Shuna Island, Appin

Tuesday night’s sea paddle was organised by Roger at Appin, where he was joined by Fiona, Paul, Áine, Allan, Dave and Stuart.

The Sound of Shuna was sheltered and calm and it was decided to circumnavigate Shuna Island in an anti-clockwise direction, however rounding to the NW side of the island found the paddlers moving against both the tide and wind in quite a swell- this was expected as they had agreed to do the harder bit on the outward leg.  At the Southern tip, it was decided to visit Castle Stalker, however the paddlers had unfortunately missed all the helicopter and lifeboat drama of the day. See here!  A paddle back up the Sound assisted by the wind & tide then got everyone back to the cars well before sun down.

Roger failed miserably in that he had arranged no wildlife spots whatsoever, unless you count a rock which looked a bit like a bird of prey from the distance.  As a paddle however, it was one way, had hugely varying sea conditions and was an interesting coastline not seen from the road.

The route

Sheltered Sound.  Pic: Paul Biggin

Setting off.  Pic Roger Wild

Pic: Paul Biggin

A bit of swell.  Pic: Roger Wild

No one thought to bring any entrance money.

Pic: Roger Wild

See the rest of Rogers images here!

LYC Paddle

The sea paddle this week was planned by Dave as a rescue sesh, but summer holidays are still upon us and just Angus, Stephen, Allan and Kenny were able to join him so given the exceptionally high tide and calm loch, it was decided just to go for a paddle instead.  Anything to avoid getting deliberately wet!

The group headed straight over to Camusnagaul where a young otter was spotted catching & devouring a fish, however the trail of bubbles was then lost as both the otter and paddlers crossed an eddy line close to the shore & other things took over.  The group continued over to Corpach past islands teeming with screeching sea birds before helping one of the basin anglers get his lure further out than he could ever have imagined casting! The Souters Lass, and a speed boat, caused alterations to the course on the way back as the paddlers were met with wash from opposing sides, however the skipper (who was obviously using binoculars), did announce to his passenger visitors who they were motoring past.  The evening darkened very quickly reminding everyone that summer is on the wane, but hot drinks and a debrief in the LYC clubhouse provided a very civilised end to the evening paddle.

 Whilst at Corpach, the paddlers felt obliged to do a

paddle past Paul's house and private slipway!

 Lots of dangerous driftwood due to the recent spring tides.

Angus wanted to tow this one back for his wood burning stove!

High tides = short exit slips!

Loch Moidart

Ken, Liz, Paul & Allan met at Loch Moidart for this weeks evening paddle.  Put in was at the old stone jetty on the North side around an hour after low tide, and this gave just enough water to paddle out, and a nice full loch for the return.  The group passed various islands spotting both a playful seal and an otter en route as well as herons and other sea birds, before turning in to Dorlin just after Castle Tiaoram and paddling up to the outlet for the River Sheil against a Southerly wind.  The return proved a little more tricky to navigate as dusk arrived early on the dull night making it difficult to discern land from islands, nevertheless they made it back to the cars prior to official sunset just after 10pm.  It seems as though we are now heading for winter again……

Our route......

Setting off

Ken & Liz in matching boats, with Allan trailing behind

Ken contemplating the seriousness of having agreed to
descend the River Sheil next month in a sea kayak.

Loch Nan Uamh (again, but a different bit!)

Seven paddlers turned out for the meet at Drimindarroch, Arisaig. A high spring tide made for easy launching (low water is not recommended for this venue unless you like muddy walks). We paddled along to the rock formations off Charlottes bothy. Then porpoises were spotted, as was a swimming deer. Then out round the islands of An Glas Eileam and An Sgurr. And back before the sunset.

Our route, according to Martins iphone...

 Pic: Paul Biggin

Pic: Paul Biggin

Pic: Martin Basil

Pic: Paul Biggin

and home.......

Loch nan Uamh

For the midsummer visit to Loch nan Uamh we had an exceptional turnout of 13 kayakers.

 

We launched from the fisherman's ramp just east of the Prince’s Cairn. A very high spring tide gave us the opportunity to explore the inner reaches of Loch Beag including the the meanders of the Polnish burn.

 

Then we paddled on a rather lumpy sea along the south shore and then across to a shingle beach west of the Prince’s cairn. Those in the party mode landed and took a leisurely break.