Moidart May 2002

Leaving the jetty at the top end of Loch Ailort, the flotilla followed the tide down the loch in sunshine and good spirits. After a break on the shore at Roshven, the coast was followed for several kilometres and landfall made to the South. This was to be our campsite for the next two nights. The 'judges' gave the place very high marks for Artistic Impression and Technical Merit was only spoiled by the water supply being a dribble from the crags behind rather than a sparkling burn. At the day's end, a pair of otters hunted the channel in the gloaming as the sun set behind Eigg.

Heading south the following day across the mouth of Loch Moidart's orth Channel, we saw and heard a Great Northern Diver making the 'loon' sounds that gives the bird it's name in North America. After a quick look into the bay at Ardtoe, some of the party felt a strong urge to explore Kentra Bay, while others were drawn to the sandy beaches below Torr Beithe. The group re-assembled for lunch and a spot of sunbathing out of the freshening wind. We retraced our route as far as the entrance to the South Channel and then turned eastwards. Breeze and tide carried us to the ruins of the 14C Castle Tioram. We pulled out and explored what parts of the ramparts were accessible to us. Sadly, entrance to the castle is now barred. Its fate awaits the outcome of an appeal to the recent public enquiry: a choice between private dwelling house and 'ruins in a landscape'.

Leaving the castle, we continued around Eilean Shona and Shona Beag and returned to our campsite via the North Channel. Two hours after high (neap) tide there was still plenty of water in the channel north of Shona Beag

On the water by 0930 the following morning, we reversed the route of two days previously in increasingly warm sunshine. The halfway point fell conveniently for a stop on Eilean nan Gobhar (Goat I.). After an early lunch, we climbed to its highest point to examine the remains of an ancient vitrified fort. Drifts of primroses, violets and bluebells testified to the absence of the island's namesake and showed what Highland flora can look like if ruminant teeth are absent.

The return to our start point marked the end of a weekend in which weather, company and location had conspired to produce a memorable trip.

Tony Laidler, Tour organiser