Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The leaving of Inch Kenneth


When the tide finally reached our boats, we reluctantly left the peace of Inch Kenneth. We followed its western shore under weathered conglomerate cliffs. In places they were undercut or penetrated by caves. Elsewhere, the elements had sculptured weird shapes from the rock. A great face of stone looked out over the calm waters of Loch na Keal


As we paddled past little Eorsa, the thunder clouds gathered again. They towered high over the foothills of Ben More on Mull, much as clouds of ash would have done when it was last an active volcano. We were soaked in a torrential downpour before we got back to the cars at Ulva Ferry.


This brought the first chapter of our seakayking trip on Mull's west coast to a close. We may only have paddled 85km over 3 full days but what sights we had seen. We would now follow Johnson and Boswell on to Iona and the Ross of Mull.

Postscript added 14/09/07.

Rob asked about the Grey Man of the Merrick. Here it is:

Rock "faces" such as these are called mimetoliths.

4 comments:

  1. Gday fom Oz!

    I came out here from Scotland 20 years ago and really enjoy your photos of the old country. I particularly like sea kayaking pubs please do not stop!

    With regard to the stone face on Inch Kenneth I have seen another near the Merrick in Galloway Hills. It is called the Grey Man. Have you seen it?

    Rob

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  2. Hi Rob, I have posted a photo of the Grey Man of the Merrick.

    Glad you like Sea Kayaking Pubs. Don't worry! They are set to run for a while yet!
    Cheers,
    :o)

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  3. Hello Douglas,
    Thanks for your comment on my Broken Group post.
    You knew I was going to enjoy this post with the Rock Face reference didn't you!
    I hope your daughter enjoys Vancouver Island. We are still exploring it...
    DSD

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  4. Hi DSD, I will have some more mimetoliths soon. My daughter has been sailing up the NE side of Vancouver Island. She has got as far as Malcom Island.

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