Tues Eve 21st May 2019 Caolasnacon

Tues Eve 21st May 2019 Caolasnacon
The first Tuesday eve meet of the season; We had ten paddlers Julie, Jamie, Martine, Tricia, Tony & Jess, Ross, Stephen, Ron, Alan and Paul. Beautiful weather with a breeze from the west. With wind and tide easily (for most) up to Kinlochleven but it was much harder to return against the breeze. Quite a long paddle for the first outing for some.

Caolasnacon & the Pap of Glencoe

Tues 12th June Loch Lochy

Tues 12th June Loch Lochy
A lovely evening, fine, sunny and enough breeze to keep the midges away. Seven paddlers, Paul, Ken Barry, Tony, Jess, Morgan, Sara, & Fiona took to the water. We followed the shore down to Bunarkaig Bay and had brief excursion under the road bridge into the river Arkaig. Then we headed across the loch to Glenfintaig House and back.

Beutiful views of Ben Nevis and the Grey Corries

Glenfintaig House

5th June Loch Ailort

Tuesday Eve 5th June paddle from Forsay, Loch Ailort

Port an t-Sluichd

A group of five Paul, Tracey, Ken & Liz, and Elizabeth took to the water from Forsay - easy parking and a short carry down a wooded bank and across shingle pursued by midges. Conditions were calm and a bit cloudy but excellent for paddling. We crossed the loch via Goat Island and Eilean a'Chaolais and then on round to Port an t-Sluichd. Returned via the islands and Roshven House.

Tues 29th May Callert & Glencoe

Tues 29th May Callert & Glencoe

Launching from layby at Callert

The first Tuesday evening outing for the 2018 season saw a good turnout of 9 members. Excellent weather with a force 2 breeze to keep the midges away. We paddled across to Glencoe and with the benefit of a spring tide all the way up the Coe river to the rocky gorge. Then along past the Glencoe boat Club to the Isles of Glencoe hotel (we didn't stop) and then we finished going back across the loch past Eilean Munde.

Glencoe gorge

Isles of Glencoe hotel

Eilean Munde

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.

Tues Eve paddle 25th May Loch Leven

A nice fine evening with an easterly breeze to keep the midges away.

Only five took to the water, Ken, Steve, Dave, Clair & Paul. We had a gentle paddle across to the burial isle then along to the river Coe against the breeze and as far up as we could go on the high tide. Then we followed round the shore to the boat house below the Glencoe Lochan - a long time since I have seen it - not a dilapidated shed but a "des res". Back across the loch and along to the launch site just down from Callert House. 6.3 km.

Tues Eve - Corran Narrows

10th May Tuesday Paddle - Corran Narrows

A lovely fine day with a brisk wind from the NE and an incoming spring tide, ideal conditions to test the tidal waters of Corran Narrows. A group of 10 gathered for the evening paddle. We all managed to get cars and kayaks under the anti campervan barriers - Steve with only 49mm to spare!

 

We started by paddling out into the loch but quickly retreated to cheating the tide by paddling up the shore as far as the Corran Ferry. Then it was out into the main flow to be swirled around. Choppy but not too lumpy and an easy ride back to the picnic site. Packed up in a liesurely fashion - not a midge in sight.

Tues Eve - Loch Arkaig - Or trial by Bike

The first Tuesday evening paddle of the season was well attended - 10 took to the water. First we had to get there against the flow of 6 Day Trials Bikers coming in the opposite direction in the middle of the road. Who'd want to be a biker and get cold, wet AND MUDDY!
Fortunately we got to the foot of Loch Arkaig just as the bikers were finishing otherwise we would not have been able to park.
A pleasant evening, the earlier showers and rain had departed. We paddled up past the islet and fish farm and across to the mouth of the river Mallie.
A gentle paddle back with almost flat conditions. Chris finished off with a roll. Distance for the outing 7 km.

Tuesday Night Paddle 29th Sept

A beautiful fine evening; nine of us launched from the yacht club (Steven, Paul, Ken, Colin, Tracy, Chris, Naomi, Oliver and Charlotte). We paddled up under the underwater centre gantry and up the River Lochy.

High water and a spring tide meant we could choose varied routes up the Lochy and so by different channels we arrived at the railway bridge. By this time we had lights on and we drifted down river past the tail race and back to the club house.
After this trip we had a committee meeting where we discussed pool sessions and kit storage amongst other things.

4th Aug Tues Eve paddle

In spite of the wind - a vigourous SW with quite a few white horses - a party of 6 (Peter, Charlotte, Oliver, Naomi, John and Paul) set off from Caol beach. We managed across to the an Caol island which gave shelter from the waves but not much from the wind (enough to keep two windsurfers happy). Then on the rising tide we just managed to get across the shallows to the mouth of the Lochy. We paddled up the Lochy as far as the railway bridge. Coming back the conflict between river current, tide and wind made for some interesting ferry glides. Thankfully by the time we returned along the beach the wind had died - slightly!

Loch Nan Uamph

In the end the 9 went out on a fine warm "Summer" evening, a few showers to
start with and some fresh gusts blowing through.
Loch nan Uamh , Paddled round the shore into Loch Beag and along shore line
returning to the cars at 2130. Lots of seals spotted in and out of the
water. Bonus was NO midges when we got out thanks to the breeze.

Loch Eil to Loch Linnhe, Tuesday 16th June

This weeks evening paddle was a one way trip from Outward Bound to Lochaber Yacht Club, with Oliver, Naomi and Peter doing a longer trip and paddling from the Yacht Club to OB in advance. They were joined there by Tracey, Chris, Colin, John and Brian.

We started in a very sheltered Loch Eil and were then helped through Annat narrows by the tide. We carried on in sheltered water t Camusnagaul where we stopped for a leg stretch. From here to the Yacht Club was into the wind and chop and some hard paddling was needed - well done to everyone, particularly those who just completed the beginners course the week before.

Bright and sheltered water at the start

A break before the windy bit

Into the wind and rain

Loch Morar paddle, Tuesday 9th June

The weather was good for this weeks evening paddle with a very light wind although a layer of cloud unfortunately kept the sun away. Oliver, Naomi, Chris, Colin McC and Brian M started with a paddle around the many wooded islands. It was interesting to see the completely different vegetation on the islands, with Scots Pine in abundance, in comparison with the heather moorland of the loch shores. This is what most of Scotland should really look like, and might without excesive numbers of sheep, deer and people.

From the islands we paddled over to Lettermorar, an abandoned settlement on the South shore of the loch and explored the old dwellings. We then returned to the cars by a different route through the islands. While packing up the one disadvantage of good summer weather became apparent as the midge clouds started to form around us.

Road works everywhere!

Eilan nam Breac

Lettermorar

Shuna Island. Evening paddle

Lettershuna was the meeting point this week from where the paddlers went through the sound to Castle Stalker before crossing to the Southern end of Shuna Island & paddling up the Western side, before completing the loop back to the cars.

The weather was fantastically sunny but not too warm and the stormy previous day (hence it not being Tuesday this week!) plus a greater wind than forecast made for a reasonable swell with a quite choppy confused sea in parts.

Paddlers were Allan, John, Chris, Steve, Oliver, Naomi and of course Colin T who was the trip organiser this week.

Tuesday Eve Paddle 26th May - Corran

Good paddle last night  with  Colin, Hughie, Chris, Oliver. From Loch Linnhe picnic car park to Corran ferry, round bay and back down the ardgour side before crossing back. Took 2 hrs.Weather gusty and showers. Sorry nNo photos.

Loch Leven

Following the unfortunate weather related cancellation last week, Liz, Ken, Chris, Colin M & Allan met at Loch Leven tonight for the first of this years Tuesday night paddles.
The forecast was looking grim with expected 25kt NW gusts but it didn't actually come to that.  Like the day, the evening was a mix of bright and overcast and fortunately the rain stayed away just long enough to get packed up afterwards.

The paddle left Ballachulish moving round the bay, up the River Coe a wee bit before going back out into Loch Leven and crossing to the burial Isle just before sun down..  The evening became cold very quickly. Hopefully spring will have arrived by next week, but the midges can stay away a bit longer!