The original plan with Zoe and Gary, was to finish off the 90km of paddling on Skye, from last years journey. But looking at forecast the West was getting it bad, with gale force winds. While the East had much lighter wind and was looking dryer. After a couple of emails we decided on Inverness to Wick, about 140km, not much tide and coastline non of us have paddled before. What also made it workable was that the A99/A9 ran along the coast and two buses back to the start. I was looking forward to paddling with both Zoe and Gary again, who had recently achieved the BCU UKCC 4 star leader award. Well done both!
We used tidal info from the chart for the area, but have since realised the super Pesda Press books now have a sea kayaking guide book for the area, which I'm sure would have been very helpful.
We started down at the beginning (or the end) of the Caledonian Canal, which had good free parking and a pub close by and looked like a 30 minute walk from where a bus would return. While packing our sea kayaks, a couple of guys walked over and chatted. One of the guys sailed and he said ' when its wet and windy on the West coast its dry and bright on the East, but the reverse would also seem to be the same'. We hoped the forecast would hold and his words would prove to be true!
Passing Chanonry Point below ... in super calm conditions, but no dolphins. Apparently they tend to be seen more on the Flood, rather than the ebb.
I had over 100 photos so I've tried to limit and allow the photos to tell the story ...
It was largely a rocky coastline with few landing places, (more in the first two days). Features began to increase the further north we went.
Crossing from Tarbat Ness and North to Brora and an attractive little village with a co op, cafe and more ...
Now the coastline started to get dramatic, with waterfalls, big cliffs, caves, geo's, arches and stacks of sea birds. Many Black Gilimots, Eider Ducks and a new one for me - long tailed ducks ...
The needle, as it was named was a super stack and with the light, shinning straight into the cliffs and the wind, blowing us along, it was a magic moment ...
Further along the coast a waterfall was being blown by the wind and the water was wrapping around a buttress and a lovely rainbow sparkled in front of me ...
Gary having a wash under one of the many waterfalls ...
This amazing tunnel we nearly missed, as it was only when we looked back and we saw the light shinning through ... we just had to turn and explore ...
We arrived in Wick late afternoon after 4 and a bit days paddling and found a suitable place to leave the kayaks and walked into town, for fish and chips. However, this proved to be one of the initial challenging elements of the trip, as we found two but they had closed at 7pm ;( .... a Wetherspoons saved the day and provided good liquid refreshment.
Next morning Gary got the bus back to Inverness, which involved two buses and a 3 hour journey and by all accounts was straight forward... while Zoe and my self tucked into a good Scottish breakfast, again at Wetherspoons!
Gary was back after a total of 6 hours and kayaks were up on the grass and kit had been dried in the sunshine. What now? We decided to drive the short distance to John o Groats, as none of us had been there before and visit the light house at Duncansby Head and a super view across to the Orkneys.
It was great paddling with both Zoe and Gary again and their recent success with achieving the 4 star leader sea award, was clearly evident with both looking skilled.
The East coast had blown us all away and was the perfect location, in the conditions we had W/SW winds from f3-f6. The further North we paddled the more committing the coastline became, with reefs extending out, many boomers and landing's less frequent as well as suitable camp spots. People were top friendly, interested in what we were doing and camping in a harbour, seemed ok.
I know one thing I will be back to East coast and hopefully next time we will see the 100 plus dolphins that are resident in the area ...
Roger
www.coastalspirit.com
info@coastalspirit.com
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