Ian and I had enjoyed an excellent luncheon on
Camas Sgiotaig at the NW corner of Eigg but it was now time to paddle the remote west and SW coasts of this lovely isle. In the winter this surf beach has dangerous surf breaking for weeks on end. We were keen to move on as we did not want to spend Easter on Eigg. Fortunately a wait was rewarded with a relatively calm spell and we both launched safely.
Although the sun threatened to break through...
...the fog lowered again and we could only see the lower reaches of Eigg. Of the classic view NW to Rum and her Cuillin mountains there was not a trace.
As we paddled across the Bay of Laig, we caught sight of Lageorna, where we had arranged to stay the night.
As we continued the wind dropped to nothing...
...and the only sound was...
...the rumble of the surf breaking...
...along the base of the cliffs.
The rock architecture on this coast of Eigg is superb...
...and the fog added to the atmospheric conditions by...
...lifting like a veil; revealing the splendor bit...
...by bit.
The basalt and pitchstone upper rocks sit on a bed...
...of more ancient sedimentary rocks. Fossilised tropical trees have been found below the edges of this volcanic layer.
We had hoped to see the iconic pitchstone ridge of the Sgurr of Eigg but it remained hidden by the mist.
Our main concern during this change of plan was that we would meet an adverse tide in the Sound of Eigg.
However, despite it being springs, we met no tidal current whatsoever and soon arrived at the old pier of
Glamisdale. As we pulled our kayaks up the jetty we thought we were alone but two youngsters ran down out of the mist. "Are you the Canoe Boys?" "Sue says she is just shutting the shop but she will wait till you get ready and run you up to the B&B!"
