2025 Islay and Jura Sea Kayak Trip Day 0 to Port Askaig

This year’s trip was to be the Inner Hebrides, with backup plans to base ourselves from Leachive Caravan Park – Tayvallich in poor weather, but with good conditions, we were to trolly the kayaks onto the ferry at Kennacraig and paddle from Port Askaig on Islay. As usual, the trip was fully booked from early in the year.

With three days to go and high pressure giving ideal conditions for the trip out to the islands, we booked the ferry and planned for a 10 to 12-day trip to make the best of the good weather.

Day 0 Saturday 16th Getting to Port Askaig

Team “M” headed up on the Friday evening and camped next to the Crinan Canal.  There was a brilliant sunset.  We had actually gone to the campsite first, but were informed that it would be £75 (£25 for each small tent) for the night.  The couple next door to our pitch had a family tent and were charged £25 + £5 for the second adult.  I seriously think Scotland has its camping fees a little confused.

We checked out all the best cafés for the morning and ended up in Tarbet.  Here we met up with the three other cars and enjoyed a second breakfast. With all 9 of us together, we could discuss plans and look at the maps and possible routes.

After the late breakfast/lunch, we headed to the Ferry at Kennacraig, which had free parking and security cameras to watch over the car park.  We soon had the kayaks packed, ready to paddle the short way to our camp as soon as the Ferry landed on Isla.  The kayaks proved stable on the trolleys and were easy to wheel onto the car deck of the ferry, ready for its departure at 6:00 pm.

During the 2-hour journey, we enjoyed an evening meal in the restaurant on board and then went out on deck to check out the coastline.   Unbelievably, we saw a Fin Whale cross behind the boat.  A few minutes later, there was a large pod of about 25 Risso’s Dolphins.  They were surfing the wake of the Ferry and jumping clear of the water.  The white scarring (naturally developed over their lifetime) on their heads and bodies was very clear as they leapt clear of each wave.

As we neared the port, we scoured the coastline for a suitable campsite.  It was going to be dark in less than two hours.   Once docked, the cars all left first, and then we wheeled our kayaks about 30m to the small slipway in front of the pub.  We dropped the kayaks off the trollies and carried them to a small area of trees in the car park and secured them with a couple of cables and a lock.