2/3 June 2018 Loch Hourn

2/3 June 2018 Loch Hourn

Launching at Kinlochhourn

This was the second of Ian's organised weekend trips this year and he got the perfect weather yet again though with one or two added features for interest. Eight members met at 1200 Kinlochhourn ready for the launch. The new? gravel slip made parking and launching easy though it might have been more challenging in the bottom half of the tide. We travelled down the loch with the outgoing tide balancing the incoming gentle breeze and admiring the significant ups and downs of the lochside footpath.

Lunch at Runival Ladhar Bheinn back left.

 The late lunch stop was at the old school house at Runival. As we came into Barriesdale Bay we made a last minute decision to head for Inbhir Dhorrcail rather than up the river channel and mud flats to Barriesdale bothy.

Camp at Inbhir Dhorrchail, Beinn Sgritheall across behind Arnisdale

Across the bay we were pursued by a developing thunder storm, we landed, pitched in rapid order and in the nick of time took cover from the rain and midges. No one was struck by lightning. Two hours later we emerged to a fine evening with the friendly midges being detered by an open fire.

Inbhir Dhorrchail

Day 2, Ron & Paul headed for the hills. First paddling to the west end of the Barriesdale Bay and then heading up the Creag Bheithe ridge to Stob Chearcaill and then back down by Mam Barriesdale.

Paddlers crossing to Corran

When we returned to the kayaks 6 hours later the tide had retreated to leave a long carry and wade to relaunch. Then it was back up the loch with a good following wind. The rest of the party had a leisurely breakfast, then paddled acrosss to Corran to visit Sheena's Tea Hut before returning to Kinlochhourn.

The long launch across Barriesdale Bay

We arrived at Kinlochhourn almost at low tide so there was a bit of carrying to get back onto the slipway. A brilliant weekend, a bit hot (can't complain!) and enough breeze most of the time to keep the midges away.