Scotland

I’ve just got back from a week of paddling in the Moidart area in the west of Scotland, about a 12 hour drive from home.

1st stop was Loch Morar, the UKs deepest loch at 300 meters. Every previous time I have been there the weather has been extremely variable and this was no exception; strong winds and upto 3 foot waves at times soon followed by sun and no wind mixed in with heavy rain.











2nd stop was Loch Shiel, a little bit further south. This is a beautiful loch famous for having a burial island at its south end. The graves range from ancient to 2017 which is the newest we found. A really interesting place to visit.










Last time I visited here, the bell in the last picture was still present. Its existence was never publicised, it’s in a remote area, so not a casual place someone might just drop in while passing; anyone wanting to visit has to make a determined effort to get there. (From the nearest road by boat about about 2 miles each way, on foot about a two mile walk then a swim.) I remember thinking it was amazing that it was just sitting unguarded on the altar in the remains of the chapel and find it quite shocking that it was taken.

Sam

Wow, beautiful spot.

Thanks for that trip report. Sad about the bell.
Jim

Great pictures. Looks like a really cool place to paddle. Are the lochs connected... portage between them or hop in the car to the next?

On your last visit, was there any notation about the bell & its significance to the spot or was it just an old bell sitting on an old altar? (Yes, I'm hoping that someone mistakenly picked it up instead of intentionally taking it. I'm guessing it could go either way)

It certainly stinks that it stood there for so long & is now gone.

Gamma1214 said:

Great pictures. Looks like a really cool place to paddle. Are the lochs connected... portage between them or hop in the car to the next?

On your last visit, was there any notation about the bell & its significance to the spot or was it just an old bell sitting on an old altar? (Yes, I'm hoping that someone mistakenly picked it up instead of intentionally taking it. I'm guessing it could go either way)

It certainly stinks that it stood there for so long & is now gone.

Click to expand...

No these two Lochs are not connected - about 29 miles by road. Morar is connected to Loch Nevis by a portage at Tarbet (which in Scottish Gaelic means 'carry across' - there are a few places named Tarbet. Loch Nevis is a sea loch and again the weather is changeable. You don't want to go there if it's windy , I have paddled there when you lose sight of fellow paddlers if a wave gets between you. It's not pleasant!

As far as I remember, last time the bell was just there and we looked up details later. I can't imagine it being moved by mistake. At the time there was quite wide publicity and it's always possible to hand something in anonymously.

Ah, Scotland! The home of my clan Cameron. The beauty of Helen of Troy. The weather of Edgar Allan Poe.

@samb, thanks so much for posting your report and pictures. I know we've posted some YouTube videos of paddling in Scotland, but not many (if any) first hand member reports.

Speaking of Poe, what is that skeleton thing—a grave stone?

Yes - a grave stone in memory of Maighstir Alasdair of Dalilea. c1720

Much more information is here

Sam