First "official" Helensburgh Canoe Club trip of 2026 paddling on Loch Lomond from Luss. The trip was led by Gordon, who had postponed the previous weeks trip due to appalling weather. This week's forecast was better at F4 WNW, however the conditions on the loch were much better than expected with us only seeing F3 on the more exposed crossings. The ever present rain was with us most of the day, despite seeing at times blue skies and of course the odd rainbow. I managed to get a few circumnavigations in for the PSK 1000 Island Challenge. I guess every point helps.
We set off from Luss and headed through the sheltered waters of the islands. Stopping at Strathcashell point for a leg stretch we had a quick Look around the remains of an iron age fort on the point. You could just make out the oval-shaped structure with a stone wall approximately 2 meters thick. There were some pretty big rocks in the structure - it always makes me wonder how they moved, dressed and positioned the rocks.
GPS track
Whilst going around Ceardach I saw what I first thought was a Red Kite overhead, except I wasn't convinced it was a Red Kite - it didn't fly like a Red Kite and the tail was longer. Only when I mentioned it to Gordon, we decided it must have been an Osprey. Unfortunately, Gordon didn't see it to confirm. But an Osprey made a lot more sense.
The other paddlers were Gordon (Leader), Stephen H, Seb, Alistair, John.
Fab paddle
8.9 nm 3 hour 35 minutes
Photos
