The club web site has moved to www.neviscanoeclub.co.uk

The club web site has moved to www.neviscanoeclub.co.uk

As from 5th January 2020

Glencoe - 8th December

Glencoe - 8th December
With a forecast for 40 mph gusts, heavy showers and a temperature of 4 degrees this was not a meet for the faint hearted. However six made it for coffee at Crafts and Things (excellent scones) but only 3 were mad enough to go on the water. We put in at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. The first lap of the islands went well and for a spell we could not see any white horses. For the second lap things changed and we got some impressive gusts in which we took shelter on one of the islets while we watched sheets of spray being driven past. One member ran out of puff and got a helping tow home. For those that missed it, it was an excellent learning experience!

Sat 16th Nov Dornie

November 2019 outing
Part of our drive to keep going through the winter - fortune favours the brave!

Bridge to Dornie Castle

Dornie Castle

Luch at Ardintoul House

Tues Eve: 13th Aug : Loch Oich & Laggan Canal Reach

Tues Eve: 13th Aug : Loch Oich & Laggan Canal Reach. Eight of us braved the lilly smooth conditions. Paddling from the Forestry Commission picnic site at the Well of the Seven Heads down to the lock gates at the entrance to Loch Lochy proved to be a pleasant surprise.

The A82 swing bridge at Laggan

The Allt an Lagain enters the canal

Loch Nevis - Sourlies

The latest NCC adventure was a trip to Sourlies bothy at the head of Loch Nevis. Four paddlers (Ian Mac, Colin McC, Steve G and Martine Cooper) set off from Mallaig in very calm but overcast conditions. Occasional showers eventually turned into a downpour and our lunch stop at Tarbet was a scramble to find a doorway to shelter under to avoid very soggy sandwiches. Wildlife sightings on the way out included porpoise and a very energetic seal breaching beyond the narrows at Kyles knoydart. We arrived at Sourlies about 15.30, grateful for the shelter of the bothy and the opportunity to get some gear dry for the morning and avoid the midges.

Plenty of Cetaceans around

Mandatory NCC beach lunch stop

Cameron Mcintosh's place at Tarbet

Arriving at Sourlies

A welcome shelter after the rain

A little luxury thanks to Martine

Colin chose to brave the midges in order to avoid the snoring in the bothy so pitched his tent outside. Surprisingly (or perhaps not given the forecast) no one else joined us in the bothy so we had it to ourselves. A few drams and wine accompanied by some luxury chocolates (Thanks Martine for sharing your birthday chocs!) helped to send us all off to sleep for a good nights rest.

One brave soul chose to camp

Arriving at high tide as we did hadn’t prepared us for the expedition required just to get the kayaks launched in the morning! Martine’s work carrying rocks around to repair footpaths paid huge dividends and Colin was left feeling a little inadequate as he struggled with his share of two fully laden kayaks. We returned following the north coast of Loch Nevis and encountered curious seals, an otter hunting and more porpoise along the way. The wind was a bit stronger than the Saturday and provided a little swell to deal with but nothing too challenging, and overhead was a mixture of sunny spells and spectacular cloud formations.

Best to plan to avoid low tide for launching!

Relief that the long carry is over

Passing Kyles Knoydart

We made a short stop at Inverie, just to say we’d been (the coffee shop wasn't open!)  then paddled on up the coast to find a deserted sandy beach for lunch. Most of the group missed the young white tailed eagle sitting on the point just before Mallaig harbour entrance. However all arrived back exhausted but exhilarated after a great weekends paddle, especially Martine as it was her first real kayak expedition,

Ian MacLeod 31.07.2019

Looking back to Sgurr na Ciche

July 30th Annat Narrows

Annat Narrows

An excellent turn out with 12 on the water and ideal conditions for a paddle up the Annat Narrows against the tide - neaps so an easy paddle - then back round the islands.

Ben Nevis from the Annat Narrows

Shetland

A week in Shetland with some of the Nevis Canoe Club; Brian, Ron, Ian, Steve G, Liz and Ken. Thanks to Ian’s planning, we had ideally located, practical and affordable accommodation in the Shetland Amenities Trust Bods at Sumburgh, Walls and Voe. The weather wasn’t bad; it was variable and allowed us to have paddles every day at Mousa, Sumburgh Head, St. Ninians Isle, Vaila, Vermentry, Papa Stour, Ronas Voe and South Nesting. Fantastic scenery at all venues with caves, arches and stacks all too numerous to count. Loads of birds (for more detail ask Ian) and seals but a lack of cetaceans. Thanks to Brian for helping us find the best paddles for the conditions. I wasn’t convinced about going all the way to the Shetland Isles but it, more than, exceeded my expectations with the most amazing coastal scenery I’ve ever seen.<
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Liz Stevenson