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