Paddling for Fun

6 Sept 2011

Weekend trip from Arisaig to Mallaig 2-5/6/11

THE trip I had imagined in my head that would really appeal to me was up along the coast between Arisaig and Mallaig and out to the 'Sma Isles' (Small Islands) Eigg and Rum... I had been up there years ago and all I could remember was the white sand and aqua marine coloured seas.

So, when Muir Porter had posted on the Glasgow Kayak Club's web site about heading up there from Glasgow I jumped in with both paddles.

Trip members included, from left: Andrew Jennings, Me, Muir Porter, Chris Bell and Dave McCall, Dick Parsons took the picture.
This image is my screen saver, it's my favourite from the weekend, us on the beach at our first night stop over of Port nam Murrach, just south of Arisaig and what a belting place to stop (see later images and story).

Off up the road myself on Thursday June 2 as the rest of the team weren't coming up until the following day. Original member Andy Mcmanus couldn't make it, so I went on my own. An early stop at The Black Mount entering Glen Coe saw the morning mist over the mountains.

On arrival at Arisaig I had to venture along the 'old road' between Arisaig and Mallaig - there is now a vastly quicker road by-passing Arisaig and the winding coastal route - however, I urge you to NEVER by-pass the coastal route!!
This is the view of the mountains of Rum through low cloud.

By the time I eventually got up the sun was thinking about setting, so I sat on the sand dunes of Camusdarach Beach, more famously known for the beach scenes shot in the acclaimed movie by Bill Forsyth - 'Local Hero'.

Eigg and Rum from the Camusdarach Beach sand dunes.

So, back to the camp spot for the night, and what a spot. Just three miles along the 'Rhu' road from Arisaig with the sun setting over Loch nan Ceal and the skerries just outside Arisaig.

The view from my sleeping bag the following morning... flat calm loch

Loch nan Ceal from my camp site.

Loch nan Ceal and Arisaig across the water, a gorgeous setting for breakfast at Arlene and Murdo's bench and table.

The bench and table and flowers are in memory of Arlene and Murdo (McMillan?) at Millburn Cottages corner at Port Mhuilion, where I stayed two nights because of the peace and beauty of the area. Thanks for having me.

Views of Eigg and Rum across the top of the skerries outside Arisaig

The skerries at Arisaig

The mountains of Rum and Eigg rise above the skerries outside Arisaig.

I went for a wee run in the car again along the coastal route instead of hitting the water, as the lads were coming up later on the Friday anyway and I couldn't resist the area.
Morar Sands with the tide out.

Morar Sands

During the Friday I thought I should sort my gear out as I had brought everything kayakie I had.. stuff I was going to take and stuff I was leaving were put in their relevant boxes.

The Bird?...It was coming

Earlier in the previous week I had spotted a posting on Facebolox about how someone should start a beach message writing page, so I took this to add it to the world beach message writing page HELLO!

The lads eventually pitched up and we all had a grand time getting aquainted in the Arisaig Hotel over a cuppla Guinness and steak and chips with the venerable Muir getting aquainted with the bar maid with the straight to the point question - "Are those real...?" Everyone sniggered and the fair maiden reddened in the face a little as she asked nervously if he meant her Tattoos?.. "Of course," answers our Muir, and everyone relaxed as she looked as though she could deal with the rest of us no bother if further questions took a more suspicious line.
Oh how we laughed, for the rest of the weekend.

Onto preparing for getting onto the water at last, Muir, Andrew, Dick and Dave discuss routes and weather as we launch from near the Rhu road-end.

Muir and Dick get going quicker than everyone else as we phaff...

Andrew J phaffs and is last onto the water as Dick, Dave and Chris wait patiently on the water below the 81m high Tor Mor.

We ventured south west from launch site to the white sandy beach at Port nam Murrach.. a stunning beach and camp site with awe inspiring views out to Eigg and Rum and beyond.

Chris and Dave carry Dave's carbon fibre stealth boat up the beach as Andrew and Muir digest the views.

Andrew J and Muir await 'haunners' with their boats.

Our camp site of Port nam Murrach

Chris Bell noticed water in his hatch and on further investigation he also noticed that his hatch cover seal was... er, loose, on his brand new boat!

The views from our tents of Rum

Every time I see this image I try to find words to describe how I felt that morning looking at the scenery and taking in the views whilst having breakfast. Probably speechless.

Time to get moving - but as the wind had picked up and a number of other factors - me and Chris's loose hatch seal - being two, the final decision NOT to head to the 'Sma Isles' Eigg and Rum was taken and the new heading was north into the wind and tide

Tents down

As the boats were put in the water in preparation for a photo-opperchancity, however, Dick's boat was caught by a wave and taken out quickly.
Dave McCall raced to catch it in his slippers.

Andrew and Muir head north with Eigg and Rum as a tremendous backdrop.

We prepared to leave the cosy shelter of the skerries to cross the north channel and out into the head wind.

After a very hard (for me) 10km paddle into a heavy head wind I had to stop and what a place to stop?! - The small beach just south and next to Camusdarach Beach, this one called Camus an Daraich.

We had the place to ourselves except for a small family playing in the sea as we wanted to snap the scenery without them in it, we had lunch.

Andrew and Muir discuss how to move the folk out the water..

When they moved we had this to ourselves...

Another wee breather futher up the coast was required as my back was starting to give in with the struggle against the wind.
This one was just in the bay of Bogha Dearg, with the mast on Bourblach Hill above Morar on the ridge above.

It was no use, after 12 miles my back had gone into spasm and refused to help me paddle another stroke as we arrived at Mallaig, just as the Skye ferry arrived in port, so I had to give in and abandon and leave the lads to head across Loch Nevis to the 'Old Forge Inn' at Inverie.
It is the most remotest Inn with NO road into the site only an 18 mile trek or 7km sea crossing - I left my kayak in a local B+B's garden with the permission of the owner and took the train back to Arisaig.
The plan was I would stay at Arisaig again and return to Mallaig the following afternoon to 'Shuttle' the drivers back to their cars so they could collect their own boats and save on a long paddle back there themselves.
The train journey was gorgeous along the coast again with ice cream in hand.
On arrival at Arisaig I had the small job of a 4 mile walk to my car!! But it was a beautiful day and my back had eased off after a long stretching session in a local lay-by! and more Ice Cream from the Arisaig Spar!

Arisaig from Morroch Point.

Sunday morning arrived and I had a few hours to kill before heading up to Mallaig to ferry the lads back down to their respective motors, so I had a wee wonder over land to the Port nam Murrach camp site and the views of the skerries are superb from on high.

An Sgurr hill on Eigg

Ferry from Skye with the Cuillin Hills above

The lads arrive in Mallaig harbour

Ben Nevis rising above Fort William as I head south and home still stunned by the beauty of it all..

Day trip on Loch Long - (Missing the 'Royal Wedding') 29-4-11

WELL, it was either stay in and watch the 'Royal Wedding', or, make one's apologies and beat it out for a paddle on a gorgeous day.

'PADDLE'

I had thought of launching from where I used to go diving at Finnart Pier, just north of Garelochhead, however, on arrival there I found that there was now a notice up at the ramp to the water just past the car park at the gas tanks and pier - 'No launching - Private Property' - and the path down from the car park we used when diving was in bits, so I couldn't really lift the 25kg 'Capella' down over the very loose rocks.

So, it was a wee drive south to find a suitable launch site.

'Coulport Naval Base must have a wee slip?' I thought to myself.

But, obviously as a 'Naval Base' there wouldn't be too many easy access points.

NONE!

However, from the gate of the base I could see a nice easy wee beach area next to the road a couple of hundred yards down the road.

So, after a wee portage over a field with, firstly the boat then the kit, it was launch time from a place called Peaton Layo, with a view to paddle up Loch Long for a bit of sight seeing.

A wee trundle past the Naval base and a couple of beaches across the loch caught my eye, so I headed off towards Ardentinny.

Launching from Peaton Layo with Coulport Naval Base just on right hand side of photo and Ardentinny to left on opposite side of Loch Long as Creachan Mor rises 657m above the loch on the right.

Now on west side of Loch Long where a few sandy beaches were inviting

A small derelict pier north of Ardentinny was quite appealing.

Eventually the invitation of the beach at 'Shepherd's Point' was taken up for a lunch stop

Eventually the invitation of the beach at 'Shepherd's Point' was taken up for a lunch stop. Coulport Naval Base across Loch Long with the hard hull Police security boat shining across the water.

The loch-side path to/ from Shepherd's Point picnic area.

Lunch stop/ Glenfiddoch stop more like, but it was a lovely spot to stop at with cracking views down the loch.

As the day wore on and I hadn't moved, the wind picked up and waves grew, so I decided to hit the road back across the loch and home.

However, as I did set off the waves grew higher and the wind blew harder maybe F3 with F4 gusts so I headed straight across the loch which unfortunately saw me head straight into Coulport Naval Base waters...

So, I turned to skirt the coast to head back to the car, BUT, as I was half way out the base waters, I could hear a distinct RIB engine headinf my way behind me.
I said to myself 'if the engine slows, it's the POLIS..' and yes, the engine slowed and I turned to see a big black RIB with the key word 'POLICE' written on the side of the boat as two burly chaps dressed in black and flak jackets carrying sub-machine guns closed in on me quickly.
But, before I could say... 'this is just like being stopped by the traffic polis, one shouted 'Haw, do you know where you are?'.. I thought if I plead ignorance and say 'Naw, I don't..' I would appear ignorant of what I was doing, so I I had to admit, 'Yes, I know where I am as I was just hiding from the wind and waves as I crossed the loch..'
'That's no excuse, this is Navy property and you shouldn't be here.'
I apologised profusely and smiled a lot and told them where I was, where I was going and where I lived.
I pointed out my car a kilometre down the coast and gave reg number.
They explained that if I was caught in the base' waters again there would be serious consequences for me, I told them 'they wouldn't CATCH me here again,' and I paddled off.
Just before I got back to my car a Police car had left the base, gone to my car and stopped, presumably to take notes of the car and drove back into the base.
The main hard hull Police boat moved into view and sat in place as I paddled back to my car's beach and didn't move til I drove away.
This was the Friday before reports of Osama Bin Laden was shot on the Sunday.. so, I am sure I would have been 'lifted' if it had been after the shooting incident.
A great wee day out and a short paddle with fab views of the Loch Long mountains.

3 Sept 2011

Solo trip on Loch Lomond - 24-4-11

SOMETIMES you just go when your heart tells you to go.. and mine said 'Beat it, doon the loch..!'
And who am I to argue?
So, off down the Loch Lomond on a quiet Sunday in April... calmness abounds and the Luss Horsehoe (below) looks gorgeous as usual (I am seeing a pattern here).
The view from just after launching from Luss.