Liz's Scottish west coast trip progress (Part 3)

I'm back from my trip to Northern Ireland now and ready to report more exciting episodes from Liz's west coast trip.

On the Saturday (26th May) morning Liz, Kirstine and Mary set off from Craignure up the Sound of Mull with the aim of reaching Tobermory. They were hampered by strong northeasterly winds but battled on.
The wind had limited progress during the day and by the time they had reached Tobermory the tide had also turned against them and it became a battle of will just to find a place to camp beyond Ardmore Point.

After a difficult carry up a rocky beach camp was established, food was prepared and a fire was lit, which boosted morale and lifted weary hearts. After a distance of 38km sleep followed unhindered.

The Sunday morning was bright with a cold but gentle breeze from the north and the three girls headed of for Ardnamurchan. It was a little windy at the point but conditions worsened as they paddled east approaching Fascadale Bay where they decided they would finish for the day. The approach was in heavy surf and when Liz and Mary landed they discovered Kirstine to be missing and called a 'Mayday' by VHF. Kirstine had capsized and swam just outside the entrance to the bay. Kirstine's attempts to set off a flare were made so difficult due to the cold that the flare was dropped. Kirstine was left no choice but to swim towards the rocky shore where she found a comparatively sympathetic landing in a rocky gully. It was from here that she dialled 999 and eventually spoke to a very relieved Coastguard. Kirstine was then extracted by RAF helicopter from the gully and taken to hospital in Fort William and treated for mild hypothermia. Both RAF and lifeboat crews were very complimentary on the groups equipment and procedures.

On Monday morning Liz managed to retrieve Kirstine's kayak before meeting up with her next paddling companions, Kev and Gill. During the following days Liz, with Kev and Gill made good progress despite paddling through 8 hours of almost continuous torrential rain on Wednesday (30th May) around the isles of Raasay and Rona.

Saturday (2nd June) was spent resting and stormbound at a youth hostel at Gairloch but on the Sunday progress was good once again and Liz made camp at Gruinard Bay.

Monday (4th June) has been spent exploring the Summer Isles and Liz has just reported in to say that she is spending the night in a Youth Hostel at Achvraie. From Achvraie Liz is due to paddle the short distance to the end of her trip at Ullapool where she will be met by her husband Mark on Wednesday.