I’ve been unfaithful………I’ve been exploring other areas!!!
A wee mid week paddle to Loch Etive to visit and stay over at Cadderlie Bothy.
Launched at Taynuilt and headed on our 4 mile paddle. Tad on the windy side on the way out and the biggest waves I’ve encountered yet…..all good fun.
Fuel: Surrounding woodland.
Altitude: 17 mts
Bike friendly : 10/10
Pics from the trip……..
The paddle in
The Bothy
Paddle out
Saturday morning and again I was heading to Loch Eck. This time with a purpose…to find a spot for a nights camping. There’s a couple of large beaches on the Loch,but was looking for something different.
Also wanted to try out my new stove ( Vango Ultralite,73gms) ,have had it for ages and testing it in the garage just isn’t the same.
The beach has great views and usually has on side that’s sheltered from any wind, or the options to head into the trees.
After the beach stop I headed North to the River Cur just to give the arms a work out…….looks like alligator territory up there!!!!
Whilst paddling I did notice some areas of the dreaded Japanese Knotweed growing!!! Having received an email from a member of the local walking group to record any locations I got some pictures and reported back. Hopefully the organised group will be able to treat and eradicate the problem on the shores.
Looking forward to the next visit to this beach……maybe even with the tent.
Oh,almost forgot. 360 degree video of beach
Well after admiring this lighthouse from afar for decades, tonight was the night to pay it a visit. Headed out with Martin ‘Mears’ for an evening paddle.
Leaving the shore of the West Bay we crossed paths with the Clyde Charity Swimmers,in training for this years crossing of the Clyde.
A nice easy paddle with a slight swell at times, including waves off a cruise liner that was visiting the Holy Loch earlier in the day. Most of the paddling I’ve done has been in fresh water lochs so this was a pleasant change.
Fortunate enough to have the company of some porpoise and seals on our short journey, the porpoise coming close on a few occasions.
Unfortunately phone died so a distinct lack of pictures.
Gantocks
Clyde Charity Swimmers
A paddle on Loch Eck was well overdue,roughly 7 months was the last time I paddled here. With a new vehicle sourced and a roof rack fitted last weekend,there was no holding me back ( well work and weather permitting,ha).
Loch Eck it was !!! Loaded up after work and took the 20 minute drive north of Dunoon. Loch Eck has a number of possible launch points and there’s usually at least one that’s sheltered from the worst of any wind. I chose to launch at the north end of the Loch at Dornoch Bay. With no set plans I decided to paddle south to Jubilee Point then cross the Loch and return on the west side passing the ruin of Stuck Farmhouse.
In the short time I had on the water I think I spent more time taking photos than I did paddling ,but in the conditions it’d have been rude not to.
Seen this notice board down the West Bay,Dunoon. Judging by these times I’ll always be a beginner,ha.
Interesting trail with stunning scenery.
Another great cycle. Heading out on forestry roads and returning on main roads.
10 ish Miles.
Whilst I’m not a great fan of cycling on main roads, at the time the route worked for me. Again, there’s plenty of options of start/finish/turning points if you want to extend/shorten the route ( Kilbride car park,Ardanadam etc).
I chose to start at the top of a John Street in Dunoon. Easy access onto the forestry road which pretty much climbs all the way till your above Dunan.
There’s some great views over the town before you take a left where the road splits,climbs and continues through a gate up to Dunan. There’s a mast on the bottom side of the road but continue straight ahead on the new section of link road.
View over Dunoon and beyond,prior to where road splits
It’s an easy cycle from the mast and your soon ‘bombing’ downhill till you come to a signposted junction. Here I took a left for Glenkin opting out of the shorter Sandbank route.
Navigational aid
After turning left a small climb to the brow of the hill, giving views over Hunters Quay and Strone.
Hunters Quay and Strone
At the time I cycled this section there was quite a bit of forestry activity, so it was necessary to dismount at the loading lorries and move on when prompted by the drivers. Didn’t fancy my chances against a couple of ton of timber swinging about!
Recently harvested timber
Once through the ‘active site’ there was a great view down the Holy Loch and Ardanadam pier.
From here it’s pretty much down hill all the way to the B836. Again there’s a sign post at the next junction offering some navigation help. The Glenkin option is roughly and additional 6 miles if you fancy adding another loop.
The Glenkin 6 Mile route. The signposted junction is just left of the text for Finbracken Hill. So uphill at junction for the whole Glen or downhill for the B836
Heading downhill for the B836 there’s a sweeping bend to the right, follow this to the rumbling bridge. The road to left is the middle road that takes you to the Glenkin Outdoor centre and continues to top of Glen through two Fords.
Looking up Glenkin from right hand bend
Downhill to B836
Once on the B836, it’s down to the junction of the A815, turning right for Dunoon. Nice easy road miles,one climb on the High Road at the primary school.
Another cycle that can be done in a few hours. For me,after work or early
morning. With plenty of scope to add/subtract miles.
A great cycle with few climbs.
10 (ish) miles all in. Forestry road and main road.
Completed this cycle one night after work, taking advantage of the lighter nights we now have.
Leaving from Kilbride car park following the forestry road, a quite straight forward route. The first climb of significance is from where the road splits to the new link road and bridge. Continuing straight on you wind up the hill and follow it as it switches back carrying on climbing till you get to the bench overlooking Dunoon. There’s also the option of a wee downhill track returning to the forestry road if you want a short cycle. Note, this is a shared track with other users.
Continuing heading South is enjoyable and the climb above Ardhallow isn’t to bad. Just before the climb there’s the chance to look North towards Dunoon for a great view through the trees.
Continuing to the quarry which has recently been active there are more great views over the Firth of Clyde.
Finally before the descent to main road a view over Innellan and surroundings.
As you continue south the road splits. Turning right takes you out to Auchafour at Toward, but today’s journey was destined for Innellan, taking a left down hill. The descent to Innellan doesn’t take long with one more turn to the left, through a gate which takes you to the reservoir at the Golf Club continuing to Wyndham Rd.
From the forestry road turn left onto main road , past the school and down Royal Brae. Before you start your return you can get refreshments from the local shop, or a choice of two premises selling meals and stronger refreshments!! The return is easy, especially if the wind is behind you and you can be back in Dunoon in no time.
A great after work or a ‘few hours spare’ cycle that gives great views. Always the option for adding more miles or returning on the forestry road if you like.
Bishops Seat,504 mts
Approx 6 miles,taking about 3 hours.
Having to stay local till I find another mode of transport is a good excuse to do a hill I never tire of. Finally on one of my many walks to the Bishops seat,the weather was good enough to get the camera out !!
A walk from the Bishops Glen to the Bishops Seat on a clear and dry day. Made all the better by the covering of snow on the higher tops of Cowal and beyond. Even tried the HD video function on my bridge camera to give a rough idea of the route,especially through the wind blown trees that now obstruct what was once a clear break in the trees.
A few pics from the walk………..
And the video of route………….
…… and so is work,well winter standby.
A quiet few months, a few wee walks and cycles but nothing really worth blogging about.
So hopefully after a rather damp winter season, spring will bring dry clear days for getting out and about.
Headed out to Glen Kinglas to test out my wee video camera. Sadly it rained for the 14 miles!!!
Explore Cowal 