This was an excellent day trip led by Rab. There were 11 of us in total. Myself, Rab, Danny, Grant, Janice, Anne, Pat, Bev, Jim, Marcus and Iain. We all planned to meet on Ganavan Sands for 10:00 am. Myself, Janice and Anne decided to hostel it on Friday evening. A great plan we thought, a good night’s sleep in Oban before our paddle. As they say, all the best laid plans… and all that jazz. (Note to self…Remember when staying in a hostel to bring ear plugs and eye mask). Lights and hair dryers being used in the same room as you are trying to sleep are not particularly welcome at 4:30 or 6:00 in the morning.
However, we all survived and headed out of Oban to the put in point. It was a perfect morning. Sun shining and pan flat sea. Ganavan Sands was a perfect put in spot. Sandy beach and no rocks or slip on yer bahuckie seaweed. We finally got on the water around 11:15 and paddled down past Oban through the Sound of Kerrera on the outgoing tide. I suppose the main issue here is ferries and tour boats, so keeping your eyes peeled and sticking close together was a good strategy. I made sure that my skeg was fully functional this time round. I suppose that was one lesson learned from my last trip. Always get someone to check your skeg is working before you head off. I was pretty confident this time round that the skeg would not be the main cause for lagging at the back.
As we paddled down the Sound the wind picked up, as was expected, although I was one of the slower paddlers, my ability to control my boat this time was much better thanks to my working skeg. It was challenging as the wind got close to a force 4. It is good to get out there in more challenging condition particularly with skilled paddlers as company. No one went in.
Rab decided we needed a little rest before rounding the head land, so we paddled into The Little Horseshoe Bay and rested for 5 or 10 minutes. Once back in the Sound, again some strong paddling was needed to combat the head on wind bearing down on us. As we rounded the headland things calmed down a little and we paddled round for lunch at Gylen Castle. Gylen Castle is quite a gem and well worth the rocky landing but there was plenty of seaweed to act as a cushion. Set in such a dramatic setting, it was built in 1582 by Duncan MacDougall of Dunollie and was originally known as Duncan’s Fort. 65 years later in 1647, a Royalist garrison living in the castle came under attack from a small army of General Leslie’s Covenanting Troops who laid siege to the castle for the MacDougalls’ support of the King. Gylen seemed impregnable with its defensive features. It is said lack of water proved to be its downfall. The Covenanter’s threatened all in the Castle with hanging if they did not surrender. So the garrison finally gave up and their castle was set ablaze. Tragically this did not save them, all were massacred. The Castle has remained roofless and empty ever since and that’s the history lesson over. Thank you Prof Google.
After lunch we strolled around the Castle and admired the views down onto the bays watching Marcus practicing in the bay. Back on the water we headed on round the island. There was still a strong wind but definitely more manageable this time. It was a beautiful paddle and we arrived safely back at Ganavan Sands. Wind swept and a little sun kissed but happy. And that’s when things went belly up for me.
I lost my car keys. No idea where. I couldn’t get back in my car so had to get a lift back to Glasgow by the wonderful kindly duo of Janice and Anne while Danny took my boat back for me. The next day I had to get the train back to Oban and drive my car home again. I had other plans for my Sunday but they had to be shelved. Thanks again to all who kept my panic at bay and my mortification at holding everyone up. I am normally OCD about keys. I suppose the Spring sunshine and excitement of the trip made me relax just a little too much. Oh well, all’s well that ends well. It could have been worse. I could have paid up the £170 the AA were going to charge me only to find that my keys were not in the car anyway. Unperturbed and looking forward to the next trip. Great company. Well done guys.
Oh, and I should add a double stop off at the Good Food Cafe was a bit of a bonus. Took the sting out of it. Check out the pictures on the SmugMug page here.
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