Wednesday, November 24, 2010

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!

Landfall on the golden sands of Sannox.

Guaranteed seal sighting at Corrie, or your money back!

A dream of the otter and the mountain.

Photo album map.

Sea of tranquility in Loch Eil.

Last Sunday Jim and I left Glasgow at 6am. We were bound for the head of Loch Eil which is deep within the mountains of Lochaber. We dropped one car off (as our shuttle) on the shores of Loch Linnhe, just north of the Corran Narrows.

Not a breath of wind disturbed the waters of Loch Eil and to the west, the mountains above Glen Finnan were perfectly reflected on the calm water. From left they are: Beinn an Tuim 810m, Meall an Uillt Chaoil 844m, Stob Coire nan Cearc 887m and on the extreme right, Streap 909m.

There is a long passing place, suitable for parking, on the single track road just above a large rock on the beach. In the distance, Ben Nevis 1344m was lost in thick cloud.

If this old lifeboat is moored offshore and is a pretty unmissable guide that you have arrived at the correct spot.
We soon had the kayaks on the beach ready to go.

The waters of Loch Eil are a long way from the open sea and not a hint of swell reached the upper recesses of the loch. We set off on a tranquil sea.