Loch Lomond - Sea of Islands

The Low Road

Wednesday 31st December 

David may have been basking in the sun on the hills above, but Andy and Bill were rather chilly as they pottered about in their open canoes around the Luss islands.

Andy the floater, paddled through the moored boats.

Strange sight on a misty day!

Bill was matched stroke for stroke by his mirror. 

Paddling up Luss Water was a diversion, it's not very deep or fast flowing, but interesting all the same.

Fortified with take away coffee, and posing for tourist cameras off the Luss pier, the 'boys' took off for the islands.

The forecast warm sunshine didn't break through the cloud, however it was photogenic!

It was to be a day of 'jacket on, jacket off' for Andy, he really should carry a bit more body weight to keep him warm.

A bed of reeds shows how shallow parts of the channel are.

Bill created barely a ripple, if it wasn't for his colourful drysuit it could been a black and white picture, the light gave muted colours.

On Inchtavannach, a Fallow Deer seemed unconcerned as the boats slid silently by.

Would it be possible to get a closer picture?

The quarry didn't seem the least bit bothered.

Andy, a member of the SBS, decided to stalk the beast on foot.....

Don't give up your day job Andy!

Shortly after his pic, the deer took off in two bounds!

Inchgalbraith with it's ruined castle was circumnavigated before lunch on the beach at Inchmoan.

Its a braw beach, even on a cold December day.

Andy had chilled down, and was desperate for a heat!

He found a novel way of keeping warm after lunch.

Spiderman dropped by to share in the fun. 

Exploring after lunch, a hidden pool deep within the reeds was found; totally silent and rather eerie, not a place to linger long!

It's a short hop out to this group of islands and in most weather conditions perfectly safe as shelter is never far away, perfect off season, but give a wide berth in summer, it's mega busy.

Bill couldn't help but show off on the return to Luss, he'll fall in one day; Guaranteed!

Cruach Ardrain - Sea of Islands

The High Road

Wednesday 31st December

David had decided to escape on the last day of 2008.

His chosen path was up the 'normal' Grey Height route.

Thick, cold, clammy mist gave no hint of the treat in store.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful day, with extensive views in every direction.

How do you capture such a day?

To the North lay Breadalbane.

It was an amazing scene.

The ridge to Beinn Tulaichean held back a wall of mist which boiled up then ebbed back.

Looking South West toward Arrochar, it was difficult identifying the jumble of peaks.

The hills in the foreground are Beinn a' Chroin and An Caisteal

The clarity was stunning

Ben Nevis was unmistakable

Poor wee Beinn Bhuidhe in Argyll looks all alone!

Cruachan seemed a long way off

Nearer to hand, Ben More and Stob Binnein were suprisingly snow free.

David wasn't alone for long - other lucky folk also enjoyed the sparkling day

Tulaichean's ridge which had held back the mist earlier on, was lightly caressed by a flowing river of cloud
A day of stunning summit views.

David was one lucky guy!

Contrast the weather in the glens below.

Little Cumbrae Circumnavigation

Sea Kayak to Little Cumbrae

Saturday 6th December

The Moray Club water babies haven't just discovered

open canoeing,

they've also sampled the pleasures of sea kayaking, with DCKC.

We launched  at a rocky inlet next to Portencross Castle under cloudless winter skies of intense blue.

The view to Arran's snowy peaks was stunning.

We were soon rounding the southern end of

Little Cumbrae island.

The island's south tip is called Gull Point.

That explains all the gulls then.......!

Heading north, up the east side, we were delighted to find conditions improving, the sea state became flat calm. The paddle towards Millport was really attractive.

You can see Bill has chased all the locals and visitors off the main street in his bright yellow drysuit and blue spraydeck.

After lunch in the balmy warm sunshine on Millport's front, we set off in mirror conditions.

We were certainly well tanned, crossing The Tan!

(it's the name of the sound seperating

Great & Little Cumbrae)

Ailsa Craig floated and shimmered in the distance.

This short video shows how good the weather was and how much fun we had.

...and the cameraman didn't capsize!

Note that there are no pictures of the massive Hunterston Ore Terminal or the Nuclear power station on the mainland.

They were easy to ignore today as the views seaward kept drawing the eye.

We approached our take out at Portencross Castle which basked in the late afternoon light.

Soon be time for another wee cup of tea!

We had a magnificent day out,

totally unexpected for December.

It was a short day of 10 miles, but what a cracker!

River Leven by Open Canoe

Balloch to the Clyde

by Open Canoe

Saturday 29th November

We launched from the beach at Drumkinnon Bay beside the Maid of the Loch.With the backdrop of the snow covered Luss hills and the low angled November sun Loch Lomond was 'bonnie'.

There were four boats from the DCKC, Andy and Bill sharing one of the club's new Venture Canoes.

Making our way down the River Leven at Balloch, we had to portage around the barrage, fortunately many helping hands make light work.

The River Leven in past centuries was industrialised with printing and dye works.

It did run red with poisonous chemicals, but the fast-flowing river quickly moved them on, and cleansed the river bed. Thankfully all pollutants are long gone and water quality has improved from the open sewer it must have been.

There are still a lot of houses and industries lining the banks.

You can see that Andy & Bill have both been shopping at the same shop! - LOMO of Glasgow.

The river was running high and the minor playspots were washed out.

However this was an unexpected beauty!

Apparantly a pipe on the river bed causes this wee stopper, it certainly was 'grippy' and you had to make sure that you were in control or a wee swim would have ensued.

We made quick progress, apparantly the Leven is Scotland's second fastest-flowing river (after the River Spey)  Our lunch spot was quite peaceful given the fact we were in the middle of Alexandria and Bonhill.

Donald provided the entertainment........

Song from the Paddle anyone;

 How about

Dueling Banjos

We passed by the giant Ballantines building and were soon on a pretty stretch near Renton.

In places you could forget that you were in the Vale of Leven.

The escarpment in the picture is Lang Craigs on the Kilpatrick Hills above Dumbarton.

Thr River Leven is a famous and popular river for trout and salmon, the local fishermen would be blazing mad if they knew that this seal was here!

It was an odd feeling canoeing through a town.

The river banks are neatly manicured.

Passing the Dumbarton boatyards we canoed over some sunken boats.

Dumbarton Rock is where we join the River Clyde and pick our exit spot.

Climbers gave us a cheery wave, and no, it wasn't a two fingered one......

Second lunch spot was the castle car park.

Do you wonder why the general public make a wide berth when they see us on dry land.

The Clyde was on an ebb tide, but it was nothing compared to the speed of the water in the River Leven.

The light was starting to fade, so after looking at the deep channel markers, we made our way back to Dumbarton and luckily found a not too muddy exit point.

It was about a 3.5 hour trip from start to finish, and this included 2 lunch stops!

The open canoes are good fun.

Andy & Bill are saving their pocket money, they've heard the siren call that draws people to the water in their open canoe.