T P

Autumn 2010

he addler
Life and times of The Scottish Hostellers Canoe Club
Hello Folks,
The end of another fine paddling season
is upon us and it seems that a fine time
was had by all who joined in the club
outings. We had the usual few nights on
Inchmurrin and a couple of weekends at
Loch Sween, Tayvallich.
Neill and Derek spent a week paddling
from Elgol to Dunvegan on Skye ( we’re
awaiting the trip report on that one) and
Gerry and Liz had a few early season
paddles from Portencross to Millport and
spent a couple of weekends paddling the
skerries and surrounding area of Arisaig.
It’s nice to know that members are
getting on the water and supporting the
club outings. Some members must be
paddling outwith the club and it would be
nice to read of their exploits should they
care to submit any trip reports.
The BBQ was well attended and the raffle
seemed to go down a treat. The
committee would like to thank all who
helped make it a success and we look
forward to the next one.
We would also like to wish members a
happy festive season and we look forward
to meeting you at our AGM. Gerry

Tom on Loch Na Ceall

Merry Cristmas and a Happy New Year

 Inchmurrin
Sat. 21-Sun 22 August 2010
Those in party:
Gerry Clifford, Dougie Lindsay, Jim
Jones, Tom Patton .. SHCC
Scott…………………….,
Dave……….……………….. Guests
With Scott and Dougie in Gerry’s
Canadian we set off a bit gingerly
towards the Fruin. Dave, in a
borrowed boat and unused to
kayaking, had so much deck cargo he
resembled a container ship and did
not look at all stable. However the
water was calm and with the wind
hardly a breath from the south
helping us along and we made it to
the campsite without much ado,
putting in about 5.30 pm.
Everyone had brought their own
tent and so there was a bit of pressure
on the site to get all the tents down.
Gerry dossed with me and Jim
erected what looked like a moth’s
chrysalis. He said it was sold as a
two-man tent and supposed they
might have been called Dopey and
Grumpy.
As we were getting our meals
cooked there started to fall a few
drops of rain and an hour or so later
the real stuff descended. Scotty by
this time had relocated the stick fire
he had lit, as we had informed him
that the tide would be coming insoon,
and fuel for the fire had been stocked.
Someone had suggested that a visit
to the Boatel would be a good idea
and this had seemed so to the rest of
the party. We set off in increasing
rain and by keeping to the shoreline
we made our way, with some
difficulty, duly arriving wet. A
draught or two of medicine and nice
soft seats restored our spirits and
kept the scurvy at bay.
After further medication (some of it
free!) we retraced our steps, now in
the dark, back to the tents with much
less hassle than on our outward
journey. Strange.
The fire was rekindled and a
modicum of ardent spirits was
partaken of as were toasted donuts,
cheese and onion toasties and
hamburger sarnies. These kept the
jaws working until about 2am when
we retired.
Some very heavy rain through the
night
Sunday
Stumps stirred by about 10am and
breakfast taken.The showers
slackened in the early afternoon and
we dropped the tents.
As we set off the wind began to
pick up (f3) from the south and our
original plan to head for the Fruin
was changed to due south so that the
Canadian could head straight into the
waves there being little freeboard
and no spray deck on her. Half way
across the wind died to a whisper
and we landed at about 2.45pm.
Dreich weather but good company.
 24-27 September 2010
And it was cold!

Maps. O.S. Sheet 55, Lochgilphead

Those in party: Gerry and Liz, Ron and Jacqui, Derek
McGuire, self

The original plan to go to Mallaig was changed due to work

constraints by some of the group so we once again plumped
for Leachive campsite, Tayvallich 745 875 arriving at various
times on the Friday. Ron and Jackie joining us on the
Saturday. This was unfortunate as we had a grand night
under Gerry’s “basha” with the BBQ and Liz’s party lights
glowing in the dark. We needed the heat as there was a stiff
draught blowing down our necks. We were forced to retire
much earlier than usual as even copious amounts of
antifreeze could not maintain body heat.

Saturday
After an uncomfortable night we awoke to a winter’s day.
The tents and boats all had a coating of ice. Indeed the
Lurpack spreadable didn’t.
All had stories to tell of how the night was passed . Derek
had slept inside his bivvy -bag, I had brought two fairly good
bags quite by accident and Liz and Gerry spent a cosy time
under two of Liz’s gold lame sleeping bags. The only problem
was that a leak in the matching double airbed meant that
Liz ended up on the ground while Gerry remained aloft. The
reason for this remains unexplained.
Breakfast taken saw the arrival of our friends from the Far
East and, as usual, much time was spent preparing to get
on the water. It was late morning when we finally got the
boats into the water from the slipway near the shop and we
headed out due east turning north into Caol Scotnish to get
the maximum shelter from the wind as the slight seas
were causing some distress to Jackie as her rudder was not
functioning. Although we had very recently paddled here it
was still worthy of a return visit. By now the sun was
warming us finely and the passage north was most
interesting. Much comment was made about the black
starfish in their thousands and this being the only loch to
have them and the tube worms growing below a mussel
pontoon we came across near the top of the loch. We had a
brew-up at the previous stopping place 759898 before
retracing our course into the sun that was now beginning
to set. A catch of a standard sized mackerel kept my Big
Fisherman title secure for at least another day.
Dining al fresco meant that some measures had to be
employed not normally seen at camp. Beach shelters being
erected at the end of the basha in only a partly successful
attempt to reduce the wind chill, glasses of red biddy being
warmed over the BBQ and everyone huddled round the fire.
Sublime.

Sunday.
After breakfast the faulty rudder on the Carolina was
repaired and we all hied ourselves off to Tayvallich again.
Here while a couple of sizeable rocks were loaded into the
Club boat for a little bit extra initial stability we got Jackie
into her life vest. So eventually we put off heading east
towards Achnamara, then we changed our minds once again
and headed north towards the “Fairy Isles”765880. The
weather was calm and mild and the gentle paddle through
the islets was enchanting. We finally stopped for a brew-up
768888 on a not very nice bit of grass but with wonderful
views all around. It was here that Derek found a clump of
lovage and declared that it tasted great in soups and stews.
Jacqui added that it was also good for cleaning the blood
and added that “It’s an aphrodisiac too”! Everyone’s ears
pricked up at this! When Gerry returned from a wander he
was a little surprised to find new salad leaves in his
sandwich. As we debated our return a shape was seen gliding
over the water and we
thought it was an otter.
Derek was of the opinion that
it was a beaver as he had
heard that they were being
re-introduced into that area.
We finally set off into a
perfect evening, the sea
almost glassy calm and the
sun now sinking in the west.
In the sun’s shadow the
temperature was markedly
cooler, foretelling of a cold
night ahead.
Back in camp we reprised
our previous evenings
entertainment. The
Camembert cheese in coating
fried over the Barbie went
down a treat.
Back to kip with Jackie still
complaining that Ron
wouldn’t give it to her.(His
new sleeping bag which, Ron
informed us, Jackie had
poured a cup of coffee over it
that morning in a vain
attempt to lay claim to it).
Monday
Back on the road again and
home in time for tea.
What a great area for a Club
Meet. Perhaps we will make
it to Achnamara one of these
days!
Contacts:
Campsite: Leachive Farm Tel
01546 870206 or 07979
433243 Mr. MacArthur.
£7.00pppn. Showers £1.00.
Tam’s Tips
One-pot Recipes
1. Lamb shank with boiled potatoes.
Ingredients :-
Pack (of two) frozen lamb shanks
in rosemary and thyme gravy
(available from M/s ALDI (£4.95 @
2010)
One Tin 400-500g new potatoes in
brine.
Method.
Place one or two lamb shanks (sealed)
in pot, cover with water then bring to
the boil.
After 10 mins strain then add potatoes.
After a further 10 mins remove
potatoes and lamb.
No use wasting all that warm water-
use\it to clean your plates!
2. Steak and onions in gravy with
boiled potatoes.
Pack of frozen steak available from
M/s Farmfoods and others (£2.00 @
2010)
Method as for lamb shanks.
3. Ghoulash. (recipe
from…………………….an old Club
member)
Ingredients.
1 tin stewed\steak
1 tin (any) soup
1 tin (any) vegetables.
Method.
Mix all together and heat slowly.
News Congratulations to
Neil Hammond Both candidates

And
on passing his 4 for training were

Views
Star Leader sea. assisted in small
part from the club
Liz Leavy on training budget.
completion of her It is hoped that
W Foundation of we can assist
rescue and safety more of our
t r a i n i n g . newer members
F.R.S.T. in the coming
years.

Inventions or Ideas Send

New Members
them Here
Club Trips
The club are delighted to welcome
the following new members.
William Anderson, Dougie Lindsay,
Jim Jones, Dr Christobel Fallon,
Ewan Anderson, Kirsty Stewart,
David Miller and Geo Williamson.
Next season most club trips will be
on the first Saturday of the month,
any ideas for venues will be most
welcome. Whether they be to return
to old haunts or to seek pastures
new. Submit to committee.
The River Doon in a Canadian Canoe
A wee trip with some friends to try my hand at open boating
Having watched the Tay descent several times coupled with a few reruns of
Deliverance I felt ready for my first river trip in a canoe, sadly the introductory day
was called off. As I consoled myself with a wee goldie as a chaser for the bottle of
Shiraz, Liz appeared extending her hand with a phone in it." It's for you" she said,
"I think it's John". " How do you fancy the Doon tomorrow",the voice enquired, my
reply was along the lines of yea but no but yea but, and as they say, the rest is history
.
The story for me begins as John and I peered over the bridge, giving me my first
sight of The Doon, a meandering river which appeared in spate but running off,
nothing too difficult I thought, anyway think of all the new words you will learn,
stopper, wave train, gripper etc. but the only words I heard was KEEP PADDLING.

All went well over the first wee drop, It was a bit like a man jumping from the top
of a 30 story block of flats, thinking as he passes the tenth floor, well so far so good
only to be abruptly stopped by a boulder. How we survived the swamping I don't
know, John hugged the boulder and I was hugging John, I think that was where
Lindsay heard the manly shouts as we pulled apart. All seemed to be going
reasonably well for the two bus pass holders until we reached a weir, at this point
we walked the bank to survey it, me not knowing what I was looking at in terms of
paddling and John developing an odd stutter, he kept repeating, "it looks ok, are you
up for it", I noticed Stuart walking back up the bank towards us carrying a great big
throw line and remember thinking, should you not be at the bottom of this thing with
that big rope and not up here. Stuart Scott and Davie run it again to soften it up for
us, pity they didn’t soften the ruddy great boulder that we met at the bottom. The
abrupt stop lifted John clear out of his seat and projected me flat on my back towards
the bow peering up at Johns buttocks, but at least still no swims from us, I did though,
see the bottom of Scott’s boat at one point but put the girly squeels down to Lindsay
as Dougie wasn’t there.
Onward we paddled to the wee bendy drop, as John described it, with the only
disconcerting thing being Davie saying he wanted to get down to see the carnage.
We stalked it for a few moments, lined up and paddles flailing, off we went. All
seemed to be going well and I thought we were through until John disappeared and
I went looking for him. Stuart effected a classic rescue got us back on board and off
to the take out.
Things I learned on the day. Line through the trees is not the footpath through the
woods, A Stopper is not a coffee break, The Gripper is where you must keep your
tobacco dry and last but not least, a bucket is a handy tool.
Overall a great day with a good team. Would I do it again, Mibbies aye, mibbies
naw. Of course I would. Gerry
 Tam’s Tips on CAMPING
1. The first thing out of your boat is
the first thing needed. So, apart
from the mid-day snack kit, the
tent and flysheet should be easily
got at. Once this is erected bed-
ding, clothes and food follow.
2. When breaking camp the reverse
is followed
3. Midge protection should be readi-
ly accessible. At all times!
4. If evening is drawing nigh, beds
and bedding should be prepared
since modern tents are generally
made from dark coloured materi-
al.
5. Other in-tent work: packing, sup-
per preparation, lighting etc.
should be carried out while still
light outside.
6. Ensure the area below your
groundsheet is as clear of sharp
edges and lumps as possible be-
fore pitching.
7. If camping in the cold seasons, to
help you keep warm, wear a tam-
my (25% heat lost through the
head) and socks in bed.
8. An exposure blanket placed below
an airbed reflects body heat.
9. Keep a torch handy for night time
use.
10. Likewise a pair of slip-on shoes for
visits to the bushes.
11. Raising the bum, even a few inch-
es, aids circulation and digestion.
12. Do not take any wet gear into the
sleeping compartment
13. Roll-up water carriers should be
carried.
14. Fold-down wind screens help with
the cooking and reduces spatter
onto tent fabric and reduces risk
of tent doors being blown onto
flames.
15. A clothes line can be made by
twisting guy line tightly and then
passing the wet items between
the strands.
16. Don’t pitch or allow a stick fire
near the tent. Wind direction may
change!
17. A tent repair kit and spare length
of pole should be carried.
18. If all wetable gear is packed se-
curely, later tent collapse will
have least adverse affect.
19. A survival bag if kept to hand
may ensure sleeping bag remains
dry if the tent should blow down.
20. Use the who-brings-what check-
list to ensure non duplication of
gear.
 pot lifter, dhobi brush and liquid,
Tam’s Tips
matches, keeps everything to hand.
Cooking kit.
1. A large frying pan is essential for pro-
6. A food box as large as can pass through
ducing bacon, eggs, black pud. etc. so
hatch is most beneficial for carrying al
that they all get on the plate at the
the small stuff like salt, pepper, curry &
same time. Bolognaise sauce, chilli
chilli powder etc. garlic and tomato
mince, pancakes, gammon steaks,
purees, stock cubes, cooking oil, but-
chops etc. can be cooked for you and
ter, eggs, etc. etc.
your buddy simultaneously.
7. A chopping board is a great boon for
2. Fire Dixie another essential for saving
food preparation and for using as a lap
your precious gas stocks. Since we of-
tray. Carry it outside your kayak if your
ten have a wee fire when camping a
hatches are small.
pot for heating water makes sense.
Since it tends to become covered with 8. A measuring cup should be carried.
soot a bag should also be carried to This can also double as a wine glass.
keep other stuff clean.
9. Large pots on small gas trivets sitting
3. Matches. Carry a strip of sandpaper in on an uneven surface are an accidents
your watertight match container. waiting to happen. Consideration
should be given to the Trangia style
If you really want to be sure of getting
stoves or at least a grill, sufficiently
your match to light dip the heads into
large supported on four stakes driven
some melted candle wax before
into the ground for example.
putting them in your container.
10. A Folding toaster (£4-£5) is well worth
Sometimes rain and drizzle can prevent
carrying
gas lighters from working and matches
can easily become damp. 11. A Toastie maker if one can be obtained
is a luxury essential
4. Toasting fork. Not an essential but
good for toasting donuts and for mak- Make sure that all you identity mark your kit
ing toast at the campfire. The cheapest .That way it wont get lost
two-pronged BBQ utensil is ideal and if
you can obtain an old mini folding um-
brella shaft and adapt it to the fork you
can sit in comfort at the fire and not be
cooked too.

5. A cutlery box for holding in addition to

k.f.& s, the toasting fork, fish lifter,
corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener,
 A Blast from the past
Islay December 1971 by Anne and Hamish Gow

The campsite at the mouth of West loch Tarbert provided our usual
jumping off point, out across the Sound of Jura to the isles beyond, in this
instance Islay.
The open out look gives the canoeist plenty scope in sizing up the right
weather conditions necessary before venturing forth into the Sound. In
this respect we were most fortunate, and we stopped off on Gigha just to
make sure, before paddling on to the coast of Islay.
The stretch between Mc Arthur’s Head and port Ellen is without doubt
one of the most interesting and freakish coastlines one is likely to come
across. Low reefs - rounded and jagged - form a splatter of jumbled
islands all the way into Port Ellen, where we eventually arrived two days
out from the West Loch.
That evening it was necessary to frequent some of the local Hostelries in
order to glean from the locals all the information concerning tides, winds
etc. ( This is one of the Hazards of canoeing - interpreting the various tidal
streams of beer, overfalls of Guinness and half submerged rocks of
whisky, as one is buffeted by changing conditions from all points of the
compass).
The reason for all these non canoeing activities lay ahead in the shape of
the Mull of Oa and the Rhinns of Portnahaven - two of the most exposed
headlands on the west coast. The gist of all the information received from
the local worthies of Port Ellen was that it was essential to round the Oa
on the ebb tide, as the tides are very strong and would carry us round and
across Loch Indaal. However, the most important aspect of all this was
that the main tidal stream round the Oa was about a quarter of a mile out,
which was just as well.
Next morning was “chust sublime”, as we paddled away from the
hangovers and overfalls residing in the bars of Port Ellen. A shimmering
void of sky and glassy sea stretch-out before the dipping bow of our canoe
as our senses came to terms with the swaying golden orb hanging in the
sky.
Peaceful, but not for long. The high cliffs of the Oa completely overwhelm
one challenging further progress. Rusted remains of dead ships litter the
rocks and boulder strewn beaches, leaving no doubt in your mind what
this place must be like in bad weather. Those factors in themselves were
not frightening, but the tide stream - leaving and
breaking out to our left was. It seemed all the more sinister in the calm,
smooth sea.
Not a place to linger we decided, as it wouldn’t take much wind to bring
the tide race into the cliffs. The swell was glassy and rolling as we
sloughed across loch Indaal, while out to our left the tide stream arced like
a serpents tail towards Portnahaven. Well named indeed, for here the
tide and swell meet in huge dollops of sea, tossing the canoe about like a
cork until we burst through into the comparatively calm waters by the
lighthouse on the isle of Orsay leading into the haven. Well, that’s the
worst over, we thought, until we heard of Frenchman’s Rocks. On
checking the map, we found that they consisted of a small cluster of rocks
lying about two hundred yards off the south west tip of Portnahaven.
The following day, as the wind was blowing fresh from the west, I
wandered over to the headland to see what the conditions were like.“Well,
that’s that “,I said to myself, “ We’ll either have to go back round the Oa or
portage over into Loch Indaal.” The combination of wind,sea and tide,
plus the swell piling in from the south west, presented an awesome
profusion of breaking seas both inside and outside Frenchman’s Rocks.
Dejectedly I went back to tell Anne that it would only be possible in slack
water with no wind, for otherwise we’d had it. The second day was
viewed with mounting apprehension, as wind and sea continued to under
mine our resolve to carry on. It seemed that our legs, and Fred’s trolley
were going to have to take over. However, on the third day, the tent told
us that all was quiet and still, and on looking out, the welcome sight of sea
mist shrouding the coast told us that there wwould be no wind this day.
The seas were still a bit bumpy as we cautiously paddled out through the
gap with the west coast of Islay stretching vaguely ahead. There are some
other obstacles worth mentioning on this part of the coast,- apart from the
exposure, - in the form of reefs forcing the canoeist out from the coast.
Also there are no landing spots until a good fifteen miles up the coast in
the first sandy cove at Sanaigmore Bay which is not threatened by swell
and surf. There we camped and relaxed, feeling for the first time that the
worst was over.
Next day found us paddling inside Nuve Island, then across the wide
mouth of Loch Gruinart and past the Stone Age housing scheme which
dots the last of the north west coast, ending at Rhuvaal lighthouse.
In the remaining days, Colonsay was visited,then back across to West loch
Tarbert to complete the circuit. To sum up, Islay is without doubt, one
of the worst islands to round by canoe, even in good conditions. Some
you go back to, - Not Islay. As for Anne and me, not by a tide rip!!
 Workparty weekend
2,3 October 2010
A sterling turnout of willing workers
on both Saturday and Sunday saw
great improvements in boatsheds 1
and 2. Much junk that had
accumulated over the last several
years was rooted out and floors
swept clean. The door wall of No. 2
shed was given a coat of paint ,
covering the gaps caused by the
removal of the shelving; surplus
chairs were relocated into No 1
shed along with tubs of BBQ stuff
onto a spare (high level) berth. The
Genny was also relocated to the far
end of Shed No1 and wired up by
Gerry. This made a great reduction
to the heard noise in No2 shed
allowing the lights to be on without
deafening those sitting and working
there. The gable wall was also
given a coat of paint and makes the
place look brighter. The walls near
the door would not take paint as
they were so wet. The rain at times
was torrential and we will have to
see how effective John Mackie’s
pointing is. It had been our
intention to remove all boats to
allow the main walls to be painted
but the inclement weather
prevented this. Spare (unmarked)
paddles have been temporarily
relocated within No 2 shed.
Unclaimed paddles will be
disposed of by auction at the next
BBQ. YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED
A great clearing of rhododendron
bushes and a drainage ditch by No2
shed was undertaken by Derek in
addition to the clearing of the
“emergency” path by him and
others. Neil fitted the solar powered
security light to No1 shed. Jimmy
Watt (now in his eighty eighth year
brushed the leaves off No2 shed
roof and reported that No1 roof
looks in poor shape.
(Asbestos/cement corrugated
sheeting)
The grass has been cut, hedges
and trees along the path trimmed
and a lot of sundry iron and plastic
detritus have been grubbedup and
will be disposed of by Gerry and
his trailer in the near future.
Many thanks to all those who took
part :- Derek Mc Guire, Malky
Macleod, Jimmy Watt, Graeme
Beattie, John Mackie, Neil
Hammond, Gerry Clifford, Davy
Mason, Drew Wilson and Dave
Millar.
Although much was done a great
deal of work still needs to be
undertaken. I have listed some of
the more important items. So, if you
have a day free contact me, or any
of the committee, to arrange a visit
and get some of the work done.
Shed 3. Doors to be painted with
preservative, walls with masonry
paint.
Shed 2 Racking for lifejackets,
spray decks, clothing, paddles etc
to be made, changing area to be
built, el. sockets to be installed,
New notice board also.
Shed 1. Internal walls painted,
pointing of brickwork, Safety guard
over exhaust pipe, Steel door to be
trimmed, anti-vibration mounts to
be fitted to genset.
Pathway at road gate. Concrete
step(s) to be made TMP