Scotland (Feb 2006) part 3

Registered Company No 2612775

Read Part 1 Read part 2

And there's more - the continuing story of our Scottish Adventure. . .

Thursday - Arkaig (2 with a 4 in the middle)

A bit of a false start on Thursday as we headed for the Garry - a dam release river, we figured that with all the water around it might be releasing. It wasn't (although it looked as though it had been) which was a shame as it looked like it could be good.

So today's plan B was the Arkaig. When we got there it was obvious that it was going to be high - the loch was right up to the wall by the roadside.

It was a cold day so it took some motivation to get ready for what was going to be a short trip. Again we persuaded Sarah and Nic that they would be ok as the big drop could easily be portaged. However, feeling how cold it was and a look at the level meant they talked each other into driving the cars down for us and come up with the cameras.

On the whole it was ok some bouncy rapids and the occasional surf. But the big drop was big - how big I'm not sure. On the picture opposite the drop is right at the top - but the main drop is behind the tree on the right. The guide says get on the island and inspect, but given the water level getting on the island was one thing, getting off again would be another. The guide also suggested right of the island in high water - but it was quite high enough for that and there was a tree in it. From the left bank we could see the bottom of the drop - a big tree going into it, and on the far side the river seemed to go in to the bushes and we could really see the approach - so it was a carry round.

Still plenty of time for cakes in Fort William. And no rain overnight!

Friday - Middle Orchy (4/5)

With river levels having dropped off a bit we headed back to the Orchy to do the middle section from Bridge of Orchy to (above) the Falls of Orchy - a classic white water stretch. The added benefit was that the road ran alongside most of the way, so there's be lots of photo opportunities on the way. And with bright sun and blue sky the piccies should look good.

Once ready, we took to the water, with Nic and Sarah volunteering to drive and take the photos. Cliff seemed to have decided do the shorter version of the trip, getting in just above the bridge and fitting in a roll and a swim (right) before the bridge and getting out to join the bank team. Sorry Cliff, but is this the shortest trip on record? (about 50m I reckon).

Undaunted the other three of us set off down bouncy grade 2/3 to the start of the meaty stuff, which was conveniently where the road met up with the river.

There followed lots of big volume grade 3 and 4 rapids with great names link Sheep Trolley Gorge, Big Rock and the odd play wave. these generally passed without incident and just the occasional clamber onto the bank to look at what lay ahead. The only real calamity on this bit was Les getting pinned (is this becoming a habit?) on a rock and the bank in a small side flow. Paul decided to go for the dramatic rescue, jumping from his boat into the eddy behind the rock in the process discovering where water come into his dry pants. This left Les a little bemused as he was quite happy to wait until someone got on the bank and unpinned him.

Arriving at Easan Dubha (above), the first grade 5, we got out in plenty of time to have a look. But none of were up for it, so it was the first portage of the day.

Below Easan Dubha was the appropriately named Saw Tooth. Much time was spent (under the guise of a lunch stop) pondering the merits and pitfalls of each of the possibly lines - there were plenty but all had just that unwelcome hint 'what if' about them. Finally a decision was made - sneak into the eddy and down the left chute on the drop - avoiding the main flow pushing right towards some holes and who knows what else that was hidden from our view on the bank. Les was 'volunteered' to test the line. A straight-forward run into the eddy and run down the drop. Buoyed up by having seen it done Matt came next (above)- and soon discovered the eddy was a little harder to get and washed down the next chute - surfacing from the hole with a worried look, but having proved that line was possible. Paul came down last also hitting the agreed line.

After this the river moved away from road for a distance - so sadly we have no pictures of running End of Civilisation. For me this was one the best bits of the river about 500m of continuous grade 4 with drops, holes and waves and a real remote feel about it. The only problem was it was on a bend so getting out to scout it led to a long walk down and back up.

The second grade 5 Eas a Chathaidh was soon apon us, and helpfully marked by Cliff sitting on the bank waiting to meet us. A quick look confirmed that we'd walk it - not easy on a boggy bank - mind we didn't get as muddy as Sarah who managed to sink up to a knee in it!

A short paddle then brought us down to the the Witches Step - a straight-forward drop, ideally off a ledge just right of centre (and left of a drop into a hole) - an easy line in theory! In practice it proved a little trickier. Les led off, completely missing the line (going left of the hole), and pointing his nose skyward as he dropped into the hole backwards! Not to be outdone, Matt got further right - so dropped directly into the hole! Paul got further right still and onto the ledge, but instead of dropping into the pool managed to slide sideways into the hole. All of which was caught on video and made great viewing with a beer back at the cottage.

So that was it - seven river trips in 6 days, good water levels throughout the week. And it looked like we were going home at the right time as the river levels were dropping off quickly with little prospect of rain or snow melt to come.

This is definitely something we'd all want to repeat. There were plenty of other river to run - and plenty at a lower grade for those who'd prefer things a little gentler.

Read Part 1 Read Part 2 Back to Trip Reports Page

Les Ford