A 26km paddle from Port Ellen to Kintra round the Mull of Oa Islay early March 2010.
Tidal streams 200m off the Oa peninsula at spring tides run at 4-5knots:
NW going flood begins HW Dover (11:31 on the day) overfalls off Rubha nan Leacan
SE going ebb begins -0610 HW Dover overfalls off Mull of Oa
However, we found that close inshore, the NW stream begins at least -0100 HW Dover.
A bottle nose dolphin off Sgeirean Buidhe.
Bottle nose dolphins
Soldier's Rock.
This was a day trip from Glasgow, made possible by a temporary late evening sailing from Port Askaig. I do not normally make such a rigid timetable but given the distances, ferry times and tide times it was essential. As it happened, we arrived at Kintra at 15:45 and used a taxi to recover the car. What a day!
I have mentioned both before but two really excellent sources of information on Islay are:
Armin's Islay Blog
Ron's Islay Weblog
This was the tidal atlas, marked up with the times for the day. We were there 2 days before springs.
Day return to Islay, please.
The most southern point of the Hebrides.
Oa what a beautiful morning, Oa what a beautiful day!
The SE coast of the Mull of Oa, Islay
The point of no return, Rubha an Leacan to Gob an Rubha Dhuibh, Oa, Islay
Sea kayaking with dolphins at the Mull of Oa
Going with the flow, round the Mull of Oa!
A glimpse of distant white shell sand promised a break.
Oa what a paradise!
The most southerly Gargoyles in all of the Hebrides
Oa speak no evil
Threading the Oa of a needle
All hail Soldier's Rock, Islay
What a geo on Oa!
End of an Islay day.
Oa, I'm so sorry about all the dreadfull puns.
Photo album map.