From Brodick round Arran, Firth of Clyde, a 93km 4 day/3 night paddle, April 2011.
Day 1, Sannox Bay
A tale of three harbours and some ferrous sheep on Arran
The lack of a saw was like a millstone round our necks.
Eking out a living and doing their pan in, on the north shore.
Day 2, Cock of Arran.
Away with the fairies and an unconformity on Arran!
The "castles" of Loch Ranza.
An early
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Firth of Clyde. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Firth of Clyde. Tampilkan semua postingan
An effective navigational strategy for the Arran crossing.
The sails had driven us so quickly that we very nearly made the earlier ferry back to Ardrossan. The ferry attracted our attention because (unusually) it gave several blasts on its horn. It was being trailed by a noisy tribe of jet skis riding its wake. Every so often one of the bolder ones would skillfully cut across the ferry's bow, under the admiring gazes of the many passengers crowding the
Sammy the Otter slumbers at sea.
We left Lamlash Bay at Clauchlands Point.
The coastline became more mountainous the further north we travelled along Arran's east coast. We drifted in the peace of this wild place.
We were not the only ones enjoying the peace. We came across our old friend, Sammy the Otter, having a quick nap!
"What's that?"
"Cripes, two of the ugliest sea kayakers I have ever seen!"
The coastline became more mountainous the further north we travelled along Arran's east coast. We drifted in the peace of this wild place.
We were not the only ones enjoying the peace. We came across our old friend, Sammy the Otter, having a quick nap!
"What's that?"
"Cripes, two of the ugliest sea kayakers I have ever seen!"
Sailing into the lee of Holy Island by sea kayak.
From Kingscross Point we crosssed the southern entrance of Lamlash Bay to the south end of Holy Island.
The brisk crossing was rewarded with a wonderful view from the Holy Island inner light into Lamlash Bay and the Arran mountains beyond. Since 2008 the north part of Lamlash Bay has been a protected marine reserve with a complete ban on commercial and recreational fishing. The great news is
The brisk crossing was rewarded with a wonderful view from the Holy Island inner light into Lamlash Bay and the Arran mountains beyond. Since 2008 the north part of Lamlash Bay has been a protected marine reserve with a complete ban on commercial and recreational fishing. The great news is
By paddle, sail and oar across Whiting Bay.
We now entered Whiting Bay and caught our first sign of the eponymous village, below the heights of Goatfell.
A large sea wall protects the attractive villas and just before we arrived it had been put to good use. The wake of the Troon to Larne had been crashing into it.
We continued to speed on our way under sail and..
...landed near Kingscross Point at the north end of Whiting Bay for...
..
A large sea wall protects the attractive villas and just before we arrived it had been put to good use. The wake of the Troon to Larne had been crashing into it.
We continued to speed on our way under sail and..
...landed near Kingscross Point at the north end of Whiting Bay for...
..
A big cave and big appetites at Kildonan, Arran
From the sadly deserted beach at Cleit Shore we sped past huge boulder beaches until a dramatic change in the landscape announced our arrival at Bennan Head, which marks the southern tip of Arran.
Just offshore lies Pladda which is the second biggest of Arran's three satellite isles: Holy Island, then Pladda, then tiny Hamilton Isle.
We were sailing and paddling at 9-10km per hour and David
Just offshore lies Pladda which is the second biggest of Arran's three satellite isles: Holy Island, then Pladda, then tiny Hamilton Isle.
We were sailing and paddling at 9-10km per hour and David
A distinct lack of nudists at Cleits Shore.
The SW shore of Arran is superficially less dramatic than its neighbours. A boulder beach is backed by a raised beach which in turn is backed by a line of now dry wave cut cliffs. However, a series of basalt dykes run out to sea for distances of up to a kilometre from the shore.
They are particularly prominent in the region of the Cleits Shore, where they extend for a considerable distance,
They are particularly prominent in the region of the Cleits Shore, where they extend for a considerable distance,
False impressions at Blackwaterfoot.
Back on the water, we set off on the third day of our circumnavigation of Arran. We caught our first glimpse of Ailsa Craig as we rounded Drumadoon Point. Mist was curling off the Craig's summit, giving the impression that it was still an active volcano.
The point was also a turning point as far as our sailing was concerned. We set off for Blackwaterfoot on a beam reach and were to continue
The point was also a turning point as far as our sailing was concerned. We set off for Blackwaterfoot on a beam reach and were to continue
Up and doon the Doon, before breakfast!
The third day of our round Arran trip dawned grey but dry. We had camped beneath a dramatic tertiary sill called the Doon.
Over a cup of fresh brewed coffee...
...David suggested trying to get to the top. The volcanic sill had been used as an Iron Age fort more than 2,000 years ago. Today its only inhabitants were fulmars, which were nesting high on its inaccessible ledges.
We cut across
Over a cup of fresh brewed coffee...
...David suggested trying to get to the top. The volcanic sill had been used as an Iron Age fort more than 2,000 years ago. Today its only inhabitants were fulmars, which were nesting high on its inaccessible ledges.
We cut across
If it was good enough for a Royal to kip down, it'll be good enough for us!
By the time we arrived at Dougarie estate boathouse, it was 18:25 and pouring with rain.
We continued south and thankfully the rain stopped an hour later.
We now set across the broad expanse of Machrie Bay. We were bound for the headland below Torr Righ Mor, still some 6km distant.
As we approached the headland, the setting sun lit it in a last blaze of sunshine.
From the rocks below Torr
We continued south and thankfully the rain stopped an hour later.
We now set across the broad expanse of Machrie Bay. We were bound for the headland below Torr Righ Mor, still some 6km distant.
As we approached the headland, the setting sun lit it in a last blaze of sunshine.
From the rocks below Torr
Raised beaches and a raised graveyard on Arran's west coast.
Once we had left Catacol, our view to the south was obscured by Rhuba Airigh Bheirig.
Past the headland, the view of the Kilbrannan Sound opened up and the Mull of Kintyre...
...stretched away to the south. The coastline near Leninmore is very rocky but low tide revealed some lovely sand.
Behind every possible landing beach on this stretch of coast, you will find a cluster of cottages built on
Past the headland, the view of the Kilbrannan Sound opened up and the Mull of Kintyre...
...stretched away to the south. The coastline near Leninmore is very rocky but low tide revealed some lovely sand.
Behind every possible landing beach on this stretch of coast, you will find a cluster of cottages built on
An early supper with the Twelve Apostles
Upon leaving Loch Ranza, a pesky head wind got up and as we were by now getting hungry (it was past midday)...
...we were delighted to come across the Catacol Bay Hotel. It enjoys a magnificent situation under Meall nan Damh (570m) but it looked a bit run down. However we were cold and hungry...
...so we landed on the awkward stony beach and made our way up to the hotel.
The welcome was warm,
...we were delighted to come across the Catacol Bay Hotel. It enjoys a magnificent situation under Meall nan Damh (570m) but it looked a bit run down. However we were cold and hungry...
...so we landed on the awkward stony beach and made our way up to the hotel.
The welcome was warm,
The "castles" of Loch Ranza.
We paddled into Loch Ranza on the NW tip of Arran. The ferry from Claonaig Kintyre, the MV Loch Tarbert was just arriving at the village of Lochranza.
We paddled into the loch, captivated by the sight...
...of the jagged rocky ridges of Caisteal Abhail (859m), "the castle of the fork".
Down at sea level, the grim walls of Lochranza Castle...
...were topped by the jagged outlines of long
We paddled into the loch, captivated by the sight...
...of the jagged rocky ridges of Caisteal Abhail (859m), "the castle of the fork".
Down at sea level, the grim walls of Lochranza Castle...
...were topped by the jagged outlines of long
Away with the fairies and an unconformity on Arran!
Ahead of us, the Cock of Arran suddenly emerged into the sunshine from the thick mist of early morning.
All was grey looking back along the north shore of Arran.
High above us, the mountains were still wreathed in mist.
We now paddling west past beaches dominated by giant boulders.
This part of Arran is known as Fairy Dell.
It was seen as the entrance to another World, a World inhabited by
All was grey looking back along the north shore of Arran.
High above us, the mountains were still wreathed in mist.
We now paddling west past beaches dominated by giant boulders.
This part of Arran is known as Fairy Dell.
It was seen as the entrance to another World, a World inhabited by
Eking out a living and doing their pan in, on the north shore.
The day dawned misty but still on the north shore of Arran.
We had camped on the hillside above the beach. The banks of this stream were bursting with primroses.
We soon broke camp and proceeded along the wild coast. On the north facing slopes above us, we could just make out runrigs, a sign of ancient cultivation.
We came to Laggan Cottage which is a locked bothy belonging to the North Arran
We had camped on the hillside above the beach. The banks of this stream were bursting with primroses.
We soon broke camp and proceeded along the wild coast. On the north facing slopes above us, we could just make out runrigs, a sign of ancient cultivation.
We came to Laggan Cottage which is a locked bothy belonging to the North Arran
The lack of a saw was like a millstone round our necks.
After leaving Sannox we set off along the wild north coast of Arran. There are no roads and only a rough footpath gives land access here.
We passed below the Fallen Rocks, which is a site of a relatively recent landslide of Upper Old Red Sandstone conglomerate blocks.
We arrived at the appropriately named Millstone Point. There was a quarry for millstones above the beach.
The sun had set by
We passed below the Fallen Rocks, which is a site of a relatively recent landslide of Upper Old Red Sandstone conglomerate blocks.
We arrived at the appropriately named Millstone Point. There was a quarry for millstones above the beach.
The sun had set by
A tale of three harbours and some ferrous sheep on Arran
In Mid April David and I caught the midday ferry to Arran. As we approached Brodick the mountains were cloaked in low mist.
We trollied the kayaks off the ferry and were prepared to launch almost as soon as the MV Caledonian Isles had cleared her jetty.
We planned an anticlockwise circumnavigation of Arran, a distance of about 90km. A southerly breeze began to clear the mist from the mountains
We trollied the kayaks off the ferry and were prepared to launch almost as soon as the MV Caledonian Isles had cleared her jetty.
We planned an anticlockwise circumnavigation of Arran, a distance of about 90km. A southerly breeze began to clear the mist from the mountains
Little Cumbrae sunset.
We met at Portencross at 730pm......and formulated a quick plan to paddle round Little Cumbrae Island.
We set the controls...
...for the heart of...
...the sun.
As we crossed to Gull Point it slowly sank in the west, turning from orange to red.
On our return, our way was lit by the glow of Hunterston nuclear power station. Fortunately Harvey was with us and as he works there, we assumed
We set the controls...
...for the heart of...
...the sun.
As we crossed to Gull Point it slowly sank in the west, turning from orange to red.
On our return, our way was lit by the glow of Hunterston nuclear power station. Fortunately Harvey was with us and as he works there, we assumed
A quick shag on Ailsa Craig.
It was now time to paddle round Ailsa Craig. We had arranged to meet Alan and Linda from the Castle Craig Kayak Club. We set off anticlockwise, past the walkway round to the north foghorn and quarry.
We emerged from the darkness under the cliffs of Eagle's Seat...
...followed by this grey seal. "Look at the eyebrows on that!"
Jim was delighted with how the borrowed Taran performed, responding
We emerged from the darkness under the cliffs of Eagle's Seat...
...followed by this grey seal. "Look at the eyebrows on that!"
Jim was delighted with how the borrowed Taran performed, responding
A great bellowing on Ailsa Craig.
We heard the bellowing long before we came to the south foghorn on Ailsa Craig.
It obviously wasn't coming from the foghorn as it has been silent since 1966. We passed a row of nine massive but rusting compressed air tanks that provided the "oomph" for the horn. They were supplied by a 2.5" inch pipe that ran 700m from the compressor in the gasworks round to the south of the island.
The air
It obviously wasn't coming from the foghorn as it has been silent since 1966. We passed a row of nine massive but rusting compressed air tanks that provided the "oomph" for the horn. They were supplied by a 2.5" inch pipe that ran 700m from the compressor in the gasworks round to the south of the island.
The air
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)