2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 11 Wednesday Slagan Bay to Seana Chamas Bay via Rubha Reidh by David Grimes I woke early to the haunting calls of a pair of loons on the water (that is, beautiful seabirds, not over-enthusiastic dawn kayakers) piercing the deafening silence of the bay and the ruined village above it.  I had assumed that the ruins were as a result of the clearances.  However, it seems that the clan chief of the Mackenzies in Gairloch refused to evict his tenants during the clearances of the 19th century and, as a result, cleared Highlanders from other communities made their way to settle in the area.  However, the population dwindled because of the decline in the agricultural economy.  Reputedly, there are strangers buried in the village – they came ashore to raid but had been spotted in advance and the villagers were ready and waiting for them.  The only hostile visitors waiting for us were the inevitable clouds of midgies – however there were times when I felt as though a swift despatch at the hands of a pitchfork wielding local might have been preferable to being tormented by a million psychopathic critters. The day started somewhat overcast but calm with very little wind as we made the short crossing to the headland of Rubha Reidh, resisting the temptation of a detour down into Loch Ewe.  There were some hugely impressive red rock arches to explore.  As we worked our way along the coast to the Rua Reidh lighthouse, the coastal features were like a sea kayakers sweetshop with fantastic rock formations, caves and a very photogenic waterfall.  I say photogenic, it was until several of us tried to paddle underneath it and recreate the old Timotei adverts.  One particular cave was […]

Kingsway Pool starts back on THURSDAYS at 9:00pm Kingsway Pool – Widnes Thursday (Beginners, general paddling and rolling) Thursday, 7 October ’21   8:45pm – 10pm BST Kingsway Pool, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QH 20 spaces available Click on our booking page to reserve a place……… More information from our venues page…… Every Thursday 1 hour Club Pool Session (The session runs from 9:00pm to 10:00pm but you are advised to arrive for 8:45pm). Session Supervisor(s) Richard Clews; Stuart Conway; Nick Coughlin; Dave Reynolds & Keith Steer Cost: £5.00 for 1 hour, free use of boats and equipment and free coaching. Plenty of club boats and paddles available or bring your own. (These must be clean from all forms of contamination, ie washed inside and out with freshwater.) Sea kayaks will be allowed but only if at least two places left (18 or less from 20 places). Should the pool fully book you may have to use a pool boat! You MUST be a full member of the club to paddle with us

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 10 Tuesday Fraoch Eilean Mor, around greenstone point to Slagan Bay by Andy Garland We had spent the night camped at yet another idyllic spot. It had a backdrop of the Torridon mountains to the east and the Black Cuillin of Skye across the sea to the west. Added to that, a golden beach extended to the south. This beach was made of several trillion particles of sand – tiny, tiny grains of silica that did their upmost to invade absolutely everything. Despite fastidious efforts to keep the tent clean it still got everywhere…in my socks, sleeping bag, mug, toothbrush and into just about every bodily orifice that I possess. You might guess correctly that a sandy beach is not my favourite place to camp. Anyway, as usual we were on the water at a respectable time, and we continued our journey south. Before long we paddled past a tiny settlement, called…Sand! (seriously). After that the coast took on a much rockier character as we passed around Greenstone Point. The winds continued to be light, and we had great paddling conditions. Our next camp was at Slagan Bay. Now then, after the best part of two weeks on the water the days had begun to blur into one, and I have no recollection of what Slagan Bay actually looked like. However, I can confidently say that I did not camp on sand! More photos……… To see more pages from the whole trip go to the Major trips and Expedition reports tab on the club website or click here…….

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 09 Monday Càrn Nan Sgeir (island) to Camas a’ Chruthcach via small village with wind generators and solar panels (Scraig) then across little loch Broome to Anthrax island by Catriona Hare Having enjoyed yesterday’s long car shuttle (Sunshine and scenery make all the difference.) and the fantastic sunset on last night’s beach camp  I was looking forward to today’s paddle. Today I would complete an unexpected two-day bonus extension to the first week. Keith found somewhere I could pick up my car at the end of the day. We set off promptly at 8:45, 15 minutes before we had agreed to leave, at the start of week two the packing was getting quicker even without midges. The midges were kept at bay by the wind which also meant it was definitely a cag day from the outset, only my second of the trip. We started off by paddling round the small island we had camped on the night before, seeing the now infamous wind turbine from day 1 ! After the circumnavigation we paddled across to the mainland near Cailleach Head. There was a reasonably strong northerly wind so for this part of the trip we had a following sea. We rounded Caillach Head and entered the mouth of Little Loch Broom and headed down the northern coast to Scoriag, where we were sheltered from the wind for a time. Scoriag is an isolated off grid community with no road access, I wondered if it was a suitable working from home location. We stopped by the jetty at Scoriag for second breakfast or first lunch at about 11:00. We headed off from Scoriag across the mouth of Little Loch Broom towards the cliffs on the opposite side near Leac an […]

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 08 Sunday Ardmair Point to pebble beach on Carn Nan Sgeir (island). Keith Steer After all enjoying the evening meal arranged by Roger and Catriona most of us were up early in the morning and busy packing our boats for the second week. Around 9:00am and Ian, Catriona and Dave headed off for the car shuttle to leave a vehicle at our two finish points. Catriona could only stay for another 2 days. Frankie, Andy and I enjoyed numerous coffee`s and second breakfasts on the steep shingle point opposite Admair Campsite. We set off just before midday and headed out past the Isle of Martin and before long saw the same wind turbine that we had spotted on numerous occasions on the first day. After a couple of hours of paddle in saw Carn na Sgeir, a small island with a pebble tombolo (spit) between the two islands. We landed and enjoyed a late lunch and brew on the beach. It really was a stunning place with views all around the Summer Isles. After some discussion and consultation with the tide tables (we were on neaps) this spot proved too good an opportunity given the long shuttles and idyllic location to pass up. We decided to stay the night, having vowed never to bypass a 5-star campsite. We put up our six tends on the flat top of the pebble beach – we had great views over the water to the West and East. It did not take long to explore the small island and chatted and drank coffee until it was time to cook our evening meal. We all slept soundly that night. On our return we discovered that the next island over, Càrn Deas, was up for sale […]

LCC trip Benllech to Bull Bay Sunday 19th September by Ian O’Connor After a 5.30am alarm I was on the road at 6.00am heading to Benllech, Anglesey, to meet the rest of the 11 strong group for a paddle that Brian had kindly and meticulously arranged. On the car radio, the morning news told me that the four SpaceX “amateur” Astronauts had safely returned to Earth late on Saturday night and all was well. The Mission Director had described this as the new Space Age – four space tourists orbiting Earth 15 times per day at 360 zero gravity miles above its surface. It had cost them £145m for the pleasure. By comparison, our plan was to “orbit” 20km of Anglesey from Benllech to Bull Bay. We’d made our own butties and managed to avoid the newly hiked Anglesey car park charges! Like any well executed mission, we all arrived on time at Benllech (08.30am), unloaded the boats and made a perfect shuttle, dropping the majority of cars at Bull Bay. It was raining at this point, but the forecast for the rest of the day was good with only light winds. As planned, we were on the water by 10.00am and Brian had split us into two groups. Brian led one group and Kris the other. Brian made radio contact with Mission Control at Anglesey Coastguard to let them know our plan. During the discussion the Coastguard asked if we were going to do any exercises and Brian said we might do some towing practice. They would turn out to be prophetic words. However, it was briefing done, Coastguard informed – All Systems Go! From Benllech we headed north in perfect conditions. I was in Brian’s group, and we hugged the coastline, admiring the rock formations and enjoying the varied birdlife. I […]

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 07 Saturday Glencoul bothy To Kylesku slipway by Alan Peachment The last day; otherwise known as, the day on which everyone was on the water before Keith had started to load is boat. The last day proved the rule that there are twice as many midges in the morning as there are in the evening. They definitely know that you are in your tent and wait by the entrance for you to emerge and then descend en-masse. There were so many that our clothes shimmered as the light caught their wings. The final camp site on week 1 – looking idyllic before the midges appeared. Because of the number of midges, nobody was bothered about loitering on the beach to have breakfast. It was a case of de-camping as quickly as possible to get on the water and then eat breakfast sufficiently far offshore not to be bothered by the midges. Maybe it was because it was the last day and the desire for a lay-in, or maybe it was the midges. Whatever it was, Keith didn’t emerge from his tent until all but two of the team were on the water; with everyone on the water before he moved his boat. For those of you who know Keith, this is almost un-heard of. He always, almost without fail, is the first on the water. I am not saying that this was a factor in how quickly everyone got going on this day but….. The plan was to paddle to the end of the loch and see a magnificent waterfall which cascaded down the side of the mountain. Unfortunately, due to combination of low cloud and the fact that the waterfall didn’t actually cascade into the loch, there was very […]

Please give your consideration to the nominations for the club Awards below and vote by email to Every membership email address has one vote for each of the categories (paddler of the year / Junior Paddler of the Year and Volunteer of the Year). Family memberships have two votes (Parents x 2 or Parent and a junior family member) Please click here to view this year’s nominations and details………. Each year the club asks for nominations for our four Club Awards. Members can NOW vote for each category by sending an email to with their vote for each Category. Awards are then presented at the club’s AGM on Monday 18th October 2021

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 06 Friday loch na mols (small bay) To beach next to Glencoul bothy by Roger Morgan “My alarm went off at 6, which I duly ignored, again. Thankfully it was another day of gorgeous sunshine, marred only by the squadrons of midges flying in tight aerial formation outside the almost fully zipped flysheet; whilst they were waiting for me for breakfast, I munched whatever cereal bar I could find, to make me more nutritious and give me (and them?) energy. By now we were all slick with packing our tents sleeping bags etc., moving boats to the water’s edge, loading, swatting midges, going back for more gear, moving another boat, swatting more midges, the latter being a continual theme, where do they all come from, and get so much energy (ah!). Promptly on the water by 8, timed so that we could safely pass underneath Kylesku Bridge, where if you get it wrong your battling against 3knots of tide. Leaving our campsite at the small Loch na Mola we all started the gentle paddle eastwards up Loch a` Chairn Bhain. There was hardly any wind, it was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We gently paddled up the loch, passing under the impressive Kylesku bridge and the old slipways where the ferry used to land until the bridges opening in 1984 apparently. We landed on the n slipway where Keith thankfully boiled water for anyone that needed it, and we had elevenses, at about 9.30. (Note to self, STOP packing your cooker away where you can’t find it, duh!) Our objectives were to paddle to the head of Loch Glendhu, then Loch Glencoul both had bothies run by the Mountain bothies association (see their website for more info) remote huts or houses which offered […]

A One-way trip from Soldier’s Point to Porth Dafarch with Liverpool Canoe Club Map with GPS track (click on icons) Soldier’s point access improved since my last visit, the Skerries visible in the background. Enroute to North Stack, deceptively calm North Stack tide race ahead; it was quite confused inshore Parliament Cave, staying well away due to Seal Pupping time of year Approaching South Stack Rounding the first time And the second time Lunch stop at Porth Ruffydd Heading on to Porth Dafarch The final cave, well hardly a cave, more a narrow fissure in the rock. They went in one by one, paddles on decks, hand propulsion against the sides and disappeared. I’d already had one altercation with a rock and decided to stay outside ‘on duty’ having done enough damage for one day. Eventually they all came out backwards, obviously no room to turn around inside. An excellent paddle with LCC members – thanks for the company, arrangements and car shuttle !

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 05 Thursday Oldany Island camp at Cnoc a Mhoil Bhain to loch na mols (small bay) by Mark Benson Overnight winds had lessened when we awoke to a calmer day. However, the light breeze was still enough to keep the midges at bay (hurrah!). Catriona led us off, heading east along the south coast of Eddrachillis Bay. Initially we threaded between and around a number of small islands, meeting several seals along the way. We continued along the coast, passing in and out of the small lochs. Loch Nedd and Loch Ardbhair gave sheltered diversions and a chance for a rest. We entered Loch Ardbhair against a mild tidal flow of the outgoing tide. Some ferry glided to the far side and worked the eddies in the narrows. Finally, we continued around the last section of coast to reach Keith’s “5 star” target beach in Loch na Mola. We weren’t disappointed, though the picturesque hinterland of Lochan na Dubh Leithi threatened mosquitoes to add to the inevitable midges. The grassy camping area was not sufficient for all of us, and some camped on the shingle beach, the guy lines of their geodesic tents secured with rocks. The continuing breeze gave us time to relax and enjoy dinner but as it dropped away, so the midges emerged and some of us retreated to our tents. Frankie observed that the setting sun would make for some good photos; alerted by this, I enjoyed watching the sun set into the sea. As evening drew on the wind began to build up again. We were in for a very noisy night, wondering if our tents would hold. However, it was mainly “sound and fury”, everyone’s tent was still in place by morning and the wind […]

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 04 Wednesday Port Allan na Bradhan to Oldany Island camp at Cnoc a Mhoil Bhain via the point of Stoer and old man by Debbie Hughes Setting off from Port Allan na Bradhan it was quite overcast but good paddling conditions again. As we left Achmelvich Bay we could see Stoer Head Lighthouse in the distance. It had been visible for several days, far, far away but today was the day we would actually reach it. The tidal planning committee had to be spot on today with tidal direction and timing to get us round Stoer Head and Point of Stoer, the crux of today’s paddle. The first point of interest was the split rock near Clachtoll…A’Chlach Thuill in Gaelic, created by the slippage of a massive section of rock down the Torridonian sandstone base – spectacular seen from the sea. We continued on across small Clachtoll Bay’s sandy beaches where we think we saw the black rib belonging to the guy we met at Lochinver pie shop who had directed us to the previous night’s excellent tucked away campsite. Next across the bigger Bay of Stoer and then about four and a half kilometres further on to Geodh Gainmhich, and a tiny beach where we stopped to refuel before tackling the committing part of our day’s paddle. Keith shouting “don’t get swept round the point” made us all concentrate on staying close in to reach the landing point. It felt like a very remote spot, but the road was only a short distance from the top of the cliff. Back on the water after second breakfast we were out and round the point with the lighthouse high above us in no time. The water was gently bouncy for the […]

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 03 Tuesday Garvie Bay to Port Allan na Bradhan via Lochinver by Andy Garland I awoke, peered out of my tent, and started counting the midges. When I got to twenty million gadzillion I decided that an ample dosing of Deet and a midge net was a good way to start the day. The tent was un-erected (is that a word?) and gear packed in the boat before all my new midgy mates had had a chance to fully introduce themselves. I sought solace on the water and watched bemused as Roger of Wales assembled his 3-piece kayak (does the pointy section go in the middle or at the end?). Once all the group were in their boats we paddled north – the sun shone, the scent of heather drifted over the water and the towering monoliths of the Sutherland mountains provided a stunning backdrop. What more could anyone want? Well, the answer to that question is simple…we wanted pies, lots of pies. By an amazing coincidence the best pie shop in the known universe lay only a few kilometres away – The Lochinver Larder (AKA Lochinver Pie Shop). We landed right outside the Pie Shop (I mean right outside – within 4 meters of the entrance) and availed ourselves of their delicious pastry wrapped offerings. While scoffing pies, we got chatting to a local fella who divulged some local knowledge about a good bay for seal watching and a hidden gem of a campsite. Once again, we set off to paddle north, accompanied only by the odd crumb of pastry on our lips and the occasional belch of Steak and Ale pie. After around 5km we entered the narrow entrance of Loch Roe – the seal watching location that […]

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles Day 02 Monday Tanera More Island to Garvie Bay via Isle Ristol and Rubha Na Coigeach (headland) by Ian Bell With the weather looking good, the majority of us were ready around the target time of 9:00am. One or two were a little slower than this, as they faced the challenges of getting everything back into the boat after the first night’s camp. After the usual cursing and swearing, we were all eventually packed and ready on the water. In reality, it did not really matter this day, as there were no tide windows that needed to be met. We all set off from Anchorage Bay on Tanera More, heading on a course north, that would take us around Isle of Ristol. Keith had identified a beach here which was a possible campsite, so we used it as our elevenses stop. We then continued North around the Rubha Na Coigeach headland, exploring as we went and keeping an eye on the open sea to our left for any possible sightings of wildlife. Although there were a couple of possibilities, we did not have any confirmed sightings of any big mammals. We did see seals and plenty of seagulls. Once around Ruba Na Coigean, we stated to think about a camping option for the evening. We knew of the commercial caravan site at Achnahaird and that the beach here would be a very long carry, landing and lunching at low water. Being on spring tides we would need to camp high on the beach that night. We identified Garvie Bay as a better option. This is a small sandy bay just round the next small headland. On arrival, we found that there were several day-trippers enjoying this idyllic beach and the excellent […]

Many thanks for taking part in this year’s Event. Next Event – Sunday 17th July 2022 Full results / photos and details of next year`s event are now on our website – just click the appropriate links.  If you have any feedback or comments to make next years event even better, please email them in. https://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/hilbre/ Sunday 12th September 2021 Full list of all results and times….  Hilbre Race (13km) 8.7m Tide  Little Eye Race (9km) West Kirby Race (4km)  1st Racing Ski Nigel jones  1st Kayak Simon Witcher 1st Junior Kayak Poppy Clews (12)  1st Performance Race Ian Makkison  2nd Kayak Derek Connolly 2nd Junior Kayak Oliver Groom (9)  1st Sea Kayak James Shrimpton  3rd Kayak Brian Green 3rd Junior Kayak Ella Clews (15)  2nd Sea Kayak Max Pipe  3rd Sea Kayak Mark Martindale  1st Double Sea Kayak Isaac and Al Pipe  1st Female Sea Kayak Helen Marriott  Highest LCC member Andy Rowley

2021 Scottish Sea Kayaking Trip to the Summer Isles     LCC Home News items or reports on club activities should be sent to Archived Newsletters  Major Trip Reports.… This year’s trip was organised as two separate weeks but both starting from the same campsite at Ardmair Point. This would enable people to paddle for either or both of the weeks and allowed for greater flexibility. Week 1 headed North around the Point of Stoer to Kylesku Bridge. Week 2 saw us head South around Rua Reidh to Gairloch and Charlestown. We enjoyed fantastic summer conditions again. On both occasions we were self-sufficient and camped out of our boats. The Paddlers Alan P, Andy G, Catriona H, Debbie H, Frankie A, Ian B, Mark B, Keith S, Roger M, David G Ardmair Point Holiday Park Ardmair Point is one of Scotland’s most beautifully situated holiday centres. Located 3 miles North of the fishing village of Ullapool, Ardmair offers both self-catering holiday accommodation and a caravan or camping park with excellent facilities. On one side of the peninsular is the location of the self-catering holiday accommodation including lodges, chalets and a holiday home. All are situated just above the beach and command stunning views over the sea to the mountains beyond. On the other side of the peninsular separated from the self-catering holiday accommodation is the touring caravan or camping park with most of the pitches having spectacular views. The Park has excellent facilities and including an on-site café serving a range of meals and cakes. https://www.ardmair.com/ Day 01 Sunday Ardmair point to Tanera More (island) via Horse Island & Tanera Beg island by Frankie Annan Or alternately the day of car shuttles and buffalo girls…… Waking to a midgy misty morning we quickly loaded (threw) gear into the cars to transfer […]