AFTER the cracking weekend up at Arisaig, a couple of days later, Andy enquired if I fancied a wee evening paddle on Loch Goil to Carrick Castle? 'When do we launch big chap?'
Andy arriving at the 'Midge Infested' Carrick Castle.
Launch site was our old dive site at the oil tanker terminal at Finnart Pier on Loch Long (no sign of the swarms and swarms of the dreaded biting midges that met us on our return a few hours later).
The tide was on its way in so made the launch none to problematic and no long carries to the water's edge.
Off round the oil tanker terminal heading for Loch Goil, Andy passes one such tanker registered in Gibralter.
Across the lochs into Loch Goil and headed for Carrick Castle with the hills above shrouded in evening mist.
The 15th century Carrick Castle is in the throws of redevelopment and scaffold is attached to its walls.
Carrick Castle
However, when we eventually landed at Carrick Castle, the aforementioned Midge met us en mass!!
Midge Hell for Andy
A quick photo opperchancity
Castle Castle
In our mad rush to get back in the boats and away from the Midge, all traditional methods of boat re-entry were forgotten and it was every man for themselves!
Get away from land as fast as possible!
The middle of the loch was the only safe haven from the midge.
And it was a gentle paddle back to Loch Long via some Loch Goil coast.
The rain came on a bit as we past this gorgeous, but lonesome, cottage on Loch Goil
We 'thought' it would be good idea for us to take a shortcut under the pier on the way back to the car, but, the man on the pier advised us against it due the the 'inflammable nature of the chemicals being piped ashore at the time...'
So, it was round the side of the boat and back to the car, and those dreaded, dreaded midges that ended up in EVERY available orifice.. But, a cracking fish tea in Helensburgh more than made up for it.
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