Pre Christmas Meet - Glenbrittle

Last December some members of the club had a very enjoyable pre-Christmas meet in the well equipped BMC hut in Glenbrittle.  A range of activities; kayaking, walking, cycling, surf practice, eating, drinking and socialising were packed into the weekend.   It was so successful that we thought we'd repeat it again this year and also thought that friends and family of members might enjoy it as well.  The hut sleeps 18/20 in 3 x 6 bedded dorms.  Liz Stevenson (esteve123@btinternet.com) has made a provisional booking for the weekend of the 8th & 9th December 2017 and will be in touch again in a few weeks time, to see who's interested and, to ask for the hut fee of £15 per person per night.

Loch Lochy Evening Paddle 1 Aug 2017

Loch Lochy Evening Paddle 1 Aug 2017

Put in at Bunarkaig

The put in point was Bunarkaig – just before the bridge over the River Arkaig. Just a shorter carry to the water. Grid Ref NN186877. Tracey, Alan, Brian, Steve, Liz and Ken enjoyed a very pleasant paddle on Loch Lochy – despite the rain showers. We paddled to Gairlochy and back then had a quick play in the outfall of the River Arkaig to round off the evening.

A blink of sunshine over Loch Lochy

25th July Caolasnacon and Loch Leven

25th July Caolasnacon and Loch Leven

Launching at Caolasnacon, the narrows and Garbh Bheinn behind

Another fine night with sunshine and enough wind to keep the midges at bay. Ten ethusiasts hit the water at the Caolasnacon narrows of Loch Leven. After a slight hitch looking for the best layby to park and from which to launch we found a good spot at NN133613. Kayaks had to be carried across the road and easily then 50m across grass to the shore. Launching towards high tide was easy but straight into he current flowing through the narrows.

Caolasnacon Narrows and the Pap of Glencoe

Then with the current of the High Water spring tide all the way (5.5 km) to the rapids below the road bridge in Kinlochleven. The tide turned conveniently just after 8 pm and gave an easy return paddle. 

18th July Appin Tues Eve paddle

18th July Appin Tues Eve paddle
Tonight's paddle saw Paul,Colin M,Steve G, Ian M,Morgan,Fiona,Alan,Eilidh and Erin hit the water at Appin. We parked in the large layby at the side of the A828 at Leitir Shuna Map ref NM929492.

Leitir Shuna - Setting off from the launch site.

Launching is a short carry down a steep grass verge and onto rocks and sea weed - easier than it sounds even at low water. As we had couple of novice paddlers and it looked breezy further out we toodled along coast through moored yachts and round to Castle Stalker where we had a quick break before paddling back to cars.

At low water neaps you can paddle around Castle Stalker and land.

Tues Eve 4th July Loch nan Uamh

Tues Eve 4th July Loch nan Uamh

NM726843 Plenty of parking A830 on rough entrance to track

Launch from a narrow shingle inlet after a 150m carry down a rough track

A lovely evening for our paddle on Loch nan Uamh. Eight of us set off from the little inlet at the Eastern end of the loch – Steve G, Claire, Dave, Morgan, Fiona, Paul, Ken and Liz. There were seals aplenty around the first set of islands, many being just young pups.

We then headed along the North coast to the Borrodale islands and circumnavigated Eilean nan Cabar (the island with the trees) before heading back. A few midges around so we packed up quickly and headed home.

Eilean na Gobhar from Forsay - Loch Ailort

Tuesday 20th June - Eilean na Gobhar from Forsay - Loch Ailort

Parking NM690780 both sides of A861

Ten of us got the weather perfect. Launched from Forsay where there is a short carry through the trees and across the shingle beach, not too bad even at low tide.

Paddled out to Eilean na Gobhar (Goat island) and then right across Loch Ailort to Eilean a'Chaolais where we had some entertainment paddling through a small channel. Then back across to Goat Island and landed on the east side where there is a sandy beach at LW at the south end. Finished off with a visit to the bay in front of Rosheven House.

23rd May Tues Eve Loch Leven

A select bunch of four met at Callert. Warm, wet and not very windy and not many midges about yet. Sorry no photos in the somewhat driech conditions. Paddled along to the fish farm to see the salmon leaping and then across to the Isles of Glencoe Hotel to see the diners dining. Finished off with a trip round the islands, there is still a reasonable path up to the chapel from the east end. A good trip in spite of the damp.

16th May - Tues Eve Glenfinnan

16th May - Tues Eve Glenfinnan

The first "official" Tuesday evening paddle of the season was enjoyed by Ken, Liz, Paul, Tracey, Christine, Fiona and Claire. The rain and wind of earlier in the day cleared up and we enjoyed a midge free jaunt first up the river Finnan and then up the river Callop and finished off around the island. I've been on the loch several time and this is the lowest I've seen it at this time of year so we didn't get quite as far up the rivers.
Slattach pier head now has a notice reserving parking for residents and asking kayakers to unload only.

Spring Forward

When the clocks moved forward a few dedicated paddlers started going out on the odd Tuesday evening. This included a couple of trips around the islands in Loch Linnhe in front of the Caledonian Canal and a short trip in a chill wind from the yacht club before the AGM.
Now we are into May we have started the beginner sessions. Nine have signed up, we started with a pool session and held the first outdoor session based at Outward Bound led by coach Ally. Excellent Lochaber weather marred only slightly by the first midges of the season as we packed up. Three more sessions will follow on Monday evenings through May.

Swimmers coming off the ferry at Fishnish

The first Day meet of the season morphed into excort duty for a group of open water swimmers crossing the Sound of Mull. This involved an early start but conditions were perfect and the well organised event was a success and enjoyed by all.
After the swim and lunch we did a short trip from Lochaline around Ardtornish Point and into Aoneadh Beag House.

Heading towards the castle at Ardtornish Point

In the bay at Aoneadh Beag

NEVIS CANOE CLUB - AGM

Tue 25 April 2017 AGM in LYC clubhouse 7:30 pm - for those who wish there will be a short paddle from the clubhouse, on the water at 6:00pm. Only 2 paddlers took to the water in rather cold blustery conditions. The AGM took place with a disappointing attendance of only 8. The committee continues unchanged except we have a new child protection officer. The main discussion topics included the sea kayak programme and the use of club funds on instructors.

Adult begginer sessions

A short series of paddle sessions has been organised for adult beginners or those with basic experience. They will start with a pool session at the Leisure centre on Friday 28th April in the water from 8 until 9 pm. Then there will be four Monday evening (6 to 8:30 pm) sessions based at Locheil Outward Bound. on 8/15/22 and 29th May. All equipment is provided. The sessions are subsidised by the club but there will be a charge of £40 which includes £15 membership. More detail can be obtained by emailing the club at neviscc@hotmail.co.uk

Pool Sessions

Pool Sessions - It's three done and three to go. We've had 12 to 14 in each of the pool sessions so far, so still plenty of room for any members who want to join in.

See the dates on the programme page. We've also organised an extra session specially for beginners on Friday 28th April so if you want to check out if you can float or get in and out of your kayak, this is your chance. This will be before beginner sessions start in Locheil through May and before the Tuesday evening paddles start.