Tuesday 17th March 2026, was a very windy stormy day. Looking out at the sea from my kitchen window it seemed improbable the forecast weather of light winds, rising temperatures and sunshine for Wednesday 18th March was very likely. I dillydallied all day about paddling on Wednesday, about where I should go, and indeed if I should bother going paddling at all. I just kept putting off the decision, with the wind whistling around the house and seeing the whitecaps on the sea outside. About mid-afternoon I pretty much decided if I was going to paddle anywhere, I may as well complete the remaining islands on Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond would at least offer calmer conditions than the sea with lighter winds and no tidal movements. Having planned this paddle some time ago; from when I previously completed circumnavigation of nine of the Loch Lomond islands, I knew this paddle would be 20nm and therefore it would be a good test for me. Especially, as I have been so physically active lately, sorting out the garden at the house. It would also get this paddle around the remaining Loch Lomond Islands, for the Performance Sea Kayak 1000 Islands challenge, out of the way early in the year. So that when the better weather does arrive in the summer, I can concentrate on doing paddles further afield.
When the six o clock news came on the TV in the evening, I still hadn't decided if it was going to be a yay or nay to paddling. That is until the weather forecast was presented and yes, it seemed to confirm with all the other forecasts I'd seen, Wednesday was going to be a compete change to the storm we were still experiencing; fine conditions would prevail. I then spent the next couple of hours organising everything I would need for the Loch Lomond trip.
I decided to paddle from Ardlochlay, just south of Luss, as there is a free lay-by to park in right next to the loch. Having not been there before, I looked on google maps street view the night before. It was difficult to see if the get in was easily accessible or not, but I had heard of others using this spot, so I assumed there must be something(?). I decided to take the risk and head there first in the morning. If that failed, I could always head to Luss and pay through the nose for parking there for the day.
Arriving at Ardlochlay, the lay-by was more or less empty and I immediately saw the get in/out. It was right next to where I had parked in the lay-by. Easy. From now on, it was just a case of getting on with it. The weather was glorious - such a transformation from a few hours earlier. There wasn't even a ripple to be seen on the loch at Ardlochlay and the views were simply stunning.
I had previously printed out a map with my route on, but having studied the map whilst planning the route, I pretty much knew it off pat. However, out on the water, there were a couple of occasions where I had to refer to my GPS. As the islands, vegetation wise, look more or less identical from a distance, the islands can appear to merge into one long island. Being able to look at the planned track on my GPS, confirmed I was on the right compass bearing.
How many islands can you see? There are several!
Setting off at 08:30, I was well ahead of my initial 10:00am schedule. Consequently, I had no need to stop at Balmaha for lunch. And indeed, by the time I was circumnavigating Inchalloch, it was well before lunchtime, so I decided to skip lunch at Balmaha and carry on. It wasn't until I had completed the circumnavigation of Inchfad, I decided to stop paddling in the middle of the loch and have a sandwich and drink. After Inchfad, the remaining islands were soon ticked off and before I knew it, I was arriving back at Ardlochlay.
The 13 Islands in the order I paddled them were: Inchgalbraith, Inchmurrin, Creinch, Torrinch, Aber Isle, The Kitchen, Clairinish, Inchcalloch, Ellanderroch, Inchfad, Ceardach, Bucinch, Stot Isle.
On arriving home I immediately emailed Performance Sea Kayak with my GPX track. Hopefully, the tally of islands from today will push me backup the order in the 2026 1000 Islands Challenge
Below is my planned route for day 2.
My actual GPS track - not a lot of difference to the planned route. Apart from I didn't stop for a break.coffee at Balmaha.
Fab paddle.
20 Nm 4 hours and 17 minutes. [5.1 mph]
