28th September : Eilean Shona
The last club paddle of the season was scheduled for the weekend of 27/28th September and the venue was to be either Inverie or a circumnavigation of Eilean Shona. In the event the weather dictated the date and Eilean Shona (an old club favourite) was chosen as the venue.
After a Saturday of wind and heavy rain Sunday 28th dawned calm but promising early heavy showers one of which greeted the six paddlers as they gathered at Salalaman beach by Glenuig. Launching at high tide was easy and the group was soon heading out past Samalaman Island and round Rubha Ghead a Leighe where some swell was breaking against the rocks. Paddling against a light breeze they were soon passing Barramore on Shona and turning into the more sheltered North Channel and on to first lunch stop at Egnaig where the remains of a deserted village and graveyard are to be found. Sadly, no butterflies to be seen, but some very friendly dragonflies joined their gathering. The paddlers didn’t stop long as the channel dries out at its narrowest point, and it is not a place to be stuck trying to pull a boat through the thick gloopy mud! Turning the corner at the eastern end of Shona Beag the tide was with the paddlers as they passed Riska Island and Castle Tioram on a mirror calm sea then on to the southern shore of Eilean Shona catching a glimpse of Shona House through the trees. They were also treated to a sighting of two sea eagles soaring high above the islands.
It wasn’t long until they reached second lunch stop at the beautiful white sandy beach at Shoe Bay off Aonach on the southwest corner of the island. By the time the group set off on the last leg back to Samalaman the wind had dropped down to next to nothing. The views over to Eigg and Rum and the Cuillins on Skye opened up and were stunning! Rounding Rubha Ghead a Leighe they were met by more wonderful views, this time to the islands of inner Loch Ailort and the Roshven Hills .
What a way to end the season! Big thankyou to the paddlers.
Distance paddled: 21.05km (exactly!)
Cake: banana and Chocolate
Paddlers : Joan, Sheila, Bill & Elvire, Gill & Arthur
