Moray Club: Raasay Sea Kayak - Eyre Point to Hallaig

Tuesday

Raasay Sea Kayak - Eyre Point to Hallaig

Exploring Raasay's inaccessible East Coast
Saturday 23rd April

We had an easy paddle across the Caol Mor with frequent stops to look around at the fantastic mountain scenery. The Quiraing to the north west, Dun Caan on Rassay in front of us and the Skye hills of Glamaig and Beinn Dearg Mhor as a backdrop to the south.

We headed east along the Raasay shore, and had to investigate a prominent building which appeared to have a glass front. The owner is an artist and has chosen to have his studio facing south toward the Skye hills. We chatted for a few minutes with him (ship to shore shouting!).

We thought his fish sculpture was fab and perfectly placed.

We reached Eyre Point as the tide turned, and as is usual at headlands the water was more lively.

Around Eyre Point there is flat ground and there are a few houses along the foreshore. One is a holiday home for hire if anyone is interested!
Ian & Elizabeth had a race to see who could round the point first.....

Elizabeth had such a heavily laden boat we thought she might submerge. Must be all the wine.

Bill had a determined look, was it hunger or seeking a comfort spot that drove him on?

We headed up the east coast. There was a feeling of exploration, not knowing quite what to expect, despite having done research.

Elizabeth was our 'hare' - the greyhound boys snapping at her heels........aye, right!

We stayed as a tight group, and despite appearances, we weren't racing each other.

This stretch of coastline has lots of historical interest. It was here in the early 1920's, some crofting families landed, having been evicted from Rona. They took land to live on and were subsequently arrested. However, public support demanded that they were released and allowed to return to Raasay where they became known as the Rona Raiders. This led to the acquisition of both Rona and Raasay from their private landlord by the British Government.

The township of North Fearns perches on the hillside of Beinn na Leac.

The east coast rises quickly the further north you travel up the east coast of Raasay - and there aren't too many landing spots.

We tucked ourselves into the very sheltered Hallaig Bay for second breakfast.

A boulder beach is not the easiest of landings, especially in a fully laden composite boat!
Bill was very concerned, as he'd already spent time repairing a missing chunk on his Alaw Bach's nose!