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Caithness Kayak Club |
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Kayak trip to Eilean Nan Ron
Last Friday 7 members of Caithness Kayak Club travelled west to undertake the first sea-touring event of the 2006 season. The route was to paddle out from Skerray Harbour to the deserted isle of Eilean Nan Ron ( Island of the seals), set up camp and then paddle around the isle on the Saturday before returning to Skerray via Neave Island. All the camping gear was stowed into the kayak hatches and expedition leader Bill Bruce along with his wife Ros led the way in their double Kayak, Gary Henstridge and Matthew Sutherland the two youths in the group followed with the remaining 3 members taking up the rear. The crossing conditions were challenging and the group were glad to get into the lee side of Eilean Nan Ron after two miles of fairly hard paddling. The sight of the sheer cliff’s rising above above us took the breath away, however this was nothing compared to entering an enclosed lagoon through a magnificent arch that stretched for 20 metres. We then proceeded along the South side of the island to the harbour, the entrance to which entails you having to paddle through another natural arch, although this time the entrance was only about 4 metres wide and as the tide was high we could pull ourselves through using the ceiling of the arch. We then exited the harbour and paddled to the geo where we were to go ashore. Once we were all beached, we unpacked all our kit and climbed up the goat track to the plateau above the beach where we set up camp. Once the tents were up we headed back to the beach for a well deserved supper around the campfire before retiring for the night. The next morning got under way with a breakfast fit for a King, then it was off to explore the Island on foot and to have a look at the sea conditions on the North side of the Island. We were amazed at the number of crevices and blow holes on the NE side of the island and you had to keep your wits about you, however the ruggedness and features of the island were awe inspiring. Tide and time wait for no man and so with reluctance we headed back to break camp and catch the tide. Due to the boiling pot conditions on the North side of the Island Bill wisely opted for an exporation of the geo’s on the South and SW side of the island, before we then caught the Easterly going tide to take us to Neave Island which lies just to the East of Skerray harbour. Although the tide was with us the swell was bigger than most of the paddlers had seen and once again proved challenging. In no time we were approaching Neave and we paddled to the South side, to put in at a very remote and picturesk beach for a well earned spot of lunch. Getting onto the beach was exciting as the kayakers had to contend with a dumping surf, however there were no mishaps and everyone made it although both youths wanted to have another go at the landing. After lunch the older members of the group were entertained by Gary and Mathew playing in the surf. We then set out to expore Neave Island to try to find the ruins of an early Christian settlement which one of the locals had advised us were on the island. After a thorough examination of the island no ruins were found and once again it was time to go. Exiting the beach proved every bit as exciting as getting onto it but once again all the kayakers made it without mishap, after a short paddle we were back at Skerray Harbour. During the trip as well as seeing the usual gulls and terns we spotted several pairs of Great Skua’s, snipe and two seals. The expedition was only possible for the younger members due a grant from “Awards for All” which enabled the club to buy specialist sea- touring kayaks, as these have replaced older kayaks and now allow the club to once again undertake such trips. |
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