Paddling with Joshua...

Joshua working hard...

Today (23rd July 2016) I was fortunate enough to have a day off and the weather was dry so I managed to squeeze in a paddle with Joshua.




We headed from the beach at Loch Lomond shores and just made it out of the bay before Joshua decided to slide out of the boat head first! A quick pit stop at Cameron House Marina to put some dry clothes on Joshua before heading North.


We made good time and managed to throw up the down wind sail and catch the odd gust of wind. Before long we were paddling through the narrows and landing on the beach in Luss 3 hours after we set off. A great little adventure for both myself and Joshua.

Joshua enjoying canoe sailing...

Crainlarich Residential Work...

Lunch spot on Loch Dochart island...

For the past 3 weeks (4th - 22nd July 2016) I have been working in Crainlarich on behalf of Can You Experience. The work has been based out of the Crainlarich youth hostel and has involved the running of a variety of activities for a range of youth groups from both Glasgow and Ayrshire.

Each group started their week on Monday which involved ice breakers, team building games and generally bonding as a group. On the Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week the groups would alternate between three different activities. The activities included Canoeing, Mountain Biking and Hill Walking.

Myself and Lucy ran the canoeing with Ryan, Lee and Scott doing the mountain biking and Darren and Danny doing the hill walking.

Loch Dochart castle...

Flying the jolly roger on the river...

Due to the age range of the young people, ability level and weather conditions we were fortunate enough to do ensure every group was catered for.

The canoeing was run on the river Fillan and involved a down river journey to Loch Dochart in order to have lunch at Dochart Castle. The castle was built by Sir Duncan Campbell between the years of 1583 and 1631.

After lunch we would generally build a diamond raft and allow the team to race back up river to Crainlarich. The fastest time being 56 minutes and the slowest time being 1 hour and 16 minutes.

Once back at Crainlarich we allowed all of the groups the opportunity to swim in the water before a thorough debrief back at the hostel.

A tough but rewarding few weeks of youth work.

Running down river...

Poling back up river...

Crainlarich viaduct. Site of the get in...

Island hopping canoe trip...

Open crossing from Fraoch Isle to Inchtavannach...

Today (16th July 2016) myself and Ryan ran all day island hopping canoe trip on behalf of Can You Experience. There was a total of seven clients and we set off from Luss around 10:30 am.

After departing Luss we headed South, hugging the coast before turning East and completing a small crossing to Fraoch Isle, the old prison of Luss. Once here we had a brief rest before setting our sites on Inchtavannach.

Lunch spot in the Haven...

Paddling the diamond raft to the boat house on Inchconnochan...

By now the wind had steadily picked up which made the crossing from Fraoch Isle to Inchtavannach rather sporty. After a great effort from all the team we finally landed on a small beach on the North East corner of Inchtavannach for a leg stretch. Once the team had all had a wander around the island it was time to get back on the water.

Now that we were in the sheltered water of the narrows we coached the clients on the basic skills needed to maneuver and paddle in windy conditions efficiently. This done we headed through the narrows and made our way round to the haven, a small bay on the South end of Inchconnochan for a lunch stop.

Group heading for Lady Colquhoun's bungalow...

Once at the haven we made an alternative tarp shelter and had the kelly kettle roaring. By this time the clients had gone for an explore on the island whilst myself and Ryan built a diamond raft as the wind was now blowing a consistent  force 4.

Once we were all reunited we paddled our newly built diamond raft back through the narrows and stopped by the boat house on Inchconnochan. Once here we all went for an explore of Lady Colquhoun's ruined bungalow and sawmill before having an explore in search of the mythical wallabies on the island. Some of the group even caught a glimpse of one...

Time was now getting on and it was time to hit the water. We all hopped in to the diamond raft and made a b-line for Camstraddan house. A superb effort from the team in less than ideal conditions!

A brief rest here before we slowly worked our way back to the village of Luss.

A fantastic day with a great group of clients!

George Heriot School...

Open crossing to Firkin Point...

Over the past fortnight (13th - 23rd June 2016) I have had the pleasure of spending 5 days working with George Heriots school of Edinburgh. Each day we had a different group from the same year group. Each day we set off from Rowardennan youth hostel.

During these five days I have been working alongside Ryan, Danny and Connor guiding the pupils and teachers in open canoes on Loch Lomond and introducing the groups to bushcraft and shelter building skills.

Due to having different weather patterns each day we were fortunate enough to do something different each day with the pupils. This included paddling south from the youth hostel to Port na Craoibhe, paddling north to The Yett of Ptarmigan, circumnavigating the small isle of Eilean nan Deargannan and an open crossing to Firkin point.

Paddling South past the Ben Lomond memorial...

During our lunch stop each day, Danny would introduce the pupils to fire lighting, shelter building and knife work before we guided everyone back to the youth hostel for a debrief before departure.

Beach stop near Port na Craoibhe...

Some excellent days on the water and some great groups of pupils and teachers. A real pleasure.

Recent work...

Canoes moored on Inchmurrin Isand...

The past few weeks I have enjoyed being busy continuing work for 'Cany You Experience' based on Loch Lomond.

The work has consisted of various events and several open canoe guiding sessions.

One corporate event, Opertion Bravehert, consists of various activities such as archery and orienteering and culminates with a team canoe race aroung the Eastern end of Inchmurrin Island.

Another School event comprises several teams undertaking various activities such as canoeing, team building and raft building.

The majority of the canoe sessions start from Drumkinnon Bay and culminate with an open journey around the Southern end of Loch Lomond.

Plenty busy weeks ahead with more canoe sessions and events to come.

School groups undertaking sessions on the beach...

International clients canoeing past Cameron House...

Inchcailloch Family Day...(30th May 2016)

Henry and AJ enjoying the sunshine...

Having had consistant sunny weather for weeks now we took the opportunity to introduce our youngest son, Henry, who is six months old (was 5 during the trip) to open canoeing.

We set off from Balmaha and headed North West before following the Western edge of Inchcailloch and stopped close to Port Bawn for some lunch.

Having fnished lunch we followed the Eastern edge of the island and landed back in Balmaha. A successful circumnavigation around Inchcailloch and a great family day out.

Joshua working hard...

Loch Lomond Paddle and Camp...

Paddling from the Shores to the South West of Inchmurrin...

Monday and Tuesday just passed (16th and 17th May) myself and Josh headed out to do an overnight canoe trip. Hoping to catch the last of the good weather before the rain crept in.

Paddled from Loch Lomond shores to Inchmurrin and then crossed over to the ruined castle of Inch Galbraith for lunch. Headed from Inchgalbraith over to Inchtavannach, through the narrows and circumnaved Inchconnochan with a quick stop on Inchcruin before camping on Inchmoan. Followed by a paddle next morning to the North of Inchmurrin and followed the East coastline back to the shores.

Quick beach stop on Inchtavannach...

Alternative sailing from Inchconnachan to Inchcruin...

Now that the weather has crept in it may be a few weeks before another trip is planned.

Loch Lomond Work...

The last few weeks I have been busy continuing work for 'Can You Experience' on Loch Lomond. Most of the work has involved hiring equipment, however from time to time sessions pop up.

Open Canoe Guiding on Loch Lomond...

Customers being ferried to and from the abseiling crag...

Ryan being positive despite the miserable weather...

More bookings coming in so plenty of sessions to be run in the coming weeks...

2 from Crainlarich...

On Monday just past (21st March) myself and Josh headed to Crainlarich in order to bag a few Munros.

After heading up the long steep slope from Benmore farm we finally reached the summit of our 1st Munro of the day, Ben More 1174 Metres. After a quick sandwich we set off from the summit in tyical winter winds following a bearing before finally arriving at the saddle below the summit.From here we made our way up the wide ridge through driving winds and before long arrived at Munro number 2 for the day, Stob Binnein 1165 metres.

Josh on the Summit of Ben More...

After bagging both Munros we headed down Benmore burn and eventually found ourselves back at the train station. Another QMD in the bag!

SECC Work...

As of the last couple of weeks I have been freelancing with Can You Experience. Can You are a local company based on Loch Lomond and provide a range of activities at a range of locations.

From the 10th to the 13th of March we operated a stall as part of the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits show.

As part of the show we held a stall and operated both a climbing tower and a segway course.

Also at the show were a range of Scottish athletes both past and present such as Graeme Obree and Mark Beaumont holding a range of talks and lectures.

On the Saturday I even managed to hold and break the record for the 40 metre sprint, Coming in at 4.1 seconds. Until I was challenged by the Scottish champion and put in my place...

The climbing tower...

Graeme Obree during one of his talks...

A very hectic but great corporate working experience.

Local Walks...

Having recently moved back to Scotland I have taken the opportunity to get out and do family walks of the local hills.

Joshua part way up Tom na h-Airidh (354 metres). Cloud inversion behind.

Myself and Joshua on top of Ben Bowie (313 Metres) Loch Lomond in the background.

Joshua heading up Conic Hill (361 Metres).