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Badachro

Badachro

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    Sep 16, 2014#1





    Our first paddle trip of last week's holiday over the border (while it's still open) was a trip to the sheltered bay at Badachro, which apparently means "cattle fold clump," but that doesnt have quite the same ring to it so I think we'll stick with the traditional name thank you. The village is situated on an inlet of Loch Gairloch and is sheltered by several islands, the main one being Eilean Horrisdale, providing safe anchorage for fishing boats and yachts and giving an opportunity for a safe paddle when other watery venues in the area are too "interesting."

    Our original plan was to put in at the public slipway and carpark at Badachro but we found this perfect put in next to the Shieldaig Lodge, with carpark just over the road. It was through an open rusty gate but there were no "Private" or "Keep Out" signs around (after all this is Scotland, not Norfolk) so we went for it. Unfortunately when we passed a few days later the gate was locked so maybe it did belong to the hotel after all and any fellow SoTPers wishing to splash about here will have to put in at Badachro instead.



    "Get Orf Moi Land" or whatever the equivalent Gaelic is

    The downside to this new plan was that we would be going out against the incoming tide and returning against the outgoing tide!
    As it turned out, the flow was nothing to worry about and we managed perfectly.



    Loch Shieldaig

    This inlet is Loch Shieldaig, and like it's Torridonian counterpart it has an island near the shore called Shieldaig. And this one also has a large heronry.
    Synchronicity!



    Passing Eilean Shieldaig



    House at Lean na Saighde (that's easy for you to say)



    Leaving the bay

    It was round about this time that I heard a snorting sound behind me, so I turned round to see what it was



    Snorting Seal (that's a seal clearing it's sinuses, not a seal with a coke problem. Probably)



    It seems that Mrs. P. was being followed too

    And they continued to follow us the rest of the way to Badachro!









    We paddled out towards the main loch, intending to go around Horrisdale to get to Badachro but once out from the shelter of the island the water was quite a bit rougher so we headed back into calmer waters and went through the narrows at Na Dunain to reach Badachro and our lunch stop at the Badachro Inn (no flask and sarnies today thanks, we're on holiday!)






    Anchorage (Not Alaska)


    Yachtage


    Narrows


    Old Sea Dog - View from the "Sun" Terrace



    Pub With A View

    After a pleasant rest and refreshment(s) we headed back onto the water and headed back towards Shieldaig, checking out more of the islands along the way.



    Safe Haven



    Raised Beach?



    Too High



    Maybe This One?



    Clearwater



    Nearly There



    Just Behind That Little Rock



    There It Is - Shieldaig! Quick, before they shut the gate!



    smquentin


    Thanks for watching
    There's a Bluebird in my heart

    1,14934
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    1,14934

      Sep 16, 2014#2

      Looks fab - can't believe how clear the water is. I would expect silt & stuff to be moving about as it's in a Lough.
      Death is natures way of telling you to slow down.

      16K95
      Member
      16K95

        Sep 16, 2014#3

        Nah, sea lochs are usually clear.

        Very good blog, Mr. Pirate. Like it very much. :)

        Here comes the future and you can't run from it
        If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


        Crow Trip Log

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        27K3,045

          Sep 16, 2014#4

          Wonderful. Have been to Badachro years ago, but not with the canoe. Lovely spot.

          There have been a lot of seal blogs this year, love it. Greys seem particularly inquisitive.
          SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

          Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

          Paddle Points - where to paddle

          7431
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          7431

            Sep 17, 2014#5

            Looks like a lovely trip Ninja, thanks for sharing. Those SOT's are certainly clocking up some miles!
            Andy,
            (Cumbria)

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            1,1651

              Sep 17, 2014#6

              looks like perfect conditions ..very nice

              207
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              207

                Sep 17, 2014#7

                Great blog and stunning photos.Thanks for bringing back a lot of good memories.
                In the face of adversity there is always time for another paddle ! ...SMopencanoe:Smilie_tent::Campfire:

                5,45611
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                5,45611

                  Sep 17, 2014#8

                  Cracking blog! Really interesting read and some lovely photos. ;)
                  Juvanile delinkwit, vaguely faffing around with a pair of pliers. Du skal ikke tro at du er bedre end mig!