Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Old Man of the Mull of Logan.


We enjoyed fantastic sea kayaking through a maze of skerries as we paddled towards the still distant Mull of Logan.


The Mull itself looks rather uninteresting when approached from the north. Lurghie point just emerges gently from the sea.


However, turn the corner and its character changes. We found ourselves paddling against a stiff adverse current between Otter Rock and the Mull as the tide had turned almost an hour before.


Then we turned a corner and there was the Devil's Bridge, one of the finest but least known of Scotland's many rock arches.


In the lagoon behind the arch, the stony gaze of the Old Man of the Mull of Logan keeps a perpetual watch over those who pass the Mull...

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Slack water in the North Channel.


We left Port Stilton in almost perfect conditions.


The North Channel coastline of the Rhins of Galloway is for the most part devoid of any sign of human activity.


Our only companions were fulmars which swooped round us with wing tips skimming the sea.


As our mission to the Mull of Logan progressed, the sun crossed the yardarm and the water went glassy calm. Slack water had arrived in the North Channel.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Where will we take luncheon today?


After paddling under dark breezy skies, we were relieved when the sun broke through again and the wind died to next to nothing.


We were getting hungry by now and we came upon the delightful Port of Spittal Bay.


Right on the beach, stands the reputed Knockinaam Lodge Hotel. This fine establishment has a Michelin star and luncheon there is a mere £37.50.... very mouthwatering and tempting. We salivated over the luncheon menu...

Grilled Fillet of Native Salmon
with Basil Pesto

Cauliflower and Parsley Soup
with Crème Fraîche

Roast Cannon of Galloway Lamb
Thyme Pomme Fondant, Haggis Bon Bon
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage,
and a Juniper and Port Reduction

Caramelized Thin Apple Tart
with Double Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
or
Selection of Fine British and French Cheeses
served with a Walnut and Sultana Bread

Coffee and Petits Fours


...indeed we salivated so much we could understand why it was called Port of Spittal Bay!


However, on this occasion the temptation of some excellent rockhopping ahead and a strong flood tide carried us away from this culinary temptation.


This really is an exceptional coast and we enjoyed every hungry minute of it...


...until we arrived at Port Stilton.


Here on this bare strand, we would enjoy our few plain victuals.

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Galloway snow squall warning


Although we had driven through snowshowers on the way to Portpatrick, we launched under clear blue skies. We soon found ourselves in the shade.


Making our way to the SE along the cliffs of Tandoo Point on the Rhins of Galloway, the skies darkened...


...as a great snow squall raced across the land and out to sea. This was a trip that could go either way...

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Going with the flow on the Rhins of Galloway


After settling David's new pheasant friend we at last got onto the water beneath the old lighthouse at Portpatrick. In the distance we could just see Northern Ireland on the far side of the North Channel.


The tides run strongly in the North Channel and our plan was to take the flood tide SE to the Mull of Logan then take the ebb tide back to Portpatrick.


We soon cleared the crumbling walls...


...of Portpatrick's old outer breakwater. Portpatrick lighthouse was built in 1839 but was decommissioned in 1900.


Even Phil forgot about the pheasant fouling his car, the tide soon caught us and before we knew it...


...we were in the shade of the dark cliffs of Castle Point.


We stopped for a moment in the little bay behind the point to admire the remains of Dunskey Castle.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Potted pheasant at Portpatrick


Back in February we drove through snow showers to arrive in Portpatrick which nestles round a rocky inlet on the Rhins of Galloway. It is an interesting little place...


...which is just as well because Tony and I had to spend some considerable time waiting for David and Phil to arrive. We spent the time looking at the large pots and transport of the Lighthouse Pottery. We were fearing they had run off the road in the snow when, at last, a call came through. David had rescued a pheasant that had been injured on the road. The plan was that he would leave it in Phil's car while we went paddling then take it home to his surgery afterwards. The poor thing would need some sustenance so David and Phil were searching Portpatrick for supplies of pheasant food.


Fortunately Portpatrick is a small place and their search was not protracted. The only thing resembling pheasant food was a packet of scotch broth mix found in a small supermarket. This was duly purchased and left with the pheasant on the floor of Phil's car. Phil was looking pretty dubious about this but David reassured him that it would be OK. The pheasant obviously liked the mix as it proceeded to stuff itself with the contents of the packet.


At last the kayaks were carried down the slip...


and onto the sands of Portpatrick harbour. Colourful buildings cluster round the esplanade and amongst them we spotted the Crown Hotel . We made a mental note to call there later.


As we prepared to depart, Tony and I sympathised with a still anxious Phil. Much as we felt sorry for the pheasant, we thought a better use of the scotch broth mix would have been to make a lovely big pot of soup.... with a nice pheasant stock!

Friday, April 09, 2010

Sea Kayaking round Laggan peninsula Mull via Lochs Spelve and Buie


A 44km paddle from Ellenabeich on the Island of Seil across the Firth of Lorn and round the Laggan peninsula of Mull via Loch Spelve, freshwater Loch Uisg and Loch Buie, February 2010. This route takes you through part of Scotland's Great Glen Fault, which just clips SE Mull. It involves two portages and two open crossings. Although this was a day trip, it would make a fantastic multi day expedition. From Glasgow it takes about 2hrs 45minutes to drive to Ellenabeich.

Tidal streams in the Firth of Lorn south of the entrance to Loch Spelve run at 2 knots springs
NE going +0515 HW Oban -0015 HW Dover
SW going -0105 HW Oban +0555 HW Dover

Tidal streams at Loch Spelve entrance run at 3.5-4 knots springs
Ingoing -0530 HW Oban +0125 HW Dover
Outgoing +0015 HW Oban -0515 HW Dover
Strong eddies and overfalls

Tidal streams off Frank Lockwood's Island run at 1 knot springs
NE going +0430 HW Oban -0100 HW Dover
SW going -0115 HW Oban +0500 HW Dover
W going eddy to Loch Buie during NE stream


Loch Spelve


Loch Buie

Google maps, short by an Insh!

Dark volcanic sands of Mull.

A Lorn view at luncheon

The Loch Spelve welcoming committee.

Loch Spelve and its mysterious pier.

A sea kayaking milestone on Mull.

Sea kayakers get fresh on Loch Uisg, Mull

Lochbuie, his highlanders and an admirable port.

The road to Loch Buie.

Sea kayaking at sundown in Loch Buie.

A night crossing of the Firth of Lorn by kayak.


Photo album map.