Five Castles and Four Mansions: A tour of south Loch Lomond 10/3/16

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:

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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.

Departure:Lomond Shores
Departure:Lomond Shores
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Castle 1: Balloch Castle (behind trees)
Heading North
Heading North
Boturich Castle. (FRom west shore as cannot be seen from east)
Boturich Castle. (From west shore as cannot be seen from east)
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Looking SW from base of Inchmurrin Castle
An advert for Lomo Dry Suits. Lookin N from Inchmurrin Castle
An advert for Lomo Dry Suits. Looking N from Inchmurrin Castle
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The beach at the north end of Inchmurrin
Castle 4: Inchgalbraith
Castle 4: Inchgalbraith
Rhossdhu House
Rhossdhu House
Lunch
Lunch by the golf course
Looking east from Loch Lomond Golf Course
Looking east from Loch Lomond Golf Course
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Inchmoan and Conic Hill
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Inchmoan, Inchvannach and Ben Lomond
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Inchmurrin, Creinch,Torrinch and tele-tubby clouds
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Arden House
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Lomond Castle
Auchendrennan House (Formerly Loch Lomond Youth Hostel)
Auchendrennan House (Formerly Loch Lomond Youth Hostel)
Cameron House
Cameron House

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

River Teith Canoeing: Sunday 6th March 2016

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

route

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

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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.

quiet stretch

 

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.

Brian and Bros

Stewart and Adele
Stewart and Adele
geoff and Boo
Geoff and Boo
Vee
Vee
Mark
Mark
Moose(?)
Moose(?)

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.

Loch Long South 3/3/16

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: 

loch long

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.

Blairmore Pier
Blairmore Pier

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

John Radford
John Radford from south looking north to snow capped hills
Charlotte on her SOT Elite going 50% faster than the rest (as usual)
Charlotte on her SOT Epic which seems to go 50% faster than the rest

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.

Ardentinny Beach
Ardentinny Beach

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.

Geoff at Ardpeaton (photo by Sheila from shore)
Geoff at Ardpeaton (photo by Sheila from shore)

collect

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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.

Finnart and Loch Goil 11/2/16

Paddlers: Dave, Tim, Geoff

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

Route: route feb2016

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.

Looking north from Finnart
Looking north from Finnart
Heading South
Heading South
Padling past Coran at the mouth of Loch Goil
Padling past Coran at the mouth of Loch Goil
Carrick Castle in the sun
Carrick Castle in the sun

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.

Lunch
Lunch
Looking up Loch to seals
Looking up Loch to seals
View from beach. Note inquisitive seals
View from beach. Note more inquisitive seals

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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.

 

North of the Loch, Wednesday 3rd Feb

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.

north loch feb 2016
Heading North
By the Pulpit Rock Viaduct
By the Pulpit Rock Viaduct

Winter on the Loch: Jan 9th 2016

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.

Repair duty on a floded Inchvannach
Repair duty on a flooded Inchvannach
Chris and Stewart try to warm fingers
Chris and Robin
Boo looking handsome
Boo looking handsome

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

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Heading for Inchmoan

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.

 

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An advert for Lomo Dry Suits!

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

The Return
The Return

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.

Clyde and Lessons: 26-11-15

Paddlers: Tim, Francis, Geoff and Allan (for a time)

Route : Craigendoran-Kilcreggan and not back

Weather: Cold, wet and windy

Report:

With a calm wind forecast this was intended to be a practice trip to gain experience. As it turned out this proved to be an experience for all the participants with some valuable lessons learnt without any real problems.

Despite the forecast the wind was actually F3/4 and the sea was quite lumpy, possibly partly the result of a high wind the previous night. After a short uncomfortable time on the water, Allan decided to go back to shore. For the remaining three the paddle round to Kilcreggan was problem free, the weather improved slightly and overall it was a pleasant morning.

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After coffee and cake at Kilcreggan we decided to cross to Gourock for lunch but 100m out we  hit the main channel and a brisk wind. Given the tide had just changed and we were going to experience an increase in the sea state due to “wind against tide” this was quickly revised to a paddle back close to shore. Running downwind is not comfortable for the less experienced and after about half a mile we experienced our first capsize. This was quickly dealt with by righting the boat, popping in the paddler and pumping out. It was then decided that the best action was to paddle swiftly on in order to warm up. Lesson 1: After a capsize check the boat as well as the paddler and if necessary get to shore to empty the boat completely. We believe a hatch cover was not on properly and during the capsize a quantity of water had got into the forward compartment. Coupled with the inevitable quantity in the cockpit left after the pump out, this caused increasing instability and led to a second capsize.

The method used for the second capsize was a Scoop i.e floating the paddler into the boat, righting it and pumping out. Lesson 2. The scoop should only be used in the unlikely event that a casualty is injured or unconscious because the capsized paddler is in the water longer and the boat can get waterlogged. With water entering the front compartment this is what happened and the only solution was a swim to shore towing the capsized boat.  Inevitably the paddler, without a wet or dry suit, got chilled. After a change into dry clothes (standard requirement) and some jogging about, the escape route identified in the risk assessment was implemented. This involved a phone call to get transport (in this case Allan was thankfully available) and a short paddle back into the wind (much more stable) to a beach just east of Kilcreggan with easy access for a car. By 3pm we were back in Helensburgh reminiscing on an eventful day.

 

 

The Crinan Canal, Saturday 21st November 2015

Paddlers: Hugh, Geoff, Tim, Sheila and John M

Weather: Bright with little wind. Getting misty and damp in afternoon.Cold

Route: Crinan to Ardrishaig!

crinan2

Report: Forecast strong winds and a desire to fill in the last bit of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail led to the choice of fresh water and the Crinan Canal. Within these limitations it is a lovely paddle but with restricted landscapes and little of paddling interest.

We put in at the swing bridge at Crinan Ferry where there is space for 3 parked cars.

hugh
Hugh, Geoff and John at the start looking across to Crinan Ferry and the Sea

The low pontoons provided by Scottish Canals are excellent and the paddle to the first of the loch flights at Dunardry calm and attractive.

crinan start
The Start
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The Tranquil Canal
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The first of the Dunardry Lochs, going Up.
john
John on the portage

There are two loch flights between Crinan and Ardrishaig; Dunardry with 5 going up and Cairbaan with 4 going down. There is about 1 km between the two and it is a toss up whether you walk or paddle it.  Portage Trolleys are essential and can be borrowed free of charge from the Canals Office in Ardrishaig. Contact them before you go as they are shut at weekends in winter, although the canals officer will come down to give them out. The two we borrowed were brand new.

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The Portage

One problem was that one wheel on a brand new Decathlon trolley completely disintegrated and the kayak had to be carried. We have since established that a wheel on another Decathlon Trolley is splitting and close to disintegration. It appears that unlike pneumatic tyres, the solid plastic sand wheels fitted cannot take the vibrations of a track or tow path.  Seriously Not Recommended.

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Getting Duller and Wetter at the bottom of the Cairnbaan Lochs
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Ardrishaig and Rain
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Tim in Ardrishaig

The path down from the pontoon to the Car Park is quite lengthy and again requires a trolley. We are very grateful to Tim and Sheila for moving all the boats down whilst we went back up to get the cars.

The timings were exactly as expected for the 9 miles. Allow 3 hours plus 1 hour for breaks and portage. A very pleasant trip; excellent for Beginners and as a tranquil interlude from “The Breakers that give one the shakers” on the wide open sea (as described in the classic song The Crinan for Me).

Loch Katrine, 4th November 2015

Paddlers: Tim, Lee and Geoff

Weather: Misty and Wet but no wind.

Route: From Stronachalar north west to the end of Loch Katrine at Glengyle. Return back to Royal Cottage and thence Stronachalar

Report: A very misty and damp day which was not warm. Despite low visibility (cloud base usually lower than 100m above loch and sometimes zero) the scenery had real charm and the company was excellent.

Access on to the loch is problematic here, as at the east end. It is possible down a stream close to the cafe but we went from a slip not normally open to the public, to the west. The LLTNP Access Committee needs to get on to the issue of access to this beautiful loch.

entry Map

The Gyle is a tranquil river up to the bridge but is blocked by wire soon after. Have they not heard of the Access Act? The Clan Gregor graveyard is of real interest having been raised each time the loch was raised (3 times).

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View down to Clan Gregor graveyard

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Heading up to Glengyle
Heading up to Glengyle
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As far as you can get up the River Gyle

It was a short day (about 10 miles) but very enjoyable.

Erskine to Paisley Town Centre, Oct 31st 2015

Paddlers: Mark, Adele and Geoff

Route: Boden Boo Beach, Erskine Bridge-Clydebank-White Cart-Paisley and VV (with detour up Black Cart)

FOR LARGE VERSIONS OF PICTURES JUST DOUBLE CLICK ON IMAGE

Cart Map
Map of Route with inset showing route through Paisley Town Centre 

Weather: Amazingly Good. Strong breeze from SW across route, Sunshine, hazy at times.

Report: This was originally planned as a simple beginners trip across Loch Long. The last email reads “The wind forecast for 9 until midday is now Force 5 with Force 8 gusts with quite heavy rain. Even on the canal it would be unpleasant at the very least. However I am very reluctant to cancel and the wind is meant to drop quickly in the afternoon so I suggest an afternoon trip. I am still worried about Loch Long (F6 gusts forecast) and have tried to think of alternatives. It is a very high tide at 3pm so my suggestion is a paddle from Erskine Bridge up the Clyde and River Cart right into the centre of Paisley. If we time it correctly we can kayak through the tunnel underneath Gilmour Street to the weir by the Abbey/Mill” . Sadly only 3 of the original 10 could make the revised timings and/or felt they were up to 20km in 5 hours.

The beach adjacent to the Boden Boo Car Park is an excellent launch point, with soft yellow gently shelving sand. The river (Clyde) is wide and grey with open grass/marsh areas to the south and industrial building to the north and the incoming tide easily countered any current.

The Erskine Bridge from Boden Boo beach
The Erskine Bridge from Boden Boo beach
THe River CLyde looking downriver from Clydebank
The River Clyde looking downriver from Clydebank

A very pleasant paddle down to the Titan Crane at Clydebank where we passed the only other craft on the water.

Totan Crane and MV Strathdon
Titan Crane and MV Strathdon

Opposite the college we turned up the River Cart for about 1km where it splits between the White and Black Cart. The former runs up through Paisley and on to Pollock whilst the Black Cart flows through Johnstone from Castle Semple Loch. The main features of the river until Paisley are the (Ugly?) Lift Bridge, a number of factories and the difficulty in getting off the water.

Lift Bridge over White Cart (looking North)
Lift Bridge over White Cart (looking North)

On entering Paisley there is a small overgrown slip on the left with a small grass area, the only place for a rest on the whole river. Timing on this trip is critical. In the 1960’s a shopping centre was built over the river beside Gilmour Street Station. In effect the river was put into two large long concrete culverts that normally only have a trickle of water through them. As Wikipedia puts it, the river was closed to traffic. However for about 1 hour around high tide there is just enough depth for a kayak and 30 minutes from High Tide we passed through the dark, noisy left tunnel to emerge into Paisley Town Centre.

In the tunnel
In the tunnel
Emerging from the Tunnel
Emerging from the Tunnel
Paisley Abbey from river
Paisley Abbey from river

To our bemusement there was a fun fair across the next bridge; part of the Halloween Fair and the screams of the kids on the rides dominated.

Halloween Fair on Bridge
Halloween Fair on Bridge

However a few more bridges took us into the relative calm of the mill pool just downstream of the rapids called the Hamills, the furthest point on our route.

 

The Mill and Weir
The Mill and Weir

We took, with our very short break, 2 hours to get to the tunnel entrance (at 2.30) and spent about 30 minutes above the tunnel in Paisley. However the critical factor was now the light with sunset at 16:30. So we started back at 15.00 with the tide just about to turn. The journey back was attractive (on the way up we could not see it because of the dazzling sun) and uneventful.

Going underneath the Motorway
Going underneath the Motorway

We turned up the Black Cart for about 1km under a lovely stone bridge, to give Mark a chance to have coffee right at the end of the runway.

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With the light rapidly fading we pushed on onto the Clyde and back to the bridge and the beach.

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It proved to be a superb trip, full of interest and surprise and available only to paddlers. It is strongly recommended but our time allowance of 4.5 hours for the 20km would have been a major struggle for inexperienced paddlers. We suggest a start at least 3 hours before high tide and a high tide at least 3 hours before sunset (not 1.5hours!).