20th – Ardnish

Seven paddlers set off from the beach just west of Alisary on the road between Lochailort and Glenuig on a calm sunny day with a promising forecast.  This was a relief after the wet and windy weather of the past few weeks.  As the forecast was so good, it had been decided to extend the trip to take in a visit to Camas Ghaoideil across Loch nan Uamh on the Rhu peninsula. After crossing Loch Ailort, the group paddled behind Eilean Buidhe on the outgoing tide and followed the shore having a look at the ruins of Peanmeanach and Glasnacardoch before stopping for first lunch (there are always two!) at the beautiful beach known to the club as “The Singing Sands”.  Strangely this lovely stretch of pristine sand is not marked on the OS map.  Here they were lucky enough to spot a beautiful adult sea eagle flying overhead, white tail flashing against the blue sky.  Feeling refreshed the paddlers rounded Rubha Chaolais (Headland of the Strait) and passed the ruins at Sloch before heading northwest to Ghaoideil.  After the 4km crossing and weaving their way through the many island guarding the entrance to Loch Nan Uamh they all landed safely on the steep stony beach beneath the bothy perched precariously atop a cliff.  Another group of kayakers from the east coast was lunching at the bothy, so the paddlers decided to eat on the beach and gather some plastic to take away before setting off to paddle the 6km back to the takeout at the beach below the Glen Mama viaduct.  A great day!

Distance travelled: 17.7km.

Paddlers: Joan, Sheila, Ruth, Iain, Bill Sk, Adrian and Ania