Sept 19/20th 2020
The forecast was pretty
good for the weekend but Monday was going to be a sudden southerly F4, so the
plan to paddle across the Minch was squeezed out (and maybe by the early morning
tidal start). We had another alternative as the Small Isles but two days didn’t
seem to do them justice. So we settled
on a trip around the Point of Ardnamurchan which includes the most westerly
mainland lighthouse in the UK. We (“the
team”) were Martyn T and myself. Small
& organised and able to simply get on with it !
Anyway – Saturday morning saw us move a car to Ardtoe on the northern flank of the peninsula and then pack the camping gear into the kayaks at Salen slipway. The weather was fantastic and so the paddling was straight forward with just a hint of assistive flow westwards. At some stage we spotted a Golden Eagle soaring at the cliff top but otherwise it was just a few solitary seals checking us out.
Lunch was a brief stop
next to Mingary Castle which is a 13th century vertical sided
fortress on the sea edge that has been restored in to some sort of bijou hotel
by the Estate. Looks pretty smart on the
outside but it’s lacking a sweep of coral sand (the foreshore is all boulders!). On westwards past Kilchoan and the proper expanse
of Mull becomes obvious to the south.
Rounding northwards we
were still in flat calm conditions with a breath of wind. The Stevenson designed lighthouse at
Ardnamurchan Point comes into view quite suddenly with its bull horn clearly
visible on the end of the land mass.
And so we looked for a
suitable campsite at the far end of Sanna bay – lots of walkers and so folk
about but we ended up on small patch a
good walk up the shallow gradient beach (long boat carry). The view was grand from here including the
lighthouse and the sun dipping below the horizon. The tidal range (springs) was also impressive
as the 250m of sand disappeared at very quick rate. 38 kms that day.
Relaxed start on the
Sunday around HW and after cleaning up some of the rubbish left by other muppet
campers. Sun was shining again and we
had gorgeous views of Muck, Eigg & Rum; they looked “just” a short paddle
across the sound. A couple of northerly
skerries gave us a chance to dodge some waves but otherwise it was plain
sailing. Elevenses were had on another
steep bouldery inlet. Not many seabirds
around while we paddled – the odd razor bill and some gulls – and again a few
solitary seals checking us out.
Paddled into Ardtoe beach just
before 1pm for a total of 60 kms for the trip.
No hassles, topped up the tan, and all was good – back via the Corran
Ferry. Thanks for the company Martyn.
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