Scotland again

Written by ned

Sunday, 22 February 2009 23:09

Spent a few days up in the north of Scotland again this week. After pouring over the maps for an unhealthy amount of time, I had some ideas about what might work. We got lucky with the water levels as the melt hit as we arrived, with some light rain topping things up after those high water levels on Monday.

Its a good landscape to go at...

The game is find a line on the map that may work, get sensible water levels, and then hike. As I get more experienced with this, I am fully coming round to the opinion that 'going to look and see' without the boats is a bad idea. It just makes you tired, and gives your head chance to find reasons not to do the walk with the boats. Whatever you find at the end in terms of whitewater is secondary. Just do it, and then use the kayak as transport out. If there are no sweet 20 footers but just a heap of portages, then so be it.

but you may just find that sweet whitewater....

Cheers to Rob and Iain (rock rat robinson) for the enthusiasm (especially rob who put up with miles of heather and bog bashing with no carry system!). We found everything from bouncy grade three, full on retreats back the way we came to sweet, river wide, 20ft ledges. Its all out there, and hopefully it will be left for those who want to explore for themselves, rather than seeking the opinions of others.

My favourite shot to finish, though web res does not really cut it...

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written by Iain Robinson, February 23, 2009

Great pictures Ned. Was a quality couple of days boating.

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written by daveb, February 24, 2009

Inspirational stuff. Gutted I wasn't there, looks like you were well rewarded for the effort.

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Portage
written by Dave Bald, February 25, 2009

Looks like a good trip. Just wondering what sort of portage system you used?
Cheers Dave B

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written by ned, February 26, 2009

rob used his shoulder and lots of swearing, iain created one form a rucksack and straps. i got a prototype of a purpose built system which worked well

i will stick up some pics of it soon - cheers

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