Category: Sea Kayak Trips

Mingulay, Barra Head and the Uists, 14-24 August 2025

Mingulay, Barra Head and the Uists, 14-24 August 2025

19/10/202519/10/2025 By James Fraser Comment Closed

Words and Images By Paul Gardner A trip to Mingulay has been on the DCKC calendar for several years, but weather has always resulted in cancellation, or moving the trip to less exposed locations. However, this time it worked: a forecast for settled weather, at least for long enough to make it worthwhile getting the ferry across to Castlebay on Barra. On day 1, nine people made the ferry journey in three cars and a van, arriving in Castlebay in the afternoon, with plenty daylight left to drive to Vatersay, pack up and paddle a few km to a beach campsite on the south coast. Far enough to make sure you packed properly and didn’t forget anything, and near enough for one person to walk back to the car to collect their trousers. On day 2, we followed the chain of now-uninhabited islands south: Sandray, Pabbay and at last Mingulay, landing on a perfect beach. We were greeted by the NTS warden Ben,...

2nd Saturday Paddle; 10th May 2025 – Paul Meiklejohn

22/09/202522/09/2025 By Amanda Grant Comment Closed

Inchmurrin The trip was arranged and led by Janice with the assistance of Amanda and Richard; joined by Paul, Dearbhla, Agnes, Peter, Marek, Noelle, Susie and Mairi. Originally planned as a trip from Helensburgh to Kilcreggan, the team of leaders made the call on the Friday evening to relocate to Loch Lomond due to the forecast Force 4 to 6 winds that would be beyond conditions suited to our group. As a new paddler this was a perfect opportunity to develop my experience, which consisted of a few weeks in the pool and a single Tuesday evening session at the Loch. We set of from Drumkinnon Bay at Balloch in the glorious sunshine, heading along the west coast of Loch Lomond towards the island of Inchmurrin. We all understood that a southerly wind would be picking up later on, at which point we could make our return to base. On the way to the island we had a short unscheduled stop on the beach...

Gigha Long Weekend May 2025 – Rob Plant

Gigha Long Weekend May 2025 – Rob Plant

22/09/202522/09/2025 By Amanda Grant Comment Closed

Celia planned another kayaking trip around Gigha for the long May bank holiday weekend. (Ed. Is this to become an annual feature in the cub calendar?) We met at Tayinloan Pier at 10am, but due to high winds, we had to wait for the ferry, as the crossing was too exposed for a direct paddle. So we boarded the ferry with trolleys attached to our kayaks. Thanks to Andrew for bringing a wide selection of trolleys for everyone to use. Once we arrived on Gigha, we portaged to the beach and launched, heading south toward our intended camping spot on Cara Island. It was only a short trip, but the wind and swell were pushing us from behind, making for a brisk paddle. Upon landing on the beach, we discovered that Mark’s boat had been taking on water through the skeg box, and all of his Lomo dry bags had failed. We worked together to dry out as much gear as possible. Thankfully, the...

4 Star (Rough Water) Group Trip Report to Skye – Ronnie’s First Weekend Trip With DCKC

4 Star (Rough Water) Group Trip Report to Skye – Ronnie’s First Weekend Trip With DCKC

08/12/202408/12/2024 By Misha Comment Closed

Friday 15th November to Sunday 17th November ‘24 By Ronnie G. On a personal point of note when Misha posted a thread on the DCKC Whatsapp group a couple of months ago about looking for people who wanted to improve their paddling skills and experience on rough water in a safe environment I was very tempted as this is an area I’m very keen to improve. I would have to admit to feeling a bit apprehensive about whether my current kayaking skills were at a suitable level to join this group or not. When I discussed this proposed new group with Misha he explained that a group was set up by Alan Rollo a number of years ago offering the opportunity for peer group paddlers to practice and develop their skills in challenging conditions but in low consequence venues and that he was looking to restart / re-energise this initiative again. Misha explained to me this was likely to be pretty challenging...

Epic Summer Expedition to Orkney – Margaret’s Tale

04/07/202328/06/2023 By graham Comment Closed

Graham, Misha, Pat, Joe, Bev, Danny, Geoff, Leigh, Cam, Richard, Liz, Margaret The trip lived up to its name, a truly epic kayak to the cold and windy northern isles of Orkney whileGlasgow basked in the sun. Several days were 30k, most capsized at some point testing their rollingability or the team’s rescue skills from dodgy rocks and headlands, and day 1 winds were Force 5,gusting 6! Had I realized beforehand….!!?On Friday 26 May, nine of the group gathered at Thurso campsite. Plan A was going ahead, plans B(Shetland), C (other) had been cancelled. We were glad of Pat’s organizational skills with campsitespaces booked and just what we needed, a pattern that was to continue for the rest of the trip. https://dckc.smugmug.com/DCKC-2023/Orkney/i-NRM7PhZ/A Sat 27 th It was a windy, rough crossing from Scrabster to Stromness on the large Northlink ferry. Surely wewon’t be kayaking today was my thought. Little did I know. In Stromness we went to look at thesea, westerly, force 5, gusting...

DCKC Big Weekend Away: Tayvallich

DCKC Big Weekend Away: Tayvallich

01/07/202321/06/2023 By Pat Smith Comment Closed

We had 2 glorious days paddling based in the campsite at Tayvallich. We formed two groups, our group comprised Alan, Bev, Janice, Joe, Paul and me, Pat. On Day 1 we set off from Carsaig Bay for a 33km paddle south to MacCormaig Isles and back up Loch Sween to Tayvallich. It was a beautiful sunny blue sky day. We were protected from the F4 gusting 5 westerly wind on the leg south and enjoyed some tidal assistance all the way to EIlean Mhor, near the entrance to Loch Sween. We were able to get ashore at the end of a long north-facing inlet. The views were fantastic with great visibility. A conservation group had been working on the island and built a bothy displaying information for visitors as well as restoring part of the ancient chapel. We found the original cave used by monks (anchorites) who were seeking a hermit’s life for purposes of spiritual advancement - and maybe even...

Lismore introduction to sea kayak camping trip 17/18 June 2023

26/06/202326/06/2023 By Pat Smith Comment Closed

A group of 6 new and excited kayak campers( Eleni, Ian ,Harriet ,Kathryn, Wojtec and me ) led by Pat with Bev who kept an eye on ever changing weather forecast were delighted when Pat gave the all clear on Thursday night and it was Lismore here we come! Departure Day 1We left from the lay-by opposite Shuna Island at 10 am after perfect team work getting boats down to the beach and packed. The weather was supposed to be a gentle breeze and drizzle . No breeze no drizzle , so a very calm start to our adventure.We headed SW from Shuna guided by Pat who was keeping an eye on tides and flows across to the NE of Lismore though the little islands where we saw seals and pups galore, and started our main journey down Lismore’s western coast. The plan and route had already been described to us , we knew there would be plenty of opportunities for sightseeing...

The DCKC Awesome Sea Paddling Week 2018

05/09/201803/12/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

What can we say? It was AWESOME. It was so awesome that this report can only really give you a flavour. Next time – be there! We went to Shetland. Only a few days earlier, with the weather forecast looking unfavourable with a large storm predicted followed two days later by another storm, a non-Shetland Plan C was in place. We delayed the final decision on where to go whilst the forecast twisted and changed, and changed again. As our departure date drew closer, the forecast became more certain and it became clear that the first storm would pass before we arrived, allowing two good paddling days before the next front swept in. Our awesome trip leaders, Misha and Graham, decided two good days in Shetland would be worth the journey. In fact, the DCKC awesome sea paddling week yielded seven days of Shetland paddling and it has taken me a good week to recover. We paddled the most northerly part of...

Glenuig Weekend May 2018

30/05/201830/05/2018 By Pat Smith Comment Closed

Keywords: settee, swim, perfect calm, view of Small Isles, 'someone's taken my kayak', otter, 'how much for a go in your canoe Mister' Who was there: Janice, Anne, Bev, Marcus, Alan, Pat Special guests: Morven who brought her parents Jo and Michael, and Liz (sister of Janice) Conditions each day Weather: perfect calm Sea state: perfect calm Views: fabulous over to Small Isles, Skye, Coll Friday night we were down at the settee on the shore watching one of several fabulous sunsets Saturday Loch Moidart 25km Put in Samalaman by Glenuig with carry out over sand. Paddled out round Smirisary to first stop at Silver Sands. Then on to lagoon formed by low tide at SW corner of Eilean Shona for lunch. Continued on through South Channel to explore Castle Tioram then through North Channel to arrive back at Samalaman. On the way, a few of us gals went swimming from Eilean Shona beach - it was Baltic but don't let that put you off. It was a lovely spot...

Ganavan Sands to Kerrerra

29/04/2018 By Gerry oSullivan Comment Closed

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...

Sea Kayak Leadership Training, aka 4 Star Training

17/04/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

Four of us (Alan, Bev, Colin and Danny) gathered at Tayvallich, more specifically The Tayvallich Inn, on the Friday night having duly parked vans or pitched tents, and nervously discussed weather forecasts and tides, in between sipping beer and eating excellent food – despite the lack of Beef Madras. Lori and Antje texted to say that they were heading straight to their luxury accommodation of a B&B and such was the quality of the internet connection that some of us received the text the following night and others on Sunday. An early night and off to bed, the campsite just a short walk through the rain on a cloudy night. Morning was dry, but overcast. Calum, our trainer for the weekend, arrived promptly at 9am just shortly after Lori and Antje had arrived, and we were straight into planning the trip for the day, and being quizzed on tides, forecasts, and options. A suitable plan was finally agreed upon and we...

Bothy Adventures

14/03/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

Saturday dawned grey, but dry. Arriving first (or so they thought) Bev and Geri set out to search Plockton for coffee, only to see a sea kayak being carried down to the beach. Closer inspection revealed Leigh under the kayak, girl-handling it over the seaweed like a pro. Take-away coffees in hand, the three of us set about the mammoth task of trying to fit all the kit and food and more kit into the kayaks. There was some re-packing and some re-jigging of which kit was actually going and which had been brought along just to be stored in the car. In the midst of this chaos, Misha and Andy (Misha's pal, who lives on Skye) paddled into the bay. Finally, all kit was duly stowed, hatch covers battered down and boats slid (slowly) over the last bit of seaweed into the water. Only an hour or so late... We paddled out into Loch Carron from Plockton, aiming to cross...

Islay Sea and Surf Kayaking Weekend August 2017

Islay Sea and Surf Kayaking Weekend August 2017

10/08/201727/10/2017 By graham Comment Closed

Allegedly, Misha had suggested to Graham a couple of days paddling on Islay. Ever enthusiastic, Graham’s response led to the pair of them organising and leading a full-on club trip to the island. Thus, on the evening of Friday 4th August, a number of club members and their vehicles joined the queue at Kennacraig ferry terminal on West Loch Tarbert to board the 6pm sailing to Port Askaig on Islay. After a two hour crossing that included a meal on board we disembarked for a quick drive across the island to the scenic Machir bay on the west coast where wild camping behind the sand dunes had been proposed as our luxury accommodation for the weekend. On arriving in the Bay we were met by the advance party consisting of Pat, Graham and the Starship Enterprise, aka Pat’s motorhome, who’d all caught the earlier ferry to Port Ellen on the south of the island. After pitching tents, a camp fire...

Beginners Trip – Loch Lubnaig – Sunday 7th May

10/05/2017 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

The weather has been glorious over the last few days and that was no exception this Sunday when Sandy, Paul, Alison, Ellen, Jim, Connor, Paul, David, Clive, me (Geri) and Matthew met at the Miller Street container for what looked like a positive start to the day. It was a fairly straight forward drive up to the Loch although it was fairly clear that traffic might be an issue at some point in the day. Significantly smaller than the major lakes of the area, but easily accessible along the A84, Loch Lubnaig is popular with picnicker, walkers and cyclists. There are two car parks providing easy access to the southern end of the loch, both close to pleasant beaches. A parking fee applied of £4 for the day but the new pound coin didn’t work, neither apparently did a card, so for some, parking was free. In all we were 11 paddlers (with two junior kayakers joining us). It was the...

Foundation Safety and Rescue Training – Only one place left!

06/04/201722/07/2017 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

This course is free to club members (apart from certificate fee) who are volunteering as rescue kayakers at the Great Scottish Swim on Saturday 26 August 2017. Otherwise the fee for club members for this course is £30. This course is the British Canoe Union Safety course that all other safety courses are built on and is often a prerequisite for future development. The next course will take place on Loch Lomond on Sunday 13 August 2017. There is only one place left on this course. This course is designed for all paddlers irrespective of craft. The objective is to teach simple and safe skills that can be applied appropriately across a variety of paddlesport craft including kayaks and canoes. These skills will then form the basis of all safety and rescue training throughout the BCU Scheme. The course aims to provide the student with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely in a sheltered water environment and to be able to deal...