Little gem in Scotland

It was whilst I was up in the North of Scotland doing a recce for a future expedition next year, and working that I came across this little gem of a trip for open boaters. It takes in a number of  Highland Lochs and rivers as it winds its way down from the high ground heading east to sea level. It starts at Loch a Chroisg, Achnasheen some 40 miles west of Inverness, and ends at Connon Bridge just outside of Dingwall, which is  on the Cromaty Firth.

I always feel Scotland has so much to offer the open boater, with very few if any access issues and the ability to wild camp in most areas. Add to this the real feeling of remoteness that can be achieved, and it makes it  the closest thing to paddling in Canada most people could experience in this country. It also gave me a great opportunity to try out my new Mad River Legend.

I was joined on this trip by a good friend and paddling partner Andy, who produces some fine wooden paddles in his spare time. In fact this winter I am hoping he will educate me in the skill to produce my own. I will keep you posted.

We started at a very open and wind swept Loch a Chrosig and headed east down the River Bran, which makes for an interesting paddle interspersed with need to use a pole or line every now and then. This eventually winds its way down to Loch a Chulinn followed by a short 2km portage around one of several power stations and into Loch Luichart. Again a very open Loch and exposed to westerly winds. At this point we played with the idea of putting a sail up but thought better of it as by this time the waves around us were rather large and there was a risk of swamping. A rather comical moment occurred here as we suddenly noticed a deer very close by. Strange to see only one we thought, however just like a scene from old black and white cowboy film where the Indians surround them, heads appeared one by one leading away up the hill and into the distance. You had to be there I guess! Despite being given some local intelligence we failed to see any Eagles however.

That night we endured a rather wet and windy bivy and at times battled with the midges. At this point I was really glad we had stopped off in Dingwall and bought some midge jackets, not hoods but jackets!

Next morning we again set off and tackled another of the portages around a power station and a short gorge section onto the River Connon.

This is where the trip and the river really takes on a character all of its known. Several fairly flat sections are followed by numerous grade 2 rapids, with some great surf waves and fun places to play.

One final rapid on this section leads into Loch Achonachie. Again only grade 2 but still nice to have and mess about on. It was after having been here for a while and just before we set off across the Loch that we noticed the rapid was dropping off! Un be-known to us at this time was that the Connon’s rapids are dependent on a release from the power stations. If timed right as one release ends into the Loch another starts flowing out from the other end, providing more interesting paddling

The river continues its journey east in much the same way, flat but moving, interspersed with sections of grade 2 rapids before entering a tidal section just before the get out.

A really enjoyable paddle in an area with some stunning scenery. The wildlife is in abundance and on this section in particular there is the  opportunity  to see Otters. If you are in that area and get the chance go and paddle it, you wont regret it. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did paddling it.

See you on the water…

Jules