Kyle of Lochalsh and surrounding area - Page 2

Steve509926 · 26 April 2021, 11:15

Thanks Donny, your help and info is much appreciated. Think I've got lots of options and sibbing routes now. I know I won't get to do everything I'd like too, just means another holiday will have to be planned

Had planned to do Sgurr na Sgine, I'll go via the ridge and Diane can avoid the scramble using the lower path and we can meet up on the Saddle.
Sounds as though I'd have to time Ladhar Bheinn down to the last minute! You never know, she may agree to me camping out overnight

The Gurnard · 27 April 2021, 13:34

Your post on Loch Hourn has inspired me to head there tomorrow for four days wild camping with these guys ..so going at a leisurely pace. Yup..lockdown has ended up here and tourists are welcome again.

Barrisdale Bay is a great place to camp..this is my camp at the start of Ladhar Bheinn path from last time I was there.

If I feel energetic ..but not promising ... I might run up Ladhar Bheinn to give you a better idea of time ?

Im sure there will be a video of the area next week on my return..to keep your inspiration going

Steve509926 · 27 April 2021, 13:47

I'm jealous Donny

The picture of your camp at Barrisdale Bay really shows how shallow it is around there.

Enjoy your trip.

The Gurnard · 01 May 2021, 13:31

I survived my time in Loch Hell Steve (Loch Hourn is known as Loch Hell). I had three nights wild camping in its mighty jaws.

It was bloody freezing with the north winds bringing snow, sun, terrible squalls, and flat calms in a continuous circle during my time there... however it was fabulous and I hardly scratched the surface of the area... which is what I meant by you are very ambitious doing all you mentioned in your first post. My advice is take your time and enjoy the area rather than go hell for leather round it all.

I will eventually get a video of the four day trip from Glenelg to Kinlochleven and back ..but these photos should give you a flavour of the trip and an insight into the area.

Pushing through the Kyleakin overfalls

Running for shelter from a nasty quall.

Paddling between squall and calm waters.

Flat calm and sun

jeffstevens763@g · 01 May 2021, 13:56

Donny what's that in the air on the second image

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 14:44

Looks big, Sea Eagle ????

Thanks for the post Donny, looks wonderful. I have been reviewing all the walks and sibbing trips I have outlined, and on your advise I will be narrowing them down considerably

Look forward to seeing the video.

Did you get to run up Ladhar Bheinn

I know I can't rely to much on the accuracy of long range weather forecasts, but I'm hoping that they are right when they are indicating its going to get a little warmer and more settled.

jeffstevens763@g · 01 May 2021, 14:47

Steve be prepared to go up on a good forecast and it change sods law

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Steve be prepared to go up on a good forecast and it change sods law

Sounds like my old man that Jeff

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst"

Diane's already packed all the skiing gear just in case

The Gurnard · 01 May 2021, 15:44

Im not sure Jeff..I was too busy running for shelter because when the squalls hit, the waves went from a couple of inches to a few feet high in seconds. I had a heavy laden 2.75m boat that could only go displacement speeds so shipped a fair amount of water when they hit. I don’t notice much because of concentrating on the next wave.I think its only a gull though ?

One minute looking up Loch Hourn ..the view was like this

Five minutes later the view was like this

And five minutes later I was off the water sheltering until it passed.. it why its known as Loch Hell and the wettest place in Scotland.

However although bitter cold and we had frosty tents in the mornings.. we thoroughly enjoyed the camping and crack round the campfires.

Im sure you would have loved it Jeff . For me its what boating is all about..not how fast can I go.. or whats the best type of gear to buy .. its about getting into the wilderness by sea that counts for me.

Hi Steve..nope ..I was too busy enjoying the stunning scenery and having short walks for the video to go up Lader Bheinn..but it certainly looked magnificent .. I would recomment this trip to you and hopefully the weather will warm soon.. I think I saw penguins up there..well after a few gravys

The Gurnard · 01 May 2021, 16:01

And one last photo for you Steve..the mighty Ladhar Bheinn .. I go up the right hand shoulder from Barrisdale Bay..its steep and exposed at the top but if you are used to heights there is no technical scrambling involved

When I drove back this morning the South Glen Shiel hill were in full winter condition as I was looking at the northern corries..but it wont last long ..when the sun comes out..there is a bit of warmth in the air.

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 16:24

Suburb photos Donny, crampons packed just in case

jeffstevens763@g · 01 May 2021, 16:42

Challenging trip Donny but that’s Scotland mind it’s cold down here but no rain. Think Steve’s right the wing is wide like a large bird of prey. Looking forward to a trip out when we can.
Been going up Scotland for many years Steve when I was a diver on the Skye bridge we had red hot sun and our shirts off in the morning and snow on the deck in the afternoon, pi$$ed down the next day

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 17:17

I've always been lucky with the weather each time I've gone to Scotland, mind I've never been during the "summer" months!

Fenlander · 01 May 2021, 17:23

Over more than three decades we've had some of the best times in Scotland.... but you have to be prepared to take what you get for summer weather. Such as two weeks in a superb boating location with a max temp of 16deg in July/Aug. The first real warmth we felt was on the way home as we stepped out of the car at Scotch Corner services in a heady 20 deg.

The last time we had it really warm up there in the summer was 88 or 89.

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

The first real warmth we felt was on the way home as we stepped out of the car at Scotch Corner services in a heady 20 deg.

That's bl00dy tropical for Scotch Corner, you sure your car wasn't over heating!

Fenlander · 01 May 2021, 17:37

At least I was realistic... had I said 30deg you'd have known it was porkies.

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

At least I was realistic... had I said 30deg you'd have known it was porkies.

Without a shadow of doubt

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 21:36

Fenlander, when you went to Plockton did you use the pontoon or beach when you went ashore? If you used the pontoon, was there a charge? pay through the harbour master?

Fenlander · 01 May 2021, 22:08

We used the pontoon a few times having launched at the slipway. I totally forget but there may have been an honesty box and if so I'd have dropped something in it.

Just looked it up... £5 daily for casual dinghy use paid by an envelope in secure box system... that's probably what we used.

Steve509926 · 01 May 2021, 22:15

Donny, taking your advice I'm thinking of splitting our visit to Loch Hourn into 2 visits:-

1. Glenelg to Arnisdale - exploring between the two.

2. Arnisdale to Kinloch Hourn - again exploring between the two.

Questions arising are:-

Launching at Glenelg - off the beach near the small pier? OK to leave the car loch side?

Arnisdale to Kinloch Hourn - doable at any state of tide, or best 2 hours before and after high tide?