Words:
Catrina Green (kayak) and
Nathan Greville (canoe)
Photos:
Derek Burdett and
Jack Williams (kayak)
Photos:
Adam Robson and
Matthew Turville (canoe)
At the end of their second year, University of Derby Outdoor Degree students head off for a week-long residential trip, practising advanced skills in their choice of activity. This is the story from two very different paddling trips in Scotland, with one group undertaking a canoe expedition across Rannoch Moor, and the other kayaking over waterfalls and down technical whitewater.
Kayakers: Catrina Green, Macauley Joyce, Craig Ruegg, Glen Serafica, Kieran Staines, Jack Williams, Derek Burdett (Senior Outdoor Technician, University of Derby www.derby.ac.uk/staff/derek-burdett), Tom Parker (Tom Parker Coaching & Guiding www.tomparkercoaching.co.uk).
Canoeists: Vanessa Cromack, Nathan Greville, Matthew Turville, Adam Williams, Adam Robson (TNR Coaching www.tnrcoaching.co.uk).
Links: University of Derby – Outdoor Degree www.derby.ac.uk/outdoordegree
Scotland – a tale of two craft
Day one Kayaking
Day one of the kayaking residential started the same way as many other adventures, with an early start and a very long drive. After a much-needed break at Burger King and a nap stop for our driver, we dropped off the canoeists in the middle of nowhere and finally made it to our cottage in Fort William. Once all the kit was unloaded, we all headed to Wetherspoons for dinner and a drink and discussed plans for our time in Scotland.
Day one Canoeing
It was a constant challenge from day one. Sorting all our equipment for the week’s trip into our boats at the start of the expedition by the side of the A82, then a short navigation of the shallow waters and islands to our campsite for the night.
Day two Kayaking
After a great lie-in we all jumped into the minibus and headed to the River Etive for our first day of paddling. We started off at Triple Falls and repeated this section over and over again. We took on board any feedback from our coaches, Derek and Tom as to how we could go down with more style or even just how to get down the section without having a swim! After some lunch and another run of Triple Falls, we packed up and moved down the river to Right Angle Falls, which it turns out is a 20-foot drop. As none of us had paddled down any drops before, other than triple falls that day, we were definitely thrown in at the deep end. Nearly all of us plucked up the courage to paddle down and it was AMAZING! Once we returned to the cottage, we enjoyed a BBQ and some Peppa Pig cake before heading to bed.
Day two Canoeing
The natural rivers were low due to the fair weather that had preceded the trip. This meant a constant process of having to decide where poling, lining and wading were appropriate, making it a very physical and tiring journey over the first few days.
As gruelling as these sections were, the reward was the sailing on Loch Laidon, which not only allowed us the respite from the tough wading and portaging of Loch Ba and Abhainn Ba but also allowed us to try some rafted canoe sailing. This was significant for me as it was the first time I had been able to try any canoe sailing, and was something of a highlight of the trip for me. At the end of this section was a beautiful campsite on the side of Loch Laidon, where we settled for the night with a warm driftwood fire.
Day three Kayaking
On our third day we woke up to a lovely sunny morning. On our way to the upper section of the Morriston we stopped at Fort Augustus to see Loch Ness and have a quick look for Nessie. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find him, so drove the rest of the way to the get-in for another good day of paddling. As the top drop was a bit more technical than the water we had paddled the previous day, only our coaches paddled down, and we observed their line in case we wanted to give it a try the next day. We all then carried on paddling down the upper section with opportunities to hop out and walk round any parts that we weren’t happy doing that day. After we had all passed the upper section, by kayak or on foot, we continued to paddle down the middle section of the Morriston, which was a lot less gnarly but equally as fun. Once we had finished playing around and spinning in holes we returned to the cottage, where we all had dinner and caught up on the latest episode of Game of Thrones.
Day three Canoeing
The next two days were as challenging as the first, in most cases we literally had to drag the boats over rocks to clear obstacles. Despite this, there was a great team spirit from my fellow students and Robson as we tackled the several portages required for the trip together. Often we would carry the barrels between us like a daisy chain for efficiency and grit our teeth to battle the uneven terrain with the canoes again as a team.
Day four Kayaking
For our fourth day in Scotland we headed back to the Morriston for another go at the upper section. As the river levels would be dropping fast, those who wanted to do a quick run all the way down, including the top drop, jumped in and paddled down. Those of us who were tired from the last couple of days paddling (and swimming), walked around and got in at the top of the middle section. Those who paddled the section did awesome and made the rest of us proud at how well they were doing. We all then paddled down the middle section together, practicing fun skills such as surfing and spinning whenever it was possible. Just before the lower section, we all got out apart from our coaches, who paddled down whilst the rest of us took of the layers we regretted wearing and made the most of the sunshine. We then drove back to the cottage for a dinner and a very chilled evening.
Day four Canoeing
Loch Rannoch was a long slog through still water as there was no wind for sailing so it required a steady paddle to the dam on the eastern side. Sometimes monotonous, it required that patience of getting a solid paddling rhythm, a nice relaxing pace that could be managed. Then on to Dunalstair water which required a bit of thought before the quick trip along the river connecting the loch and the man-made reservoir. Preparation was key, as the small river was well covered in trees which presented an obvious danger and our boats had to be safe and ready in case of a capsize. A danger we saw almost catch out another paddler that followed close behind, though fortunately he was fine. Then it was a steady paddle until camp before another big day of trolleying and paddling.
Day five Kayaking
The next morning, we were all up, fed, and in the minibus by 9:00 am, ready to make the most of our last day paddling. We headed to the River Garry where many of the paddlers we had met the previous days had also gathered. Everyone we met was so friendly, funny and encouraging and it’s great to feel part of the paddling community. We had an awesome morning paddling, enjoying every rapid and yet again playing in holes. However, this time the holes were bigger and definitely tested our skills and confidence. After some lunch and a bit more messing around on the final rapid, we packed up and headed back to Fort William. We spent the afternoon exploring the town, shopping, and enjoying fish and chips, before jumping back in the minibus and driving to the cinema to watch Avengers: Endgame. It was an amazing way to end an incredible week of paddling.
Day five Canoeing
Upper Tummel was yet another test of our decision making skills as we had to assess our ability to paddle the rapids or line down past them. Fortunately, we came to sensible decision of trolleying past, until the river settled into calm water for us to re-enter. Maybe we could have gone earlier onto the water than trolley, but that was the proof of the difficulty of predicting the river ahead, and how key the skill of decision making was for the trip.
Then after some significant trolleying we made it the start of Loch Tummel. This presented us with challenging winds head on, which slowed progress down drastically, leading to the choice of rafting together to tackle the wind. This was an interesting last day, and took a full team effort as it felt like we were literally having to drag the boats through the water to get to the end of the loch. It was gruelling task and could have been a very dull affair but, but some words games allowed for some distraction enough to get us through the dull winds.
Overall, the trip was extremely worthwhile and enjoyable and it was amazing to develop news skills in such a beautiful and dynamic environment that Scotland can offer.
Day six Kayaking
After five days in Scotland it was time to head back home. At 07:00 it was time to get up, pack, eat and tidy, and by 07:50 we were all in the bus ready for our long drive back to Buxton. We picked up the canoeists, enjoyed another stop at Burger King, and eventually got back to uni at 17:30, where we were all ready for a hot shower and a long sleep!
Day six Canoeing
It was a privilege to have the opportunity to accomplish the Rannoch Moor crossing by canoe. It was one of the most challenging and unique trips I have done so far in my canoeing career. It was a truly wild experience from start to the finish at the end of Loch Tummel, with picturesque panoramas all day long accompanying us as we conquered the myriad of skills needed to pass the rugged terrain and water.
Canoeing summary
- Day one: A82 to Beach campsite (portage) 0.2km (paddling) 0.8km.
Total: 1km - Day two: Loch Ba (paddling) 4.2 km, Abhain Ba (lining, poling and dragging) 2.5 km, Loch Laidon (Sailing) 7.3 km.
Total: 14 km - Day three: Garbh Ghaoir (lining, poling and dragging) 4 km, Loch Eigheach (paddling) 2 km, Eigheach Dam to Bridge of Gaur (trolleying) 5.2 km, Bridge of Gaur to Loch Rannoch Camp (paddling) 1.8 km.
Total: 13 km - Day four: Loch Rannoch (paddling) 14.5km, Upper River Tummel (paddling) 4.5 km, Dunalastair Water (paddling) 1.5 km.
Total: 20.5 km - Day five: Dunalastair Water (paddling) 2.1 km, Tummel Dam to Bridge of Tummel (trolleying) 4.9 km, Upper Tummel (paddling) 1.5km, Loch Tummel (rafted paddling) 11.5 km.
Total: 20 km
Grand Total: 68.5km
