Optimistically billed to be a trip from the south of South Uist to Lochmaddy, weather condtions forced a camp based week on Berneray with day paddles where possible. A wee slideshow from the trip pics so far here. If you have any good pics you would like to send in please email them to me.
Sunday 29 June 2008 Berneray
After arriving the previous day and pitching on the dunes near the Gatcliff Hostel, we launched off the adjacent beach at mid-afternoon, the wind having subsided to more manageable levels. We did a widdershins paddle to just short of the beach below Beinn Shleibhe: the F4 breeze and increasing swell deciding for us that we had come as far as comfort allowed. Paddlers: Mike & Sheila, Bill & Jill, Joe & Ed, EL, TL. 6.5km
Monday 30 June 2008 Loch Mhic Phail
Launched off the beach at 10.25 and headed down to Torosaigh, the island beside the causeway. Quite a tough paddle into the wind and the party got rather strung out. We followed the islands and reefs into Loch Mhic Phail and sought refuge behind a little peninsula for lunch. On the water again, we headed southwards for a kilometer or so, but the freshening wind and forecast of “gales later” made turning round a sensible option and we surfed rapidly back to base via Berneray’s shop. Paddlers: Mike & Sheila, Bill, Jill and Rebecca, Roger, Joe, Ed, Muffin, Chris Carter, EL, TL. 16km
Thursday 3 July 2008 Loch Euphort
Back on the water after two days of rain and high winds. Mike left the Mazda as shuttle car at Lochmaddy and we put in at the pier at the head of the Loch Euphort, about one mile from the main east-west road. The tide was ebbing and it was an easy paddle down the narrow loch, with tidal action providing some play spots in places. We came ashore about 3km from the entrance to the Minch and enjoyed lunch in some very welcome sunshine. Out into the Minch, the calm sea and brilliant sunlight made for a stunning scene. We dawdled northwards, looking at the orange Ascidians hanging from the rocks and little Sea Gooseberry jellyfish. As we gathered in a little bay, a small boat motored over and the ‘sea dog’ at the helm called out that if we went over by the rocks he would attempt to feed a local Sea Eagle by throwing fish for it. Sadly the bird didn’t perform for us – apparently he had fed it earlier in the day. At the entrance to Loch Maddy, the three Americans, Roger and Jill decided to paddle back to the campsite; the rest of us going for a tour of the loch before returning for the shuttle car. We headed over to the north side of the loch and had a break that included some member of the party practicing their paddling party tricks – very entertaining. We went over to look at the Camera Obscura and then landed at the village slipway. After an enjoyable pint at the Loch Maddy Hotel we returned to camp. Paddlers: Mike & Sheila, Bill, Jill and Rebecca, Roger, Joe, Ed, Muffin, Chris Carter, EL, TL. 24km (return to base group did 34km).
Friday 4 July 2008 Sound of Harris
We launched from our campsite beach at 10.00 and headed for Killegray. Conditions were calm as we headed for the island. A heavy shower was followed by a basking shark encounter – only about 3m long but unconcerned by our presence. We followed the west coast of Killegray, then over to Ensay (surprisingly little tidal flow) around it until we landed on the Harris facing shore, near to where “Cairn” and “Standing Stone”were marked on the map. After lunch, we followed Chris on an exploration of the adjacent part of the island. We found the prehistoric standing stone; Ensay House appeared to be inhabited and the nearby chapel was in a fine state of repair. The chapel door was carved by the Mouseman, Robert Thompson. After this most enjoyable stop, we headed over to Harris, with another basker en route. The coast was followed to Leverburgh and after a brief halt we set off across the Sound, roughly following the lines of the ferry buoys. The weather was glorious – sun, blue sky and virtually no wind. Plenty of seabirds and the mournful calls of many seals added to the magical quality of the place. Eventually we turned in the direction of the campsite; the tide now against us and the clear water showing how shallow most of the Sound is. We landed in warm sunshine after a wonderful paddle. Paddlers: Bill, Jill and Rebecca, Roger, Joe, Ed, Muffin, Chris Carter, EL, TL. 28km .
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13-15th June
Handa
We had a f f f …..freezing w/e of it! 10 of us arrived on the Friday night at Scourie campsite and enjoyed the warmth of the on site hostelry. (Sometimes official campsites are a good thing!)
Simon joined us for the day on Saturday, hoping that we were going to paddle round Handa, but sadly that was not to be. The wind was a Force 4 Northerly, so we opted for a circumnavigation of Loch Laxford, which proved lively enough. The sun came out in the afternoon and we enjoyed a relaxed exploration of Loch a’ Chadh-Fi and a look at John Ridgeway’s Adventure School at Ardmore. Then a bracing paddle back to Fanagmore. Allegedly 2 puffins were sighted. Total distance 15km.
We were hoping for better luck on the Sunday. A Northerly 3 was forecast, so we went to try our luck round Handa. |