The stop on Bute was cold despite the winter sun. It was a relief to start the 10.6km crossing of the Sound of Bute to Sannox on Arran. Pogies helped keep our hands warm. The thermometer on my radio didn't go above -2C all day.
We left Bute in very calm conditions and a little sprinting soon had us warm again.
It was a very companionable crossing and the mountainouus backdrop was its usual
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Making light work of a huge volume of melt and a small volume of malt.
It did not take long to reach the Little (Wee) Cumbrae from Portencross. One of the first Scottish light beacons to warn shipping is situated on the summit of the island. It is a simple round tower, 8.5m high, which...
... was built by James Ewing in 1757. An open coal brazier was situated at its top and served as the source of light. It proved to be a profitable business as there was a tax on
... was built by James Ewing in 1757. An open coal brazier was situated at its top and served as the source of light. It proved to be a profitable business as there was a tax on
A new dawn on a favourite paddle.
On Sunday we went for one of our favourite local paddles. We met in darkness at Ardrossan ferry terminal where we left shuttle cars. We then drove north to Portencross as the sun was coming up.
It was low water at Portencross, where we met the Castle Craig Kayaking Club who were planning a similar trip. At low tide this is one of the most awkward launches on the Ayrshire coast. An alternative
It was low water at Portencross, where we met the Castle Craig Kayaking Club who were planning a similar trip. At low tide this is one of the most awkward launches on the Ayrshire coast. An alternative
Glen Sannox, Arran from Portencross, Ayrshire
A 31km day trip from Portencross to Glen Sannox on Arran and back via Brodick and the Arran ferry.
HMS Dragon was on sea trials in the Sound of Bute as we crossed...
...towards the magnificent vista of the Glen Sannox mountains.
There be dragons at the end of rainbows in the Clyde!
Clyde ore, prawns and peninsulas.
Making the most of short winter days.
This dragon does not belch smoke!
HMS Dragon was on sea trials in the Sound of Bute as we crossed...
...towards the magnificent vista of the Glen Sannox mountains.
There be dragons at the end of rainbows in the Clyde!
Clyde ore, prawns and peninsulas.
Making the most of short winter days.
This dragon does not belch smoke!
This dragon does not belch smoke!
Leaving Garroch Head, we now started to cross the Sound of Bute which separates Bute from Arran.
HMS Dragon seemed to be practicing holding position under the mountainous backdrop of Arran, perhaps she has geostationary capabilities.
The tides off Garroch Head can create some lumpy conditions but as it was in the last hour of the flood, the water was pretty flat.
As we slowly approached HMS
HMS Dragon seemed to be practicing holding position under the mountainous backdrop of Arran, perhaps she has geostationary capabilities.
The tides off Garroch Head can create some lumpy conditions but as it was in the last hour of the flood, the water was pretty flat.
As we slowly approached HMS
Making the most of short winter days.
The Firth of Clyde channel is a busy shipping lane, in the past we have met RN nuclear submarines, RN frigates, RFA supply ships, tugs, tankers and bulk carriers here. It was a relief to land safely on Port Leithne on Bute for first luncheon.
One by one we came into land. In the distance the bulk carrier Grace Future continued down the Firth of Clyde and the Polish tug Cyklops made her way up
One by one we came into land. In the distance the bulk carrier Grace Future continued down the Firth of Clyde and the Polish tug Cyklops made her way up
Clyde ore, prawns and peninsulas.
We set off across the Hunterston Channel for the Little Cumbrae. To our right a huge 225m bulk carrier, Grace Future, had just pulled away from the Hunterston ore terminal. We crossed well in front of it and soon came across the Campbeltown creel boat...
...Silver Spray III, lifting her pots on the far side of the channel.
We paddled past the southern tip of Little Cumbrae, we were bound for
...Silver Spray III, lifting her pots on the far side of the channel.
We paddled past the southern tip of Little Cumbrae, we were bound for
There be dragons at the end of rainbows in the Clyde!
We arrived at Ardrossan ferry terminal at dawn. The low sun was just lighting the mountain tops of Arran. We left two cars here and the four of us drove north to Portencross in my car with the sea kayaks on the trailer.
Heavy clouds and rain were blotting out the landscape but just as we were about to be enveloped in wet greyness, a rainbow appeared.
The new type 45 frigate HMS Dragon appeared
Heavy clouds and rain were blotting out the landscape but just as we were about to be enveloped in wet greyness, a rainbow appeared.
The new type 45 frigate HMS Dragon appeared
An oasis of refreshment and welcome at Colintraive
The Kyles of Bute between the Cowal peninsula and the island of Bute are great sea kayaking waters.The icing on the cake is the Colintraive Hotel which is just beside the ferry terminal on the Cowal side. I first visited this oasis of refreshment on a yacht in 1977. Last September we returned to see if the years had been kind to it.Just inside, there was an impressive menu on the wall. Sadly due
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