St Kilda
9 to 16 July 2000

This trip had been set out on my chart for many years and this year the opportunity came along when one of the Stornoway Canoe Club members, Mike Sullivan said that he had an ambition to kayak to St Kilda.

So from then on we were fired up for this trip and a training trip was done in June across the Minch to the Isle of Skye then from Skye to Stornoway to get a feel for the distance and the open sea.

On the 9th July a high pressure started moving north with a weather front expected to skirt by on the 12th and a decision was taken to try that week. I crossed the Sound of Harris on Tuesday with Donnie, another paddling friend, to meet up with Mike.

That evening we packed our kayaks on the beach at Griminish point, and at 8.00pm with well laden kayaks we set off into the unknown, paddling into a SW-4 wondering what was yet to come.

As Haskier Island got closer we wondered what the landing would be like. We made a landing on the low part on the east side of the Island without too much difficulty. After setting our kayaks on a safe ledge we set up camp on the grassy slope not too far from the landing area.

Wednesday 12th - 0048 forecast NW-3-4 occ 5 - forecast at 0535 no change. We had a coffee before making our way up to the lighthouse to survey weather conditions. The dark clouds and the strongbreeze put the trip on hold til the next forecast at l2OO.

The shipping forecast at 1200 gave NW 3-4 occ 5, hopefully the next day would improve.

Thursday 13th - 0535 NW 34 occ 5 - where was our high pressure? The forecast in the sea area south of us was variable 1-3. We went up to the lighthouse once again and got our first sighting of St Kilda.

Our local Met. man in Stornoway provided good news when we contacted him. He said the wind would ease in the afternoon. We wondered whether to go now and trust his judgement; we decided to wait for the 1200 forecast.

The forecast was disappointing but the Met. man assured us it would ease overnight, so another night was to be had on Haskier.

Friday, 14th - 0535 forecast NW 3-4 occ 5 in the north decreasing NW 2-3. One look out of the tent door told us the weather had changed. We headed for the lighthouse to make our decision.

St Kilda, E.T.A. 1800hrs.

At last it was good to be at sea again. Conditions were good NW 2-3 with 6ft ground swell. Two hours paddling, 15mins break, 12 miles out and our target came into view. We were in sunshine but St Kilda was still overcast.

Dolphins and pilot whales were spotted on the trip across. The crossing was excellent and on nearing the Islands the north going tide took us towards Boreray. The sun was now shining on the Islands and I could not think of a better place to be.

Kayaking into village bay was magical, and by 1750 we were stepping ashore on the beach by the pier to the amazement of some.

First stop was a cold beer in the Puff-inn, then as we were eating our evening meal at the pier, Mike acquired a lift for us up to Conachair in a Landover where we took lots of photographs. lt was back to the Puff-inn before settling down for the night.

Saturday 15th - Coastguard Forecast NE 2-3-4, in the afternoon outlook Sunday NE 3-4. A choice of two head winds.

No rest day! It was time to pack up and go before the wind freshened; I was slow in getting going, reluctant to leave such a place.

It was 0900 when we departed St Kilda, E.TA. for Haskeir 2200.

Expecting the wind to freshen later, the sea was a bit lumpy leaving. After getting off the banks it settled. At times on the way back the wind did freshen but not for long.

We stopped to let a large tanker pass in the late afternoon. The north going tide had us on a more southerly heading again.

At 2000 we were once more stepping ashore on Haskeir; we reported in to the Coastguard and watched the sun set over St. Kilda before turning in for the night.

Sunday 16th - set off for Griminish point where Guy Jackson, Uist Canoe Club, gave us a lift to Berneray. We met up with some of the Stornoway Club and we all set off to meet up with family and friends at Leverburgh after a great adventure.

Mike Sullivan and Murdo Campbell