paddling, mostly with the wind in our favour. We are all looking forward to returning to the far northeast to complete the corner.
Helensburgh to Helensburgh via Lochs Long & Lomond, Leven & Clyde
June 6th – 8th, 2025
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Rem Fowler, Gotz Bucher, Damien Theaker – complete trip Alice Hewson – Fri & Sun, Jim, Seb Lay, Stephen Hearns – Sun
Tidal estuary, a long loch, camping, portaging, inland loch, camping on an island, two rivers and another portage.
Friday 6th June, F3 from West, 33Km
Helensburgh to Guanan 29Km (4km North of Mark Bothy)
Steve & Damien walked boats down from homes (no car weekend for us). Met Rem & Alice and headed out around 1300. Bit of a push into a head wind off southern end of Kilcreggan peninsula but easier going when off the wind down loch Long. Gotz joined us at Cove, break on Ardentinney beach and onto campsite at Guanan. A sheltered eastern shore, damp and humid, no breeze, and yes we were not the only ones there. Alice who had experience of the site in the same conditions declared she was carrying on to her home at Succoth. Despite a good beach bon fire we all gave up after eating our suppers from under midge hats and were all in our beds for 21:30.
Saturday 7th June, F3-4 from North West
Guanan to Inchmurrin 30Km (including 3Km portage)
Breakfasted, suited up from within our tents we were quickly in our boats and enjoying a bug free paddle to the head of the loch. The portage over from Arrocher to Tarbet is a delight and taking about an hour thirty not much longer than a regular walk. Coffee and snacks at the Cruise Loch Lomond cafe then headed down Loch Lomond with a nice tail wind. A great camp site at the north end of Inchmurrin with sunhine, a breeze and no neighbours other than a small motorboat.
Sunday 8th June, F3 from West South West
Inchmurrin to Helensburgh 31Km.
0800 start to meet up again with Alice, plus Jim, Seb & Stephen H at the entrance to the River Leven. Portage around the Balloch Barrage then lovely run down the river in bright sunshine. A lunch stop on the edge of Leven Grove Park before heading down river with a following tide but head wind to Ardmore. Brief stop then off the wind to Helensburgh Pier for 1700.
Ice creams from Dino’s to fuel a one-mile portage up the hill home for a couple of us.
Steve W, Gordon, Norrie, Geoff, Stuart McC, Alice, Finn, Seb,
Sunday 27th April , F4 from south, 21Km
Not the greatest forecast with gusty winds from the south and an ebbing spring tide to start into. Eight of us set out from just north of the ferry car park and within the hour made it round to Gylen Castle for a look, always worth the visit. Quite choppy relaunching but everyone safely afloat. Ardmore Bay saw one of the team rolled and so very nearly self recovered, but quickly and efficiently rescued by Gordon & Stuart, the rest of the team standing by.
We took a lunch stop out of the chop and wind at Port Phadruig, just as the rain started and finished as we headed back out!
Lovely brisk run up the west coast and after rounding the top of the island back into the weather again down to Heather Island before getting some shelter off the mainland and returning to our start point.
Rain washed, a little tired but happily completed one of several island rounding’s planned for this year. Hoping for better weather on the next one.
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Gordon Smith, Gotz Butcher, Mags Elliott, Adrian Curtis, Damien Theaker, Seb Lay, Geoff Riddington, Mike Bignall, Andy Bignall, Colin Hosey.
Sunday 8th December F3 / 4 from north
Last club paddle of the year. With storm Darragh still blowing all around, a little swathe of relative tranquillity allowed us to get out on our local loch. Ben Lomond with an early covering of snow and the sun shining, what better venue for a couple of paddlers new to the club.
We had tentatively planned a circumnavigation of all the main islands but a longish lunch on Inchcailloch saw us forego the southern islands and take the more direct run back to Luss via the narrows.
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Gordon Smith, Stewart McCartney
The bothy was booked in January with the hope that the weather would be fair and that members with all abilities could attend. Instead, we had a yellow then amber Met Office Weather Warning and the first named storm of the year – Ashley.
Friday 18th F8 from south-east through day dropping F4 – 3 in evening
From the 10 members initially showing interest in the trip 3 of us travelled up in Gordon’s smart new electric car. After a short stop for food at Fort William and a boost for the car we arrived at Glenuig to see a flattish sea but with spray lifting offshore. As forecast, this subsided and we departed from inside Samalaman Island east along the coast to Roshven before heading north to Peanmeanach. A clearing western sky heralded a calmer day for tomorrow.
Peanmeanach Bothy has been taken back into management by the Ardnish Estate and is only available by prior booking. It is a popular place as testified by the website booking calendar and deservedly so. We enjoyed a pleasant evening warmed by the wood burning stove until the early hours.
Saturday 19th F3 from south-east
Relieved to see the forecast was accurate we decided to explore loch Ailort. Alerted to the prospect of seeing sea eagles by a couple scallop farmers off Eilean nan Trom one immediately came into view overhead quartering the hills. Slack water saw us easily passing through the narrows and on to Eilean Dubh near the head of the loch. After lunch taken on the south shore we headed back west against the tide which was only noticeable in the narrows. We stopped on Eilean nan Gobhar and climbed to the ruins of a fort for views all around.
Drizzle then rain, a portent of the coming gale saw us return to Samalaman Island.
We had planned a second night in the bothy but though the forecast showed a two-hour gap in Sunday’s gales those with day jobs on Monday wisely considered it too risky.
The electric car got us home in great style via a short re charge and fish and chips for us in Fort William.
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Stewart McCartney, Andy Bignall, Elspeth Mckechan
This trip was planned for last year on two weekends but thwarted on both by high winds. This year the winds were just ok but blowing from the NE as they had been for the previous week. Tides were at full springs and being the autumn equinox another 20% over average.
Sat Sept 21st NE F4 and mist
Originally we had planned to start from Coldingham beach. A local surfing competition was in full progress which was a good clue that despite being great for youngsters and derring-do feats our fully laden sea kayaks would be more easily launched from the nearby St. Abbs Harbour.
We used the car park at the harbour for two vehicles and a trailer (£20 per vehicle), finding a gap for the trailer behind a skip avoiding an extra charge.
An easy exit from the harbour, then around St. Abbs Head into quite a lumpy sea with a cross swell that had clearly developed over the previous week. Some respite after Pettico Wick but the swell required vigilance.
This section of coast has limited egress points, particularly in an onshore wind. Two stops were managed the first at Heather Carr and then at Hirst Rocks. Checked Pease Bay for camping spots but little scope seen and moved up to Cove Harbour. Just enough room for our tents on the beach. The harbour is privately owned having been purchased to avoid development. It is though very small and where would have ordinarily picked a remote wild camp, given the swell and surf it was most welcome. Cove Harbour Conservation Ltd. have responsibility for it’s upkeep and maintenance and we made a donation in reparation for our unannounced stay.
Sun Sept 22nd NE F3 cloudy
Still plenty of cross swell to contend with. Two of the party decided to shorten their trip just south of Torness at Thorntonloch. Three of us continued to White Sands stopping for lunch and a coffee from a local mobile café. The remainder of the trip has a less dramatic coastline though Old Dunbar from the sea is spectacular. We had planned to enter the harbour though in the event electing to make straight for Belhaven Beach and pick up our pals from Thorntonloch.
So good to have finally made it over to this part of the east with enough interesting coast seen but not fully explored due to conditions to hopefully make another trip over in better weather.
Participants: Steve Wheaton, Edward Homson, Paddy Muir, Seb Layburn, Stephen Hearns.
Sat 10th F4 from west south west
Met at Arduaine at 1400. Due to strong winds discussed options of; a. just go, b. waiting for wind to decrease as forecast later or C. drive round to Balvicar. Decided on option a. but route modified to get as much shelter from Shuna as possible before striking north. After a couple of short stops and heading north from Shuna plus a dropping wind we enjoyed a lovely paddle up the sound to Tigh an Truish. The pub was hosting its annual music festival which we signed up for and enjoyed burgers and music. Continued through the Clachan Sound to our camp at Puilladobhrain. Hoping to catch some more of the music festival we walked over the hill back to Tigh an Truish. By the time of our arrival the live band had finished and the evening given over to the DJ. Had a couple of very enjoyable pints and returned to camp in the dark.
Sunday 11th F1-2 from south west
The day emerged bright, sunny & cheerful, unlike I suspected, how a few of the party goers from last night would be feeling a few fields away at Tigh an Truish!
Seb made an heroic swim through the channel with Eilean Buidhe, and back into the bay to our west.
10:00 set off west then south-west down the east coast in perfect conditions. Met some other paddlers up from Ayrshire all of us grateful for this gap in the recent windy weather. Stopped at Easdale for a coffee and some refresher guidance for one of the group on paddling into and out of tidal streams. On down into the Cuan Sound and Kayakers Cove for some play in the stream and eddies.
Carried on down though the gap between Torsa and Luing before heading back to Arduain.
In just 24 hours; paddling in open water, narrow sounds and tidal streams, plus a music festival, and wild camp – marvellous.
