The Pavlovian sound of splashing paddles.

Our first destination was Gull Point on the Little Cumbrae though we did not planned to stop for a break until we reached the south point of Bute, which can be seen rising beyond the point.

 Usually Gull Point resounds to the squabbling calls of the resident gulls but on this still morning...

 ...our approach was heralded by fierce barking from the four terriers of Little Cumbrae! They had started barking when we were still about 3km from their home. The splash of approaching paddles set off a Pavlovian frenzy of barking and salivation. These terriers associate approaching kayakers with sandwiches!

As we rounded the point the view to the north...

...opened up, as we left the Little Cumbrae and its lighthouse in our wakes.

We set off on a limpid sea.

 We set off on a limpid sea...

 ...it was the first time there had been a calm spell in two months.

Our destination was to be the magnificent island of Arran.

Her rocky ridges soared into a clear blue sky. Only on the highest summits did scraps of snow remain after the recent, relentless and relatively warm SW gales.

We met before dawn.

 After two months of incessant wind and rain, today promised to be fair. Ian, Mike , Phil and myself met at Portencross on the Firth of Clyde.

We arrived at low water on a spring tide. This sea urchin found itself exposed...

 ...as we made our way through the narrow channel...

...to the open sea beyond. It was good to have Mike back on the water with us again.

Ian had driven down from Aberdeen to join us. It was great to meet up with him again after our last paddle together on the St Kilda trip.

We then set off at dawn for what promised to be a fantastic day.

Sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar 2012 December.

Ailsa Craig at sunset from the Ayrshire coast near Dunure.

The 8th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar is available from seakayakphoto.com. The above link will lead to high resolution photos in four different desktop sizes.

This was the end of a glorious winter day when Tony, Phil and I set off from Seafield at Ayr and paddled past three castles of Carrick (Greenan, Dunure and Culzean) to Maidens. The photo was taken while running the shuttle at the end of the day. To the left of Ailsa Craig you can just make out Ireland. To the right you can see the Mull of Kintyre.

Sea kayaking desktop calendar 2012 November.

STS Europa sails from Greenock south down the Firth of Clyde towards Arran before turning west into the Sound of Bute.

The 8th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar is available from seakayakphoto.com. The above link will lead to high resolution photos in four different desktop sizes.

Phil, Tony and I chose to view the parade of sail (as the tall ships left Greenock en route for Shetland) from the north west side of the Little Cumbrae. While we waited, we fished for some mackerel and cooked them on the beach. We did what generations of Clyde-siders have done. We went doon the watter for some fish and ships!

Sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar 2012 October.

Balephuil Bay on the SW coat of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides.

The 8th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar is available from seakayakphoto.com. The above link will lead to high resolution photos in four different desktop sizes.

David, Phil and I enjoyed unbroken sun on our visit to Tiree. We circumnavigated the island in an anticlockwise direction in F4 to F5 NE winds. Being on the SW side of the island this was where we enjoyed most shelter. The SW faces the prevailing wind and is usually very exposed. The combination of clear water, shell sand and weed covered reefs creates wonderful patterns of turquoise and ultramarine on this coast,

Sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar 2012 September

Ben Cruachan from the Firth of Lorn.

The 8th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar is available from seakayakphoto.com. The above link will lead to high resolution photos in four different desktop sizes.

Phil, Jennifer and I were crossing From Loch Buie on Mull (where we had camped) to Ellenabeich on Seil. We had set off in a force 4 north easterly, with the wind shrieking round the cliffs of Mull. Half way across the Firth of Lorn the wind dropped to nothing before picking up from the SW again as we approached Seil.