Another west coast sunset

Earlier today....

14/12/2008

Introduction to Hirta, St Kilda.

The morning of 3rd June 2008 dawned with a freshening SW wind blowing across Village Bay on Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago. The forecast was for a force 7 and Murdani, the skipper, of the Cuma said he would like to leave by 14:00.


The Cuma's RIB shuttled us into the jetty on St Kilda as all the other boats left!


We were met by Bill Shaw, the friendly National Trust for Scotland ranger. He explained important Dos and Don'ts for our visit.


It was with some excitement that we ascended the steep stone flags which led up from the jetty..


With Dun in the background, Bill took some group photos before we started our explorations of this extraordinary remote place which has been inhabited for over 3,000 years!.

03/06/2008 am

Paddling with planets.

We launched from the shingle beach at Dunure just as a pink glow appeared behind the cold snowy ridges of Arran. Although the sun had set 15 minutes before, the summit ridge of Goatfell was still catching rays from below the horizon.


We set off for Maidens guided by light from Venus, Jupiter and Turnberry lighthouse. We were surrounded by six other lighthouses: Ailsa Craig, Sanda, Davaar Island, Pladda, Holy Island outer and Lady Isle but the first three were unseen as they were below the horizon like the now departing sun.


As the light faded the horizon darkened from deep orange to blood red.


An hour and fifteen minutes after sunset the horizon still betrayed the long gone sun. Flocks of sea birds swirled out of the darkness on their way out to sea but the slow shutter speed (1/6s) has all but failed to capture them. Ailsa Craig still dominated the land and sea but its bold outline was soon to merge with the darkness above. Far from land, the clear skies gave one of the best views of the Milky Way we have ever seen.


We landed at Maidens two hours after sunset. It was very dark and minus three degrees Celsius but what a fantastic time to be out paddling!

06/12/2008

At the end of the day, in Dunure

We emerged from the Anchorage Bar into the chill of the gathering night.


Our timing was impeccable, the sun was just kissing the horizon to the south west.


David offered to run us back down to Maidens to pick up the car....


....as the golden glow on the horizon grew ever more intense.


Ailsa Craig looked so enticing we decided to paddle back to Maidens, even though we would not arrive until 2 hours after sunset.

06/12/2008

All along the watch tower at Dunure.

Sea kayaking is a strenuous activity, which places many demands on the fitness, nutrition and hydration of participants. The success of a major sea kayaking expedition often depends on the shore based support crew.


Last Sunday David was unable to join us on the water as he was on call for his veterinary surgery. He drove down to Dunure and walked along the cliff path to the old WW2 watch tower. There he kept a concerned eye open for our approach from afar.


As we came round the headland and wended our way through the skerries below, he waved before heading down to the pub to put in the order for the Guinness.


He then helped us carry the kayaks up the beach beyond the two pint mark. Such selfless sacrifice is an essential requisite in any expedition's support crew.

A toast, a toast! Here's to the unsung heroes!

06/12/2008

Ayrshire's gem of a coastline.

We cut across the wide expanse of Culzean Bay. It is backed by the sands of Croy. Behind the shore there is a cliff line with a raised beach behind. This is now rich agricultural land and when the fields are ploughed, many gem hunters follow the plough seeking out agates. These semi precious stones can also be found on the current beach but there most are broken and cracked by wave action.


We landed at the remote north end of Culzean Bay.


What a magnificent spot to enjoy lunch!


This can be an awkward spot to land in surf, with lots of boulders to catch the unwary!


In the clear winter air, it seemed we could nearly reach out and touch the rocky ridges of Arran's snow covered mountains.

06/12/2008

Disembodied heads on the return from Ailsa Craig!

After our exploration of the lonely rock of Ailsa Craig we set off on our return journey in glorious May afternoon sunshine.


It was hot work in the sun as what little wind there was began to die away as Ailsa Craig began to grow smaller on the western horizon.


By the time we were approaching Lendalfoot on the Ayrshire coast, the wind had dropped completely and we paddled accompanied by crazy reflections, some with disembodied heads.


The tide was well out as we landed in the reefs over which we had paddled just a few hours ago. On the horizon Ailsa Craig looked distant again but now we had an exact measure of that distance.

05/05/2008