The weather forecast for Saturday morning was looking not too bad, despite gale force winds of 50-80mph forecast for later on Saturday evening into Sunday. Storm "Dave" would be making itself felt across much of Scotland. Looking at the various forecasts, I knew if I was going to get a paddle in, I needed to be off the water by 12:00. The winds and rain would start picking up from noon onwards. I had already decided to head for Kilcreggan Cafe as a) it's a good distance, b) an interesting paddle and c) there is Coffee and Cake!! The only pitfall to my plan would see me against the wind and tide on the way out of Gare Loch. In fact, once out of Gare Loch, I'd be against the tide all the way to Kilcreggan.
Setting off at 08:30, not long after low water I had "Police Boat 1" for company. "Police Boat 1" were also heading out of Gare Loch. It took a fair while for their wake to catch me up, but when it did I had some fun surfs on their wash.
GPS track
With the low tide, Perch Rock was still visible above the water line. A first for me as usually it is well below the surface, with only its yellow warning bouy visible. There were a few seals on Perch rock, but on seeing me approach, even though I was still a long way off, they all took to the water. I guess they are not too use to kayakers hereabouts. I circumnavigated the rock, so I can claim a point or two in the Performance Sea Kayak 2026 Thousand Islands competition and took some piccies.
Heading around the corner at Rosneath Point, I looked forward to having no wind in the face. But no, the wind was still slap bang in my face. I guess thats headlands for you - the wind (and tide) does do strange things around headlands.
I battled on, at times feeling like I was hardly making any progress. Eventually though, as Kilcreggan came into view, the excellent prospect of having a good coffee and cake at the Kilcreggan Cafe was not very far away.
On my return, I decided to head across to Helensburgh. I was surprised to see a few yachts moored off the Rhu Marina. The occupants were going to be in for a very windy rocky night. I guess being in the Clyde estuary offers some protection. But even so, with the approaching storm "Dave" forecast, I don't think I'd like the prospect of battening down the hatches and having, I am sure, a rough bouncy sleepless night.
Back through Rhu Narrows and into Gare Loch, I was once again joined by the Police Boat. Well, I assume it was the same one(?). Unfortunately for me, he was well past me, when he opened up his engine creating a big wake. It would have been fun to get some surfing on that, if only I'd been a few minutes earlier. As it was, I was flying along with the wind and tide now behind me. From Rhu Point to my slipway, I was paddling along between 5 and 6 knots (sometimes more). As I approached the slipway, the heavy rain, as forecast, started.
Fab paddle (great coffee and excellent cake)
11.5 nm 3 hour 13 minutes
Photos
