Mallaig & District Canoe Club

July 2024

Sandaig (not Muck!) Tuesday 9th July

One of the notional paddles (no date assigned) included on the club calendar was a circumnavigation of the isle of Muck taking the ferry out from Mallaig.  Of necessity such a trip has to be at short notice due to needing good weather.  Having chosen the dates 9-11th July we were delighted that the forecast seemed to be in our favour!  However the weather Gods had other ideas and two days prior to departure the forecast for Muck  was for F5/6/7 winds from the north and heavy rain….not an inviting prospect!  So, ferry tickets cancelled and a quick email round it was decided to do a one-day paddle to Sandaig on the north shore of Loch Nevis. 

The weather in Mallaig as we launched from the slip by the boardwalk was perfect with clear blue skies and light winds.  Hard to believe it was so bad on Muck!!

After 6km leisurely paddling we took out at the beach behind Eilean Giubhais for first lunch before crossing the loch which was busy with yachts and small motorboats, to Rubha Raonuill.  On this crossing we were lucky enough to spot a couple of porpoises heading up towards Inverie.  From the point a further 3km took us past two or three lovely sandy beaches to Sandaig bay where the tide was well out.  Two paddlers took the brave decision to go for a swim while the others went for a stroll to have a look at the two houses that overlook the bay.  Having met and chatted to the two owners of the properties it was time for second lunch and getting back on the water.  By this time the blue skies had disappeared behind a veil of cloud and the wind had started to freshen.  The plan was to paddle round Eilean Dearg and over to Glas Eilean (The Green Island) to see the seabirds.  However, there were young seal pups on the rocks of Eilean Dearg so in order not to disturb them we paddled over to Glas Eilean into the rising wind and waves.  Disappointed to see only a large group of cormorants which flew off the island and settled in the choppy waters of the loch, we set a course for Mallaig Mhor then Mallaig Bheag with the winds easing and the sea calming.  Landing once again at the slip boats were soon emptied and safely loaded on to roof bars before we all headed homewards.

It might not have been Muck, but Muck is not going anywhere and plans are in place for the next weather window ….bring it on! 

Paddlers:  Joan, Sheila, Iain, Ruth, Bill & Elvire and Peter S.

Distance paddled 18.5km

Saturday 27th July – Arisaig Skerries and Barbecue

This was one of those summer days when coastal Lochaber seemed intent on showcasing all its finest features. The sun made an appearance, the wind did little to upset the sea, the small isles looked majestic, and the midges were enjoying a lie-in. A perfect day for a leisurely paddle around Loch nan Ceall, beginning and ending in Arisaig. Eight Club members set-off just before a mid-morning high-water, to ensure that they had sufficient water to get through the tidal channel between the Keppoch and Eilean Ighe. A leisurely pace was adopted; the boats gliding smoothly through unruffled water giving the paddlers tantalising glimpses to the seabed through swaying forests of bladderwrack; magical. A pull in on the sand beach at Gortenachullish, looking north towards Skye, was an ideal venue for a “first lunch.” The conditions were so good that the team decided to change slightly from their advertised route to explore the west shore of Eilean Ighe. Lazy swells surging over the rocks and reefs gave a very enjoyable interlude to the sheltered waters inside the Skerries. Talk then turned to the question of where amongst the islets the best beach would be found for the much needed “second lunch”. High water meant that there was a severe shortage of suitable real estate, and when on a couple of occasions, a suitable patch of sand was spotted it turned out to be already occupied by shore-parties from sailing boats in the south channel. After a looping exploration of the northern skerries, a tiny crescent of white sand was spotted and deemed to be big enough to accommodate 8 kayaks, and a landing was made. Once the party had consumed the rest of their rations it was decided that a B-line should be made back to Arisaig to get the barbecue lit for “lunch three”. Of such days are memories made.

Paddlers: Jerry, Kate, Chris, Gill & Arthur, Bill & Elvire and Peter S.

Distance paddled: about 10 km.