I’m back on the trail again with my ticklist of the remaining trips to be paddled, photographed and written up getting ever shorter. The remaining list requires several decent weather windows however they aren’t as easy to schedule with my days off work and father duties.
The localised winds on the West coast of Skye thwarted Richard and I today, with gusts in excess of F 6 - 7 blowing hard out of Loch Brittle in the shadow of the Cuillin mountains. The forecast for the next couple of days is looking more promising so perhaps Neist Point or Waternish Point might be ticked off?
Ticking off such great trips isn’t something I would normally chose to do however with time at a premium in my life, needs must and this project to write a sea kayaking guidebook to the Northwest Highlands must be completed as I’m sure there are more than a few people who might be looking forward to it?
Hi Cailean,
It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure you must be the same Cailean that worked at TYF a bit over the years? Nice Blog, and nice photos!
I’m looking forward to the new guide your writing! I’m planning a trip out to Pabbay and Mingulay June the 15th for 9 days and also have my 5 star assessment in Sept. I was wondering if you could help me with some advice on the best sources of info for paddling that area. Which chart would be the best one to get? Some friends of ours are heading out by boat with the fisherman (and hopefully some of my climbing equipment), but Sam Ponsford and I are hoping to paddle over (after getting the ferry from Oban to somewhere nearby!). Jon Haylock has sent us the following useful info which seems really good. Just be good to hear from you and if you have any recommendations in addtition to Jon’s! All the best, Tom Luddington.
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Here’s some info buddy….
Nb All tidal info is related to HW Ullapool.
Local Hw correction -0110 ullapoool.
Vatersay: Beauty of a camp spot on the south end hourse shoe beach (Bagh a Deas) walk quite a long way back to find a good tent spot quite shelterd from west.
Tide (caolas shandraigh): West begins @ -0140 East Begins @ 0505 runs @ 4kn on springs
Heavy overfalls in both directions.
Sandray: Camping possible on NW beach and SE beach, SE beach stunning headland camp on west end of beach that gets cut off at high tide and (in storms) rode out a storm force 8-10 on this beach then had to carry accross the island to get off. Did some new routing on SW Coast (single pitch).
Tide(caolas phabaigh): West begins @ -0140 East Begins @ 0505 runs @ 4kn on springs
NB: east going stream is often stronger, with heavy overfalls at its
extermities in both directions.
Pabbay: Good shelter and good search required to find camping on east beach, only landing spot!! Great arch of pabbay on west coast.
Tide (Caolas Mhuiughlaigh):West begins @ -0140 East Begins @ 0505 runs @ 3kn on
springs heavy overfalls at its extermities in both directions.
Mingulay: The finest sea kayaking ive done on west coast, incredible caves and arches. Fresh water spring and camping on only landing East beach.
Tide (caolas Bhearnaraigh) Funky!!!
West begins@ -0145 @2.5kn for 8.5 hours?
east begins@ -0600 @2.5kn for 4.5 hours?
Berneray: Landing at north peir (i didnt land here so not sure about camping)
Tides to the west of all islands:
SW going tide begins@ 0155
NE going tide begins@ -0430 both at 2kn@sp
Tides to the east of all these islands:
S going tide begins @-0050
N going tide begins @ 0510 both a 1.5kn@sp
Passage between the islands is ok ferry glides work nicely even on full flows, the small islands in each of the sounds are perfect to island hop and shorten the ferry glides and iteresting in their own right.
Charts available from stanford maps and charts and heaps of other online stores. Use os sheet 31 1:50 000.
Well guys have fun, all this tidal info was from the pilot and seemed to work on the one trip i had here so i hope it helps and works for you fellas. Truly wish i could be coming with you not for the climbing of course. This is the most exposed remote stunning scottish paddling to be had so take care and have a fucking good time.
Give me a bell when your in oban it will great to catch up and show you our sea kayak school/shop etc.
Have a good one………
JON.>>>>>>>
Tom,
Yes it’s me from the TYF in 2002.
I’ve not actually been down to Mingulay myself so can’t comment on Jon’s tidal advice however I’m pretty sure it will be spot on.
The guidebook is taking a while to write - change of job, started a family and got moved to Thurso - which ain’t as handy for doing trips on the West Coast.
You still down in Pembroke?
5* Sea - I’m sure you will breeze it.
Cheers
Cailean