Weekend trip on Loch Etive - 12/13 - 11-11

THE weather was looking good for a weekend trip up Loch Etive - a southerly wind to blow us (Alan Lindsay and I) up the loch on Saturday, and a wee change to an easterly on Sunday to help blow us back down the loch.

With very little problems caused by tides in Loch Etive, we looked forward to a smashing two-days on the loch and a world class view from the campsite at Rubha Bharr (see below).

Rubha Bharr camp site with Beinn Mheadhonach, in sunlight, on right

My breakfast view from Rubha Bharr of Ben Cruachan in sun-spotlights

Crossing Loch Etive in front of Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh (behind)

Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh hills in middle of shot with the empty mussel frames in foreground. (There has been an infection of the mussels in Loch Etive and at present all frames have been cut down).

A blatant advert for WERNER paddles Mr Milne - with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh in background.

Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh and our campsite Rubha Bharr

Ben Cruachan range spotlit

Camp site on Rubha Bharr with (lft to rgt) Meall Dearg, Beinn Molurgainn and Creach Bheag hills in background.

And so it begins, with Alan launching at Taynuilt/ Bonawe

Bonawe quarry

The mussel fishermen's rest boat, equipped with all the mod cons for cooking inc. microwave.

Alan approaching the stunning hills of upper Loch Etive

Craig Cottage

The view down the loch from my tent on Rubha Bharr

The view down the loch and of Ben Cruachan from my tent on Rubha Bharr

The view down the loch from my tent on Rubha Bharr

Sitting comfortably enjoying the view and late evening sun

The view of the camp-site at Rubha Bharr

Alan doing his best Marlene Deitrich... 'I vant to be alone...'

The 'Chair...'

Taking in the evening sunshine

Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh and the lil bothie Creag Dhubh

Late evening visitors at our campfire

Alan brewing the mulled wine

Smashin' campfire for the baked potatoes later

Campfire visitor 2

Baked/ jacket tottie fire

Campfire visitor 3

The moon came out and lit up the camp site through the trees, fantastic sight

The view from my tent door at 4am

The view from my tent door at 8.30am

Wonderful colours on the autumnal trees and bracken

The view down the loch 

Our campsite with Beinn Mheadhonach hill high on right

Alan's campsite with Beinn Mheadhonach hill high on right

Ben Cruachan range early morning

Alan enjoying the Ben Cruachan range at breakfast time

Campsite on Rubha Bharr with (lft to rgt) Meall Dearg, Beinn Molurgainn and Creach Bheag hills in background.

Ready to launch on Sunday morning with Beinn Mheadhonach hill on high

Ready to launch

Crossing Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh as my backdrop

Crossing Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh as my backdrop

Crossing Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh as my backdrop

Crossing Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh as Alan's backdrop

Crossing Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh as Alan's backdrop

Loch Etive with Monadh Liath (rgt) and Stob an Duine Ruaidh and Beinn Trilleachan on left of loch

Us trying to get up the Kinglass river at Ardmaddy.. it got too shallow

Alan's new best friend - Sammy the Seal.

Lunch stop at Port an Dobhrain Jetty with Beinn Duirinnis hill

While we had lunch we noticed a cairn along the beach and on investigation the carved stone told us it was 'In Memory of the Chiefs of the Clan MacIntyre'