Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Findings one's niche in the NW of Gigha (by Royal Appointment).

We slipped into Wast Tarbert Bay where the sandy beaches of Camas Naireach (modest bay) lie under the rocky slopes of Creag Bhan which despite being only 100m above sea level is the highest point on Gigha. We met several other otters here and you can see a couple of seals trailing Ian.

At the NE end of Camas Naireach we found this remarkable tertiary dolerite dyke. This is the side view and...

This is the end on view.

Our journey north took us into the recess formed by the tombolo beach that has formed between Eilean Garbh and the mainland of Gigha.

It is a very beautiful spot, favoured by HM the Queen on her visits to the Western Isles on the Royal Yacht Britannia and latterly on the charter MV Hebridean Princess.

It is a hauntingly beatiful spot and the...

...north side of the beach is if anything even more beautiful whichever...

...way you look.

It was with some reluctance that we dragged ourselves away from the north beach. Talking of dragging...rumour has it that somewhere on Gigha a Royal changing box on wheels is in storage awaiting being dragged down to the beach for the next visit by Her Majesty to this wonderful spot.

Anyway, we returned to the south beach with our IKEA bags which...

...we filled with driftwood for the fire once we arrived back on Cara.

It really was a marvellous spot but the day was pressing on so we set off...

...round Eilean Garbh but landed again at...

...tiny Port Cuil (niche port) where we...

...gathered more firewood and looked for Groatie Buckies (cowrie shells).

As it was such a grey day it did not bring out the turquoise in the water, neither could we see the Paps of Jura. However nothing could detract from the beauty of our situation.

4 comments:

  1. Douglas, "hauntingly beautiful" clearly describes just about every niche, nook, and cranny there. :) Warm wishes from us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Duncan. Ian and I were regretting we had not been able to have yourself and Joan along on your first sea kayak camping trip in Scotland. I do hope we will be able to remedy that :o)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Douglas, I have never been to Gigha. I always thought that being low lying it did not have the attraction of the islands further north. I read your recent article in Ocean Paddler and the great photos in the sunshine made me want to go. Although you were not blessed by sun this time your photos have convinced me and I will yet again be following in your wake. All the best Chris

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Chris, thank you, I hope you have a great visit to Gigha I am sure you will really enjoy it, especially if you go in lobster season!!!
    Douglas :o)

    ReplyDelete