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

Mingulay, Barra Head and the Uists, 14-24 August 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,...
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Kilcreggan Trip Report – Dearbhla Mulligan

By Amanda Grant Comment Closed
On the second Saturday in December, 7 of us met at Kilcreggan pier for what was to be a very successful day of paddling. After a 6am start and a dark stop off at Balloch we were spoiled with a gorgeous sunrise on the beach. While loading our boats, there was lots of trepidatious chat about cold fingers and toes. I was told by those who’d been on the Bonfire paddle two days earlier that neoprene gloves were not the answer, and Misha pointed me to an article in last month's Craic’n about keeping hands toasty on the water. We set off with two objectives in mind: firstly, to see as many of the nice houses along the shore as we could; and secondly, to try and spot the police boat keeping an eye on us as we approached Coulport. With Amanda and Ewen taking turns at the front, we were not disappointed. Shouts of “seal” from Ryan alerted us to...
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Lochranza Arran Trip, April 2012

By dckc kayak club Comment Closed
This trip happened over the weekend of the 14/15 of April. In total, 15 club members turned up for this trip away, some members were opting to take the Bus to the Hostel, others walking. The majority paddled up from Brodick to the Hostel in Lochranza. Others paddled from different locations such as Largs via the Kyle’s of Bute to Lochranza or from Portencross direct to Lochranza, such were the options!!! The weather was kind us overall, although paddling up from Brodick some might disagree with this point with a steady Force 3-4 in our faces coupled with low temperatures made this paddle a bit more of a challenge. There was also a Naval exercise in the area and the delayed wake from the ships was quite impressive! With clear skies the Arran hills were looking very impressive as we paddled passed Sanox. Once at the Hostel we all managed to get sorted out and feed. It was then off to the Pub, where we met the local Deer just sitting...
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