Category: News

Paddlers: Allan, Geoff, Colin, Pete; Susan and Alan

Weather: Cool, calm and grey

Route: Craigendoran-Helensburgh-Rosneath Point-Gourock- McInroy’s Point (Western Ferries Terminal)- Cove-Kilcreggan-Green Island-Craigendoran (c20km)

Report: Pete Baker initiated this paddle and the three of us joined him and two others (Susan and Alan) at the pier for the paddle.

We headed for Rosneath Point with a discernible, if light, north easterly pushing us along and causing both a light swell and the less experienced some uncertainty. At the Point we were met by a flotilla of seals which must have numbered about 20 or so.

A short stop was made at the Point to ballast Allan and Colins boats to improve stability. It worked. We then proceeded to Gourock Outdoor Pool before going along the shore looking for a suitable lunch stop. We eventually found an excellent beach just past the ferry terminal but beware of the wash from the Gourock to Dunoon high speed catamaran which generates a big if shortlived  wash. This, in turn, has a lot of fun with any boats just on the water’s edge.

After a leisurely lunch we crossed back to the north shore and paddled along past Kilcreggan pier for a tea break at Green Island (just round the point). This is now recommended as a stopping point with extensive flat sandy areas resulting from on-shore works. At this point we split with our group heading straight for Craigendoran whilst Pete’s went on up to Rosneath to investiagte curren scrapping at McGruers. A very succesful day.

Paddlers: Hugh, Vee, Adele and Geoff

Weather: Started grey then cleared and became brilliant, with a F3 SE breeze. Night clear and very cold with cloudless blue sky in morning. Clouded after noon with strongish SW breeze.

Route: 

Report; The glacial trench that forms Loch Etive starts in Glencoe reaching salt water at Glualachalain and then on for another 30km.  It contains some of the most impressive and beautiful scenery in Scotland and we were lucky in seeing it at its very best. Double click on any picture for full screen version.

The parking and launch point is just at the mouth of the River Awe, which provides a quick getaway on to the loch.

As we paddled north the grey skies broke completely and a strong breeze from the south developed. The views up the loch to Ben Starav and further to Bidean, Buchaille Etive Mor and Buchaille Etive Beag were sensational.

We paddled up the east shore, stopping for lunch at Glen Noe, before crossing the loch for the beach at Barrs. The breeze was, by now, strong enough to allow a little surfing.

Barrs Bothy lies about 500m up a steepish climb on a terrible path. It is a “private”, single roomed bothy now being maintained by the Borders Bothy association after some years in the care of Argyll Scouts, and is both well hidden and very difficult to get to. Water is problematic and has to be carried up from the river.

After landing we carried our gear up, fully intending to return to the kayaks and carry on up the loch. Such plans did not envisage coffee and cake in a sun-drenched, wind free location. Coupled with the thought of battling against the wind to get back if we went further up the loch, we stayed.

As the afternoon progressed all clouds disappeared and the wind dropped. Thanks to excellent work on the saw and axe by Hugh, a splendid fire kept us warm with sub-zero temperatures outside. In the morning, after sunshine for a couple of hours, the boats in the shade were still covered with ice.  Meals were cooked, beer, wine and whisky drunk, and the evening slipped away.

The morning was brilliant.

 

After clearing up we retraced our steps down the hill through the soft ground.

The return paddle was kayaking at its best; sensational scenery and placid water.

The Mountain Bothies Association maintain an “open” bothy a few kilometers south of Barrs. On investigation this appear to be an excellent 3 room alternative.

By now cloud had started to gather and a strong breeze from the South east  (straight at us) was developing. As a result the next few km to Bonawe were quite challenging. We decided to go through the narrows before stopping for lunch. We had originally contemplated going on westward to Ardchattan but by now it was totally grey and getting cold with the strengthening wind so we decided to call it a day and paddled back the Taynuilt side to land on the sand just to the north of the stone pier. Thus ended a wonderful weekend,

Paddlers: Tim, Allan, David, Geoff, Damien, Hilary, Mark, Lee

Weather: Dry and Grey. Completely still.

Route: Craigendoran, Ardmore, Newark Castle; Sugar Boat Craigendoran

Report: The trip was originally intended primarily as a little bit of exercise for a couple of regulars with no planned route or target. In fact the trip proved memorable in a lot of positive ways with only one of the group having previously visited Newark Castle and for most it was a first visit to the sugar boat.

We set off around 10.15 and set a fast pace across to Ardmore. From there we headed across the Clyde towards the Ferguson shipyard at the east end of Port Glasgow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_Shipbuilders). Here, the consequences of “not planning” were illustrated fully as at the deep water channel we had to battle against the peak tidal flow which runs at between 2 and 2.5knots. With boats only making a maximum of 4 knots , it was a tiring 20 minutes.

Newark Castle lies directly adjacent to the shipyard. Built in 1478, the castle is well worth a visit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark_Castle,_Port_Glasgow)  Sadly it was closed until April!

After a half hour break for food and drink it was back on the water heading for the sugar boat. The Clyde between Cardross and Port Glasgow is one huge complex of sandbanks at low tide. The direct route led straight through these but apparently there was a channel which we believed would be negotiable in kayaks.

Sadly we were wrong and for around 200 yards we were walking in between 3 and 9 inches of water in the middle of the Clyde.

The sand was surprisingly firm and all negotiated them with ease, before settling down for the paddle to the sugar boat.

A short good article on the SS Captayannis can be found at http://www.clydesite.co.uk/articles/captayannis.asp.

Nobody could be persuaded to climb up on to the boat so after the customary circuit we set off back to Craigendoran, arriving just after 1.30pm. An excellent, interesting and enjoyable paddle of around 17km.

Double click on photos to view full screen. Especially recommended for two photos; “North beach, Inchmurrin” and “Inchmurrin, Creinch, Torrisnch and Clouds”

Paddlers: Geoff, Lee, Tim and John R.

Weather: Brilliant. Bright sun all day.

Route:

Report: South Loch Lomond is a familiar patch of water for training so this trip we aimed to do something different by looking and photographing the castles and mansions of the area. As will be obvious from the following, the incredible natural beauty of the Loch still completely dominated the trip.

Left about 10.30, leisurely paddle with prolonged coffee and lunch stops, 20km and back by 4. A wonderful day.

Paddlers: Neil, Grant, Moose(?) [Leaders], Adele, Stewart, Mark, Vee, Boo, Geoff, Brian, Steven

Weather: Fine, bright, Mostly sunny

Route: River Teith; Callendar to exit point on left bank 800m past the Torrie Rapid

Report: After normal delays involving car transfers we finally got on the river  at the Callendar Car Park at about 11.15.

We then paddled the canoes up to the junction of the Leny and the Teith for some introductory instruction on Ferry Gliding and to get used to canoes and particularly tandem canoeing. From there we headed down river through increasingly difficult water with various much appreciated stops for instruction and coaching.

 

The importance of using eddies became increasingly obvious.  Afetr an excellent lunch we then headed further down through various Grade 1 rapids until we reached the crux; the Grade 2 Torrie Rapid. All decided to run the rapid and all did succesfully.

We arrived at our exit point around 3.30pm. To get to the cars we had a short steep climb up from the river to the road and then a crossing of the A84 to the lay-by, probably the most dangerous activity of the day. The usual delays in changing, tying on and collecting cars resluted in a 5pm arrival in Helensburgh.

All in all an excellent day, with many thanks to Neil for arranging it and Grant and Moose for coaching. Our thanks to Grant for illustrating that not only novices go swimming. Trip much appreciated. Still have a way to go though, albeit not so far, to convince me to use a canoe rather than a kayak.

Paddlers: David, Damien, Geoff, Charlotte, John R

Weather: Dry, bright in morning. Got greyer and colder with a noticeable breeze from SW
in afternoon.

Route: 

Report: Charlotte had gained permission to launch at the slip at the Cove Sailing Club but thiswas slippier than ice and so we had a difficult clamber to get to/from beach. The traditonal launch point at the public car park is actually easier. From Cove (at around 1030) we paddled across to Blairmore Pier. The NW breeze made for some difficulties in the paddling for the least experienced.

We then headed north against wind and tide. It is not the most interesting or impressive scenery; the only item worth noting is that the Ardentinny Hotel is currently being rebuilt and presumably will re-open in the near future. However good conversation helped pass the time

We stopped at the beach at Ardentinny where there were picnic tables and toilets above the best sand beach in the area. It did not take long for the cold to become obvious.

From Ardentinny we headed across the Loch to Coulport then south against a strongish tide and stiffish cold breeze, which had swung round 120 degrees. The breeze generated a small chop. Not hard but toughish for the inexperienced. Probably the most interesting feature of the trip were the large, unique Victorian houses/mansions found on both sides of Loch Long. Arrived back around 3.30.

 

 

In some ways a disappointing trip, with the promise of sun not fulfilled. Crossing Loch Long is a good evening trip but other destinations (e.g Holy Loch or Dunoon) offer more for a day trip.

Paddlers: Dave, Tim, Geoff

Weather: Wonderful. Sunny for 99% and very little breeze.

Route: 

Report: The forecast was excellent so we hastily arranged a local trip. Although the club has doe this trip many, many times it is still an absolute pleasure with dramatic scenery and the forlorn village of Carrick Castle. We left from the normal place at the car park at about 10.15. Access to the beach is notably more difficult after the storms. The views north and south were breathtaking with a topping of snow to really impress.

The paddle was going so well we decided to head further up Loch Goil to a beach by Cormorochan, a collection of smart holiday homes. On the point a community of about 12 grey seals came to visit.

The return journey was equally outstanding scenically. A short break to visit and report on the MBA bothy at Mark was aborted, as the very high tide made the landing difficult. This same diffiuclty was experienced when landing at the car park.  Gel coat filler is definitely on the shopping list. We got back around 2.45 after a truly excellent day out.

 

Paddlers: Geoff, Pete, Rosie and Tim (castlecraigs)

Route: Tarbet-Pulpit Rock;Island-I-Vow; Inversnaid; Tarbet

Weather: Bright and Sunny hazing over in the afternoon. Light breeze but cold.

Report: After weeks of rain and storms this was THE DAY when it all stopped and the sun came out. For just one day there was an opportunity to run a postponed SSKEG (Scottish Sea Kayak Electronic Group) to the north of the loch. It was a wonderful day.

Paddlers: Stewart, Adele, Vee, Boo, Geoff, Robin, Chris (Lomond) and Colin

Weather: Cold and Grey. Little wind.

Report: At last the weather relented and a dry, wind free morning was promised. The cold however, was an ever present making gloves essential and even then still freezing fingers and toes. A gentle paddle from Luss took us over to  Inchvannach where an attempt to fix Boo’s right footrest was made.

From there some of us pushed on to Inchmoan and the big sand beach.

However, given the possibility of significant wind, others decided that a trip round Inchconnachan was a better plan. As a result the lead group was summoned back from Inchmoan and we all eventually met up on a beach on Inchconnachan for a hot drink and mince pie.

 

During the break the forecast strong wind got up briefly and then completely disappeared, leaving and almost windless return trip via the narows.

For unknown reasons (or alternatively because of the great company) the final paddle along the shore was extremely enjoyable. Overall, allowing for the pain in the toes, it was a really good trip.