The Magnificent Seven
Lulled into a false sense of security by the stern but soothing tones of the new satnav, Ian arrived in Tayinloan – after inadvertently visiting Greenock – much later than scheduled to find Angus, Clare, Catherine, Phil, Anne and Graeme generously waiting. Generously they tore his boat off the car roof and selflessly gave of their time watching him pack said boat at both speed and random.
Within fifty minutes we left the ferry terminal beach and headed across towards Gigha, eventually aiming south past Gigalum Island towards the northern end of Cara Island where we set up camp for Friday night, displacing the herd of feral goats but leaving the occupants of Cara House undisturbed.
Next morning – shockingly, on the water before the agreed time – we headed south to circumnavigate Cara and then made our way through its western skerries to the south end of Gigha, stopping to stretch our legs in Grob Bagh. Terns, gulls and geese – Canada and greylag, both complete with multiple goslings – abounded. A leisurely paddle in sunny conditions – some of us without cags – through the string of seal-defended skerries on the south-west coast led to an even more leisurely three-hour lunch stop at Port na Cathrach during which most of the party visited Achamore House and gardens. Some sun-drenched snoozing was had. We continued up the west coast past the restored mill house adjacent to the remains of the mill itself and its overshot wheel, fed by the aptly named Mill Loch. Rounding Eilean Garbh at virtually the north end of Gigha, we beached in Baigh na Doirlinne to find a superb camping spot looking out towards the Paps of Jura. A small cove provided shelter for our kayaks and the tiny tidal range meant easy carries of both boats and gear. An easy day’s paddling in idyllic conditions and a fabulous view from the tents; it doesn’t get much better than this.
Sunday was more overcast initially as we packed up and headed round the northern tip of the island into the Sound of Gigha. We reached Ardminish at almost exactly lunchtime and after coffee at The Boathouse (including our own insufficiently surreptitious cake supplies) we wandered up to the village to find The Nook, which provided us with a variety of freshly cooked fish and seafood takeaways. We timed our return and route across the Sound to Tayinloan to avoid any chance of interfering with the passage of the ferry which runs every 30 minutes.
Many thanks to Graeme Seggie for organising what was an excellent weekend in good company. A highly recommended journey for those thinking of extending their paddling beyond day trips.