Tuesday 17th March 2026, was a very windy stormy day. Looking 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 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 making a decision with the wind whistling around the house, and especially getting any of my kit together. 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. I knew this paddle would be 20nm, so would be a good test for me. Especially as I have been so physically active lately sorting out the garden at the hoose. It would also get this paddle out of the way, early in the year so when the better weather does finally arrive I can concentrate on doing paddles further afield.
When the six o clock news came on, on the TV, I still hadn't decided if it was going to be a yay or nay to paddling. That is until the weather forecast came on and seemed to confirm, with all the other forecasts I'd seen, that Wednesday was going to be a compete change to the storm we were still having and yes, fine conditions would prevail. I then spent the next couple of hours getting the roof rack on the car, and packing everything I would need for the Loch Lomond trip.
I decided to paddle from Ardlochlay, just south of Luss, as there was a free lay-by to park in. Looking on google maps street view 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'd take the risk, and if that failed, I could always head for Luss, and pay through the nose for parking for the day.
Arriving Ardlochlay the lay-by was more or less empty and I immediately saw the get in/out, right next to where I had parked. Easy. It was just a case of getting on with it. The weather was glorious - such a transformation from 10 hours earlier. There wasn't a ripple to be seen on the loch at Ardlochlay and the views were stunning.
I had printed out a map with my route on, but having studied the map planning the route I pretty much knew it off pat. There were two occasions when I reached for my GPS during the trip. Both were on leaving a circumnavigated island and starting a crossing to the next island. As the islands, vegetation wise, look more or less identical, from a distance the islands appear to merge into one, and it is difficult to see where an island starts and ends. Looking at my gps I could easily confirm I was on the right track.
As I set off at 08:30, I was quite ahead of my planned schedule, where I originally planned a stop at Balmaha for Coffee and Cake, or lunch at least. But as I circumnavigated Inchalloch, I decided I'd carry on. I wasn't particularly hungry. It wasn't until I had completed Inchfad, that I decided to have a sandwich and some drink. The remains Islands were soon ticked off and 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]
