Loch Eilt

Martin & Liz had to pull out at the last minute, leaving just Allan & Colin T to go on the Tuesday paddle this week.

It was decided to head straight over to Essan to have a wee look at the bothy, where they totally surprised a walker who simply hadn’t seen them approaching due to the height of the bracken.

Leaving Essan, a golden eagle was spotted just to the East, they then paddled on, passing a cormorant sitting atop one of the dead trees poking out of the loch and unexpectedly, some water lillies.  At the western end, they paddled round the islands & Caledonian pine trees before returning in the dark in mirror calm water, passing another cormorant; this one dead and lying on a little rock poking just above the surface.  Clearly the bird had arrived there alive, but possibly injured.

Nearly missed the steam train!

Essan

They didn't expect water lillies!

Loch Sheil

A select three Allan, Colin M & Paul braved the driech weather. But it wasn't too bad as the rain held off while we paddled around the head of Loch Shiel. We launched at Slattach Pier. Just as well we didn't go for launching at the old boat shed on the river Callop as we later found that the channel was blocked by fallen alder. The loch was mirror smooth and we explored first the Callop then the Finnan - managed as far as under the road bridge before the rough stuff started. Then we headed down the loch to the fish farm and the small beach behind it. Paddled back in the gathering gloom, the nights are gathering in ! And then packed up without being too bothered by the midges because of a slight breeze.

Loch Leven

Loch Leven was the programmed paddle for this week. With Allan and Ken still recovering from the Oban - Fort William trip at the weekend and 2 beginners - Lorna (Ken's daughter) and Colin M - we elected for a short relaxing paddle. Weather conditions were fine with calm waters and little wind, but overcast. We set of from the shingle beach at Lochside Cottages in Ballachulish and paddled out round Eilean Choinneich and on to Eilean Munde. We stopped here to view the burial ground - fairly extensive but unfortunately somewhat overgrown and unkempt. We also saw seals basking on one of the small islands and either 3 herons, or the same heron 3 times, but with the light already fading we then headed straight back and rapidly packed up as the midges descended.

A pleasant gentle evening kayak.

Getting ready for the off

 Colin and Allan on the water

Towards the Pap

Lorna

 Eilean Munde burial ground

 The route - short and sweet!

Oban to Fort William

Liz, Ken, Dave & Allan joined this multi day trip, organised & led by Chris Dickinson.

The group left Oban bay late afternoon for the 10km open crossing to Lady’s Rock, however from a relatively calm start, the weather changed considerably from forecast, and the paddlers found themselves making slow progress in headwind in sea conditions fluctuating between force 4 & upper force 5.

Just over 1km from Lismore, a change of route was therefore made, & the group elected to travel the Southern coast of the island instead.  Once in the lee, it suddenly became a lovely evening paddle & it wasn’t long before a suitable camping spot was found.

An audience formed at the railings as the boats were packed

Leaving Oban bay

Still smiling after the arduous crossing

1st night camping on Lismore

Day 2 saw them paddle along the southern coast of Lismore in a brisk following wind, passing between the skerries just North of Port Appin, before travelling through the Sound of Shuna & stopping for lunch at the North end of the Shuna Island.  It was gloriously warm & sunscreen was applied however virtually as soon as they got back on the water, the cloud darkened & descended, bringing a very confused & lumpy following sea.  Taking a break at Balnagowan, it could be seen that conditions were deteriorating, and having identified a suitable camping spot on the uninhabited island, 3pm saw an early end to the days paddling.

The skerries at Port Appin

Lunch spot on Shuna, looking North.

No sign that conditions were about to change

Lumpy sea between  Shuna & Balnagowan island

Evening campfire on Balnagowan Island

Day 3, and everyone was on the water by 6.45am, allowing easy passage through the Corran Narrows on the latter part of the flood tide.  From an extremely wet start, the morning really opened up after Corran, giving a very pleasant paddle back to LYC for just after 11am, where there were hot drinks & a debrief in the clubhouse.

Homeward leg North of Corran

 

Arrival back at LYC

Total distance travelled was 60km (11.5/24.2/24.1), & donations raised by the paddlers went to the charity which Chris founded, www.Nepalschoolstrust.org.uk

Loch Leven

Just Allan, Cathy & Mal hit the water tonight as lots of the regular sea paddlers are away at the moment, although not away together as far as we understand!

Cathy was in FW, but her boat was in Kinlochleven, so a last minute change of plan was agreed to move the paddle location from Arisaig to Ballachulish in order to get more time on the water.  Loch Leven is also Mal’s home ground when it comes to paddling, even though he doesn’t stay there anymore.

Put in was at the slate built net stores at S. Ballachulish where there is a very short pebble beach.  It was an ebb tide, so the group skirted the burial isle then headed East, hugging the Southern coast of the Loch up to & through the Coalasnacon narrows.  They then turned & cut into the stream & roughly hugged the Northern coastline before crossing back over to the put in, moments before the sun went down & the rain started.  There was a dearth of wildlife spots, just like last week.

There was little wind, and the loch was flat calm for a lot of the time, albeit in an ebbing tide.  It was one of those evenings when it could really be appreciated how lucky we are to have all of this on our doorstep!

Lovely calm evening

Just back in time!