A group of sea kayakers stayed at Kilmelford Yacht Haven and there were seven days of trips in glorious sunshine and calm seas. No-one stayed for the whole week – people came and went as they could fit it in. Often there was a choice between an easier paddle and a more challenging one and we alternated between 8.30 and 10 am starts. After a few days of paddling from base camp we drove to other launch points in the area – and discovered that there are now a number of council put-in spots created as part of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail. The most challenging day was a 26km trip launching at Tayvallich on Loch Sween and going round the Island of Danna and back up the Sound of Jura to Carsaig Bay – a km from Tayvallich and walkable – although on this occasion a non-paddling partner was able to drive people back to their cars. This is a trip that many people do over two days; it was planned with the expectation of help from the tide but an eddy in the Sound of Jura made it harder work than expected. A day launching at Kilmelford and paddling around the island of Shuna was a similar length. A slightly shorter paddle was around Kerrera, an island just across from Oban, also planned with the aim of getting help from the tide and that worked out well. The shortest trip was probably around Eastvale and Insh and back to Ellenabeich on Seil Island – getting back in time for a late lunch in the pub. Those who wanted a longer paddle that day explored a few more skerries north of Insh. There’s a selection of photos in the slider below but on this trip people seemed to be focusing on paddling more than photography.
