Helensburgh CC

Paddlers: Allan, Geoff

Weather: Grey. Light but cold breeze from SW

Route

Report: The Lake of Menteith is an unusual destination; too small for a day paddle, too far away for a half day or evening paddle, poor launch points and a fishing club that still resents paddlers. Why bother then? The simple answer is that the islands are lovely and contain both a ruined castle and a beautiful , ruined Augustian Priory. The Lake is well worth a visit.

We set off from Helensburgh at 9am and were on the water at 10.10. The obvious launching place is at the large Fishing centre but the “Private” signage was not encouraging. The Car Park for the summer ferry was closed as was the road past the car park (for repairs). We retreated to the Hotel and having asked permission to park, launched at the rear of the small pier. With a large party this is probably not an option.

From the hotel we followed the edge of the loch in a lovely quiet environment. The loch is at the edge of the Trossachs and was  attractive but not dramatic.

Turning at Dog Island we headed back towards Inch Talla and the ruined castle of the Earls of Menteith. Larger than InchGalbraith on Loch Lomond and much more impressive than the castle on Loch Ard it would still not be worth a special trip.

The Priory on the next island, Inchmahome, is worth a visit. Built in 1240 the ruins include one of the few complete “chapter” houses in the UK. Mary Queen of Scots was brought here as a 4 year old on her return from France  to take up the crown.

There are short walks, picnic tables and, in summer, toilets and a fee for landing. We arrived about 11.30 and after a good look at the ruins and a very early lunch, left about 12.15.

The paddle back to the hotel was helped by a significant breeze, apparently characteristic of the loch,  and we arrived at our launch point at around 12.45, a very short but very worthwhile day.

Finally on arrival we were approached by a polite young man who suggested we should have asked permission from the Fishery, who held the “Rights to the Loch”. Allan tactfully diverted my attempt to engage on the subject of Access Rights but, unless you wish to park and launch from the Fisheries beach my view is that to ask permission, even if it is automatically granted as he stated, would suggest that they do have a right to prevent access as opposed to a requirement to assist responsible access. As paddlers we need to ensure that the battles won are not lost by oversight.

 

Paddlers: Geoff, Lee, Damien, Colin, Colin’s Mate, Sheila, Gordon, David

Weather: Beautiful, Bright sun, no wind. Cold in shade.

Route: 

Report: A wonderful day in what is possibly the most beautiful place in the world. Timings: Dep 10:20 Arr Balmaha 11:40. Dep: 12.30 Arr Inchcailloch Camp Site c 13:00 dep 13:20

Deer seen on Inchmoan c 14:00, Arr Aldlochlay 14.30.  16-17km in 2hr 40mins. Now the photos:

 

 

Paddlers: David, Colin, John, Chris and Geoff (with Vonna in attendance at Carrick)

Weather: Mostly overcast but some breaks. Relatively mild for December. Light Breeze with very occasional strong gusts.

Route:

Report: The trip was set up for the forecast break in the grey, wet and windy weather. The five of us assembled at Finnart at the usual entry point at 10am. This launch point has degenerated over the years and the jetty some 800m further north is preferable. The crossing to Mark and the paddle south and west to Carrick Castle was uneventful except for a strong squall at the lighthouse. At Carrick a large timber carrier, the Red Princess, was loading. The RED PRINCESS  is a passenger/landing craft and is currently sailing under the flag of St Kitts & Nevis. RED PRINCESS has 63m length overall and beam of 14m. Her gross tonnage is 498 tons. Built in 1970 as F/B Aspasia, a Greek passenger/cargo ro/ro, she was converted in an Athens shipyard to a timber carrier specifically for use in Scotland.

On the beach at Carrick we were met by Vonna and her lovely collie dog. The offer of tea/coffee and a homemade mince pie was gratefully accepted.

As we finished an enjoyable and prolonged break there was slight panic as Colin’s boat decided to float off on the incoming tide. It was easily rescued however and we set off up the loch with litle defined objective, other than to get back before dark. The seals that often inhabit the point north of Cormonachan were absent so we crossed over to the cottage at Stuckbeg. This very attractive cottage/house, like Corran, is only really accessible by boat. At Stuckbeg we found the seals who surrounded the boats quite warily.

From Stuckbeg we headed back up Loch Goil and then Loch Long to visit the MBA bothy at Mark where Colin was delivering reading matter. In the bothy were 4 gents from the central belt gathered round a roaring fire with a few cans of beer. There was a slight interlude whilst Geoff explained and fitted a mantle on a new gas lantern for them.

From Mark it was back to Finnart arriving in the gathering gloom arriving about 15.15 having covered some 16-18km.

Overall the paddle was attractive and relaxing with the highlight being the mince pies at Carrick Castle.

 

Paddlers: Innes, Geoff

Weather: Calm but overcast and foggy. Cold

Route:

Report: The near completion of the third crossing inspired a voyage of discovery on the Forth. The weather was forecast to be calm and sunny all day but the early fog consolidated into a complete grey blanket. Our departure point in North Queensferry had been chosen on a previous aborted trip for protection and to minimise the ooze walking. In reality the launch point was still a good walk from the car and the “beach” was slimy mud. Not recommended; the slip at South Queensferry would be better. However the location is otherwise good being tucked underneath the vastness of the rail bridge in the old village.

The first of the many islands visited, Inch Garvie, is just under the bridge. It is covered with WW2 defences as are all the islands, the broken concrete not offering many attractions compared to the vast metal structure that looms over it

Compared to the Clyde the Forth is a busy river with a regular container service and oil and gas carriers. With fog drifting around throughout the morning there was always a worry that it might descend whilst we paddled across the shipping lanes. We carried VHF radios!

Our major target was the Inchholm and its Abbey. This is a lovely place to visit, thoroughly recommended, with two sand/gravel beaches to land on, and interesting ruins of both the thirteenth century Abbey but also the twentieth century WW2 fort. Picnic tables are provided for the occasional sea kayaker. We were the only people on the island.

On the north side of Incholm can be found Gnome Island. This little detached outcrop at the entrance of the north bay was covered with Garden Gnomes of every sort, size and description.

The very short day led to us abandoning a possible second target of Cramond Island in favour of a closer look at the bridges. There were a lot of seals around and on rather large male (how does one know?) decided to closely accompany us most of the way back.  At one stage he was right alongside the kayak. As I went to take a photo he dived with his tail soaking me in water.

The evening gloom was strangely attractive as this photo looking back towards Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat shows

The three Forth bridges represent three stages in the history of civil engineering: the 19th century rail bridge with its thousands on tons of wrought iron;the 20th elegant century road bridge supported by huge cable and now the longer 21st century road bridge with its mass of fine cables is nearing completion.

By 3.40 the light was failing and we were back at the cars for the long drive (1.5 hours) back to Helensburgh. What the trip lacked in terms of sun and beautiful scenery was more than compensated for by the interest and the lovely Abbey.

Luss

The original trip on the 5th was on the Forth but gale force winds in the East forced re-consideration. The west looked better (sun all day) but forecast very windy F4 plus with F7 gusts. So we (Dave & Geoff)  tried it and found, at Luss, a more general F5 gusting F7 plus. Tried to go north but were beaten back at the headland so decided to keep inshore to the south. Quite pleasant with wind behind and kept tight in to bay at Camstradden House. The dolphin tree/wood sculpture is worth recording.

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The return was less easy and more interesting. The Loch was very shallow with breaking white water at every point near the shore. The wind gusts made anything but directly into it very precarious as Dave found when he was turned by the wind and unceremoniously tipped in. Lunch was followed by a short walk to the river entrance and a pleasant paddle up and down the river. Unfortunately the exit was too shallow to paddle. So out of the boat and a new launch into the wind and water. Eventually we go back to the beach having covered about 3km in nearly 3 hours. An educational trip!

Loch Lomond

It had snowed on Tuesday evening and Wednesday and the mid week regulars were unavailable for the proposed Loch Awe or Loch Ard trips. However the weather on the Thursday was lovely if cold and the solo trip did generate some lovely photos which are presented here.

Clyde

Saturday 12th was billed as a Beginners Trip. Initially the weather was forecast as too windy and the beginners quite reasonably looked for alternative occupations. By the time it was realised that it was going to be possible only the leaders, Euan, Geoff and Allan were available. Geoff decided to try sailing but even with the breeze he was slower than the paddlers!

It was a really pleasant paddle from Craigndoran to Clynder and back followed along Helensburgh prom by an inquisitive seal.

Critical information is the coffee shop in Clynder has closed for good.

 

 

 

Paddlers: David, Matt, Damien, Colin, Innes and Geoff

Route: 

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Weather: Hazy Sun. Calm

Report: Late interest and evening commitments led to a postponement of the Oban-Lismore paddle and the substitution of a clockwise Clyde route (the last identical circuit being anti-clockwise). This is thoroughly recommended as a strategy; it is really surprising how different the landscape looks.  The starting point was the beach just to the east of Kilcreggan by the gate posts on Fort Road. Whilst getting ready we met the factor of the estate that had flattened off the beach for easy launching. He was very encouraging and discussed plans for establishing the site for wind surfing dinghy sailing, paddle boards etc. We were naturally supportive.

The paddle across to Gourock was uneventful apart from the pod of 3 or 4 porpoises midway between Kilcreggan and Gourock. We then paddled along Gourock promenade, past the Royal Gourock Yacht Club and McInroys Point ferry terminal to the lighthouse at Cloch Point. Everybody was feeling good so we then struck across the Clyde again to the lighthouse at the Gantock Rocks.  These are just south of Dunoon Pier and were famously where the Waverley ran aground in 1977.

The short hop to the south beach of Dunoon concluded the first leg of the trip .

The beach cafe is recommended for the coffee and scones (as is the cafe at Kilcreggan). After a half hour lunch break we set off again north along the Dunoon promenade to Sandbanks and the ferry terminal at Hunters Quay where we crossed the mouth of the Holy Loch. It is worth noting that an intelligent teenager has no knowledge of the old US Base.

THe second stop was just short of the pier at Blairmore. The main reason was to establish if there was any ferry service from the pier but it is worth noting that there is a small pleasant cafe by the pier which sells ice cream!  For the record during the summer season the Waverley calls on a Tuesday and there is a boat from Greenock on a Wednesday.

The final leg took us across the mouth of Loch Long and along the promenade from Cove to Kilcreggan. particularly  interesting was Craigownie Castle in Cove, a massive structure that is normally not seen by the public.

We arrived back at the beach just before 15:30 having started at around 9:30. We covered around 20km at a leisurely, non taxing pace, in just under 5 hours of paddling. It was a lovely relaxing day.