Welcome to our sea kayaking trip blog: our own, personal views of the trips we paddle and the experiences we have.

It was so cold out there in December that I went looking for some of my favourite images from 2009 to keep me warm on the inside. Hover your mouse over the images to see where they are; click to see a larger version of each.

Wishing you Happy Paddling in 2010!

Congratulations to local paddlers Gill Barnsley and Adam Richards. The two of them have successfully completed British Canoe Union Coach Level 3 Sea Kayak Assessments with Glenmore Lodge (Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre) this month. They should both have their certificates tucked into log books as confirmation by now.

Despite already holding the old BCU 4 Star Sea award, Gill completed the new BCU 4 Star Leadership Award (training & assessment) in preparation for her Level 3 Coaching Assessment.

Gill Barnsley in the mist
BCU Coach Level 3 Sea

Adam Richards in the middle
BCU Coach Level 3 Sea

Adam works as an instructor at the local outdoor education centre Kilbowie and can be seen above right (centre of the picture) as the first person in a line tow heading back to Port Appin. With a bit of luck I’ll be able to get a picture of him facing the camera by the end of the year.

As for me, I’ve now completed the intensive training schedule that allows me to work towards BCU Coach Level 5 Assessment. The picture below shows me using fingers and thumbs in an attempt to count that high (it’ll be an interesting journey).

Colin McWilliams in no particular hurry
BCU Coach Aspirant Level 5 Sea
Image courtesy Mike Ortiz

If you’re in the Oban area in 2010 you’ll more than likely see the three of us out on that water at some point. Gill and Adam are easily recognised by their incorrigible smiles; me I tend to be the one squinting and frowning into the sun.

Happy training and assessing... wherever you choose to paddle.

As we scampered down the spectacular Scottish North East coast (July 2008), Rowland and I were pretty determined to return for a more leisurely look at the cliffs, caves, stacks and arches on offer. September 5th found us back there this year.

Five of us hired a wee farm cottage about twenty minutes drive from the N & NE coast either side of Duncansby Head, the plan being a week’s crook & cranny snurgeling.

Two days lost to bad weather (high winds) didn’t even dint our enthusiasm given the quality of the paddling on water and what’s more it’s left us a little something to go back for.

The cliffs are tall and with few landing zones, even the shortest paddles should be considered committing. Harbours and Geos are your put ins/take outs to the deep caves, tall stacks and gazoynkle arches that turn even the shortest paddles into welcomed long days. With something new around every small point, your neck cranes up that often you’re in danger of cricking it. You’ll never forgive yourself if you forget your camera and you’ll be looking for a big torch after cave exploration day one.

On top of all that you get to do the John O’Groats thing once you’ve rounded Duncansby Head.

It’s a fantastic area to paddle in, all the more so for its small boat herring fishing heritage (just scraping the surface of the way things used to be may well have you thinking twice before you bemoan our modern day, soft living).

Just remember it’s not the place to be after a two day introduction to sea kayaking. You need to know what you are doing. This coastline is not the place to be practicing or even honing navigation, risk assessment, tidal water and rescue or close manoeuvring skills.

It should all be solidly in place or, at the very least, you should be in the company of someone who has all of the above and is happy with you being part of the team.

If you get the chance go see for yourself but remember first and foremost stay safe.

The 11th of July was one of the hottest days of the year. Exactly one month later we must have experienced one of the wettest. The rain was that heavy as we sat in Corran Halls car park, 11th of August we decided to call the whole thing off until tomorrow – Wednesday 12th.

Sitting at the Taynuilt put in, ready to head on up into Loch Etive, Emma pointed out “ on a good day, we may even be able to see the mountains”.

Someone must have been listening because, despite the rain, the cloud began to break as we paddled up into the loch.

Was it wet... yes... very!

Did the girls enjoy it? Pictures? Words? Better than?