The fickle forecast! It changed all week, jumping from OK to marginal to definitely not OK and back again. The fickle forecast! Checked another forecast and it predicted a lovely weekend. The fickle forecast! Checked a third forecast hoping for a majority vote and different yet again. The fickle forecast!
Sunday was expected to be strong winds so Seil circumnavigation had to be cancelled and the trip turned into a day trip. Tidal gates wouldn’t allow a circumnavigation of Luing from Cuan ferry so we launched from Easdale.
Heading down towards Cuan the tide started to pick up and there was swell breaking on the submerged rocks. Add clapotis and it made it an interesting approach. Boats turned, rocked and plunged through the chaos. The group held their nerve, focused and paddled through the confusion to arrive into the welcoming arms of Cuan race. The race took our boats and pulled us further in. We were joined by a fisherman or should I say a fisherseal, who had caught a fish and was eating it. Whirlpools were abound and quick paddle strokes were needed to dance and weave through these underwater traps. One unlucky member was sucked into a small one and was spun 360 degrees and spat out before it was too late.
Having made it through we entered calm and peace of Shuna sound. We met another group who told the story of the fairy campsite guarded by, you’ve guessed it, fairies. After paying homage to these fairies we were allowed to land. As advertised, we had dolphins jumping in the bay almost. A pod of porpoises feeding in the bay.
The next obstacle, or challenge or bit of fun was the sound of Luing. We had timed our approach and shot up the sound with increasing velocity until we approached at light speed Belnahua. Performing an out of this world low brace turn we turned into the eddy at the back of the island with gasps and a sighs of relief.
We explored Belnahua and preached from the ministerial pulpit, a hollowed out cliff where the preachers of old performed their sermon. We launched and paddled through overfalls and races to leave the island and head back to the car.
Based on a true story. Thank you to Nick F, Ross B, Jo H a and Jonathan H for a great time and company.