After paddling round the Loch Lomond islands something new comes as a bit of a surprise. This note relates to an island we never normally land on as we head for either Balmaha or Inchcailloch and its picnic benches and toilets but visited on a solo trip last Wednesday. Inchfad proved to be an interesting place. First along with Inchmurrin and Inchtavannach it is permanently populated. Inchcailloch and Inchcruin only have occasional summer visitors.
Secondly it has at least four excellent houses for rent at substantial sums and an extremely well kept pier. Thirdly it has a well hidden canal/harbour with concrete walls of the order 3m tall and a slip.
This channel was apparently dug in the 1760’s to supply a distillery on the island,although there is nothing left now.
A herd of fallow deer can be found on the grassland that runs along the centre of the island and the pond is a haven for geese. Inchfad is worth visiting.
A somewhat damp day on the River Awe, not that we noticed!
We put in just below the Pass of Brander Barrage on the A85 and shuttled the cars to Taynault Pier at the end of the B845.
Steve led us down and we spent time practicing ferry gliding below the damn before entering the “Graveyard”!
En route we practiced breaking in and out of eddies, eddie hopping and trying to catch standing waves.
Gordon and Steve both managed to take involuntary swims but managed to roll back up (the water was lovely). Jamie practiced popping his spraydeck and John declined to test the water.
We all survived “Magnetic Rock”, the trickiest bit of the river. It was so good we got out and did it again.
Tremendous fun and a big thanks to Steve for leading us and to John for all his tips.
Paddlers: Tom, Mollie, Euan, Geoff, Colin, Gordon, Kerry, John, Sheila, Adam,Holly, Allan
Weather: Low Cloud but no wind. Occasionally damp.
Report: The midges hastened the rapid departure from Finnart on an overcast and almost windless evening. This was the last of the Young Beginners training paddles but sadly only 2 of the 5 on the course made it. A leisurely paddle over to Mark, a quick inspection of the bothy (everything OK) and then a paddle up to the mouth of Loch Goil. Three seals joined the cruise. Another leisurely paddle back to Finnart completing an attractive and relaxing evening.
Report: The trip was rescheduled to fit with the weather forecast, a decision wonderfully rewarded. The location was almost random; we were heading for Loch Eck but Loch Fyne looked good and we were passing easy launching and parking. Memories of a grey and boring trip were ditched; Upper Loch Fyne is worth canoeing.
Our launch site was St Catherines where there is a jetty , unloading straight on to the beach and parking. From there we headed north east towards the top of the Loch, our target being the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. Being unprepared we had no idea of the distance. The paddle was beautiful
Our first stop was on the beach in front of Ardkinglas House.
The house was built for the Noble family in 1907 and is regarded as a masterpiece of Edwardian architecture. The gardens are open daily and tours of the house are available on Fridays ( see http://www.ardkinglas.com/).
After an early lunch and some sunbathing we pushed on up the loch past a new style fish farm to the head of the loch. The farm is now a bio-secure land based operation; the lice ridden open cages are no more. At the head of the loch we decided a slog over the beach to the oyster bar was not worth it and turned east down the Argyll shore.
This is a classic small castle beautifully maintained with a number of superb bronze figures and animals around it.
After our second lunch we headed for Inverary for our ice cream. By now the tide was well out but we found an excellent landing spot on a gravel bank at the head of the pier. Sadly the temporary fencing at the foot of the pier to prevent public entry also prevented exit, so we had to descend on to the beach and then climb a broken ladder to get into the village. The Orkney Ice Cream was delicious.
Inverary from St Catherines
The final leg back over the loch was stunning and we arrived back at St Catherine’s just before 4pm having taken some 5hrs 30mins to cover the 25km with 3 stops.
Report: The journey to Colintraive featured a lot of damp as we passed through cloud en route at the Rest. At Colintraive the normal old jetty was blocked off to build a new large ferry car park so we headed on towards the church, eventually parking on a lay-by adjacent to the beach. Although gloomy the scene still had beauty
After passing through the Burnt Islands we rounded the point and travelled along Bute’s unknown north west coast
Our first stop was at a small beach almost opposite Kames/Tignabruich
Lunch over we then headed for Kames hoping to see an ice-cream sign but sadly none were viewed so we headed north again. A short on-water break in the natural harbour and then west to the marked fort on the most northerly of the islands. When we arrived at the islet we were met by a cacophony of gull cries and the sight of large furry chicks scuttling across the rocks. With no “fort” apparent we decided to leave the birds in peace and headed for a beach on the mainland. On the beach were some model houses in concrete and the statue of a small boy.
Just off the beach was a small cottage with two large heads made of wire and some tiles; it slowly dawned that we had stumbled upon the Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park (http://www.scottishsculpturepark.com/about.php) . Some of the exhibits were wonderful, others such as a pile of rocks and timber in the middle of the lawn, were problematic. The argument on the nature of art was encapsulated on a debate about a blue and white hammock just on the shore.
From the park we headed on down through the narrows back to our start. Despite the weather it had been a beautiful, calm, relaxing paddle, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Weather: Grey, wet and windy but this session it was a strong F5 from the SW
Report: Originally planned as a Beginners trip to the Sugar Boat the conditions made that impossible, Instead three of us decided on some rough water training and a bit of surfing. In fact paddling was a lot easier than expected and the surf hardly generated a decent run. Despite this it was an enjoyable workout.
Paddlers: Melani, Amy, Mollie, Tom, Euan, Geoff, Gordon, Kerry
Weather: Grey, Wet, Windy from North East
Report: The original plan was to cross to the Sugar Boat but the strong offshore wind experienced as soon as we left the shelter of Craigendoran suggested that might be foolhardy with beginners. Instead we paddled across to Ardmore Point. The wind and distance proved a serious challenge but a good time was had by all
Report: Another late arranged paddle the main points of interest were the use of FlatEarth sails on Pete’s and Geoff’s kayaks in fairly breezy weather and the rather dodgy landing and re-entry at at our half way lunch stop just north of Cove Bay Sailing Club
Pete clear of the surf
Sue clears the surfSails up heading for Kilreggan Pier
Weather: Quite dull at first but brightening to a glorious afternoon. Wind southerly F3
Route:
Report: We parked at the car park on the green just before Cove itself. It is not very easy to get down and launch but easy parking and loading/unloading compensates. The basic objective was to explore Holy Loch more closely than possible from Helensburgh. When we started it was dull and the breeze from the south made the Loch Long crossing feel long. Tied up at Blairmore was a large catamaran picking up two coachloads of tourists. We carried on round Strone point and up the Loch looking for somewhere good to land. Sadly, like Loch Long north it is not the most wonderful coast for kayakers. We then turned and headed for the marina at Sandbank. This proved a good choice; 3 small Cal-Mac ferries were anchored up plus a large timber carrier was loading. The marina itself was not particularly attractive but has an excellent recommended coffee shop just above the main slip.
After a prolonged break in the warm sun we pushed on past Hunter’s Quay and Kirn, lunching on a beach just north of Dunoon centre.
Lunch Stop
Another prolonged sun bathe followed. We then paddled straight back across the Loch/Firth junction, marvelling at the beauty all around us and the absolute peace than can come with sea kayaking.
We got back around 4pm having covered around 20km in a leisurely 6 hours. Another wonderful day.
A bright evening with a little chop on the surface but no wind. A short paddle and then a game of canoe polo. What better way to train.
River Leven Paddlers: Euan, Geoff, Alan, Melani, Amy and Robbie
Unlike last year conditions could hardly have been worse with incessant rain, a cold wind against us and a relatively slow river. However it was a useful introduction to skills such as ferry glides and to reading the river. Congratulations to the Beginners, particularly to Amy, for making what can be a long trip within the two hours.
This channel was apparently dug in the 1760’s to supply a distillery on the island,although there is nothing left now.
