Coastal Spirit and The Roof of Britain...the next instalment.....

Day 9. 16th April. Smoo Cave to Durness, minus 3km.

Getting out of a hole! Smoo Cove turned out to be a bit of a trap for us: accessible only at high tide and when the surf is small. Pounding waves were breaking across the entrance as the surf was 7-9ft. No way out by sea. Another solution was called for. On the way back to the hostel we spotted a van with roof rack and a trailer by a house. Five minutes later we had arranged that our hero Wily would transport out boats back along the shore to a small surf beach at Durness. We just had to carry them up the steep steps at Smoo first! And note we went backwards... No holes in this trip! At last we were good for go!

Day 10. 27th April, Durness to Neave Island.

This was a truly awesome day sea kayaking. Big, big swell and sunshine were the flavours making up one of the best days ever! We started off launching our ice-covered boats into 6ft surf - Anita took a big one and nearly went vertical!

Once we were out to sea the snowy mountains made a perfect backdrop to the sparking aquamarine waves. We detoured into Loch Eriboll to kill some time before hitting Whiten Head about an hour before slack. The swell out at the headland was about 9ft with superimposed smaller waves. Conditions were fun, fun, fun and still the sun shone! :) Whiten Head has amazing sea stacks and was a warm golden colour in the sunshine.

A late lunch stop on a sandy beach on Rabbit Island before pushing onto Neave Island, a 5* campsite (max) on Anita and Sarah's scale. The sun set on the sandy beach and we all had big, big smiles.

Day 11. 28th April.

"Early start from picteuresque Coomb Isl. - we are on the water heading for Farr Point at 5.30 am.

Headland - hopping to Ardmore Point, we are on course for Strathy Point! Its a beautiful morning with winds lighter than the 4 Bft. predicted, and the swell a bit less than yesterday. About 4 km's from Strathy Point we see water spouts ahead of us.. Dolphins!? The fins look quite big even from a distance and seem to be coming straight towards us.. They pass us and suddenly Roger who is closest, shouts "Orcas, they are Orcas!!". What anamazing sight! And a first for all of us.
We pass the lighthouse at Strathy Point and head towards Portskerra. Westwind picks up now, pushing us towards the Nuclear Power Station. At the slowest speed ever - we pass. Brims Ness onto the impressive cliffs on the coast to Holbourn Head. Hail and sunshine mix - crazy weather!
After a long day afloat - 52 km - we find a site by the riversmouth. Landing and setting up camp in wind and rain - as Roger and Anita get the tarp up and supper gets going, life starts to look a bit more comfortable.

Now in Thurso, we have grown to really like this friendly town and its Café Tempest! We are sorting ourselves, shopping waterproof socks, drying kit in the F 5 wind and stocking up for the next lap - Dunnet Head and Pentland Firth. looking good for Friday! "

Sea Kayaking Holiday - Isle of Skye

This years Costal Spirit sea kayaking holiday was to the Isle of Skye, with quality self catering accommodation as our base.  Hot showers, comfy beds and good food ...  Andy and Tracy, Douglas, Ann, Rob and Marion (from Ireland), with Sonja in support made up the team.  

Five days sea kayaking with a day off to use as you wished and the week's weather forecast was looking fairly good.  The first day we set of for Macleod's Maidens, on the West coast and although in the distance we spotted two eagles (later i was informed that two sea eagles were nesting in the area).  There was a good ground swell running, so despite light winds we couldn't get in close ... but the light was fantastic ...

The following day was set for Loch Currisk and Soay island if the winds behaved!!  Looking into the Cullin's

We found a magic little beach and after some lunch walked over to the Loch ...

That evening we were treated to a super sunset from the window of our accommodation .. ;)

Day 3 and the Northerly headland of Rubha Hunish was the plan.  Conditions were magic, with the Outer Hebrides, seen clearly in the distance.  The sea had that oily calm and visibility under the surface, was stunning.  It was a magic paddle and we managed to get in close early on and explore some caves and channels.  The rock structure was super ...

While we came round to the East coast a gentle swell was picking up and this reef provide a few exciting runs ...

The weather was now on the turn, but hey three magic days on Skye, had already been had.  Kyle Atkin towards Plockton and back and a few down wind circuits working on stern rudders ... and more use of body to direction ...  and our best two otter sighting, which must have been a good 10-15 minutes ...

Day off and I fancied a surf or to see if there was any ... Tracy and Marion were keen to join me and we had a few gentle runs ... I paddled the P&H Hammer which I really enjoyed.  Its very deep so its very different from what I've paddled before, in relation to a sea kayak.  More time needed in some bigger conditions ...

One of the four self catered team meals ... and fantastic it was ...

Friday our last day, saw a solid F6/7 descending on us.  We headed across to Dunvagen and  it soon became clear we were not going to leave the bay today.  Down wind circuits using trim to assist with turning into and away from the wind and some super surfing action from all ...

The following morning we said our good byes and Sonja and myself headed off to find alternative accommodation.  The next few days had more wind and rain so we managed to get a small self catering cottage and I got a paddle in round the Point of Sleat and we got a paddle in together round Neist point and back.  It was topped by sighting a BIG 3.5 mt bottle nosed dolphin, mellowly feeding as we watched on ... a top finish to an amazing week ..

Details on the above sea kayaking holiday can be found here and keep your eyes open for next years Isle of Skye and our Connemara sea kayaking holiday.

Roger

Roger Chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
Level 5 coach sea

Anglesey sea kayaking courses
+
North Wales specialist sea kayaking

Sea Kayaking Holiday - Isle of Skye, May 2014

6 days, with 5 days sea kayaking and one day off and based from a high quality self catering accommodation.  

Cost:  £700      

Places:  One double and one single room currently available  

Client/Leader Ratio 1:3  with Sonja and Roger

10-17th May 2014

InterMediate to InterMediate plus.

Neist Point above

This is your chance to experience a five day guided sea kayaking holiday, with the fabulous scenery of Scotland's West Coast, a real classic of the Inner Hebrides and Scotland's 3rd tourist destination.   And its not surprising as Skye's sea scape and coastline is truly stunning with arches caves, majestic cliffs, head lands, islands and tide races.  Paddle to Loch Coruisk and stand below the Cullins, or Neist Point and see McLeod's Maidens and many arches and caves, or paddle round Rubha Hunish, the most northerly point on Skye.  To name just a few locations, while keeping your eyes open for Golden Eagles, Otters, Porpoises and Dolphins ...

McLeod's Maidens in the descending light ..

Loch Bracadale and Dolphins in the evening light .. magic!

Previous sea kayaking experience is required with all of our Holidays, Journeys and Expeditions, this means that you get the most from this experience. You will be paddle fit and have done a minimum of 12 days sea kayaking in the last year (from May 2013 to April 2014).  You also need to be able to paddle in larger swell, able to cover a minimum distance of 25k and paddle in winds of Beaufort f4/16 knots ... this means you get more from your time on the water. 

As with all of our courses if the conditions are not suitable, then we will look for an alternative venue, shorten the distance, work on specific skills or not paddle. having the day off allows us to be flexible and use this on a windy day if required.

A total of six days with five days sea kayaking, one day off and based from a comfortable luxury self catering accommodation, which is available form Saturday to Saturday. We will eat out twice during the week, and in on 4 nights. A meal rota will be arranged before hand so that in teams of two, people cook for just one night for the group. For the last night a jointly prepared buffet style meal will bring the week to a close. 

If you are able to use your car and assist with shuttles during this week you get a £20 reduction from the overall cost of the course - this can only be claimed once, per couple or car. 

Looking into The Cullins, on the last day ...

The location of our accommodation is fairly perfect and allows good access to the faster roads, sheltered paddles if needed and Kyle Rhea, Skye's main tide race. At the end of each day you can enjoy a good meal in a comfortable setting and a hot shower (see photos below).  Before snuggling down in your duvet and comfortable bed.  If you enjoy a roof over your head and sea kayaking in equal measure, this sea kayaking holiday is for you.

To view some photos and my Blog from a similar sea kayaking holiday to the Isle of Mull in 2013, click on this link and for later on in the week, from this link

For more information or to book your place email me on info@coastalspirit.com

Thanks, Roger

Sea kayaking holiday Isle of Skye