River Meig Gorge guiding 17 June 2011

Ian, Tim and Genni overlooking the beautiful Scatwell Gorge on the River Meig.

This superb gorge is undoubtedly one of Scotland's finest and it is even more remarkable that none of the paddling is harder than grade 4.

The first drop after the weir at the put in.....leads immediately to.........

"Entrance Exam", a three part cascade which looks frightening from the lip!

But is surprisingly friendly....if you get it right!

After "Entrance Exam" comes "Fresh Squeezed".

Followed a series of fine drops and features.......

Leading to the centrepiece of the Scatwell Gorge, "Teacup Falls".


More great drops and a fabulous arch......


...lead through impressively inaccessible rock scenery to the end of the difficulties.

Meig gorge. A Scottish classic.

Etive and Garry June 16th 2011

Paddle guiding again with Tim, Genni and Ian, this time at the River Etive and Garry.

An unusual angle shot of Ian coming over Block Falls on the Etive.

Another angle on the same drop, this time capturing Tim's run.

Genni taking the second drop on Triple Falls.

......and here busting through the wave at Bridge Rapid on the Garry.

Spean Gorge Guiding 15th June 2011

Guiding day on Spean Gorge with Tim, Genni and Ian. Low level, but nice flow
for the gorge. Still power in main rapids and drops.

Ian

Genni

Early rapids in the gorge......

Genni runs Fairy Steps after rolling on the first part.

Tim taking the stopper mid rapid.

The right angle corner.

Heading for the exit in Fairy Steps.

Boogie water in the gorge.

Ian at the longer grade three rapid

Genni takes a tight turn.

Ian likewise.
Tim.

Looking back to Headbanger after portaging the ugly looking drop.

On the lip of the Cauldron.

Approaching the constriction through fine rock scenery

And squeezing through.

The final challenge in the gorge.

Nice paddle. Lovely scenery and warm day, albeit a wee bit drizzly.

Polldubh climbing with Chris Ravey 4 June 2011

Great day climbing at Polldubh with Chris Ravey,

starting with Flying Dutchman, then Spike Wall

and finally Pandora leading onto the classic Phantom Slab seen here,

a little hard perhaps for the VS 4c grade?

The entire pitch has only a couple of sizeable holds.

St Abbs and Coldingham 2/3 June 2011

Coldingham beach in Berwickshire, a really nice cove just south of St Abbs.



St Abbs harbour, where shore dives are available. Magnificent dives.

Seagull Rock, the double stack to the right in this picture is a wonderful shore dive.
The fault creates a huge 10m deep cave on the far side, and in places there are sandy bottoms interspersed with kelp forests, all teeming with life.

Moy Burn 29 May 2011

Walking into Moy Burn with Callum Anderson

Hectic downhill kayaking........

Chris taking one of the many fast technical chutes.......

Round screaming corners...........

.....and fast slides through holes......


.....with only occasional small eddies.......

and Callum taking a bigger drop into a constricted pool.....

......before we headed to the Upper Spean which was flowing on a two pipe release from Laggan dam.

River Roy, great level 24th May 2011

Excellent levels on the Roy today, that perfect flow that makes Upper, Gorge and Lower all good runs.

Cool and showery weather kept the river topped up.

Stewart Anderton came out for a day's guiding.

Seen here on Rooster Tail.

Looking down the lower half of Wish You Were Here, and truthfully we are glad you weren't!

The final runout of the same rapid.

Setting out into the lower gorge, just below "Boof or die". Nice day.

Finished by running the middle Spean to Spean Bridge. The dam at laggan has opened up and so we were able to enjoy a pretty big flow. The big ledge was almost gone, just a big curling wave.

3 Star Sea Kayak Training 21/22 May 2011

2 days sea kayak training. Very tricky weather conditions.

First day Ballachulish to Kentallan area

Seconnd day circumnavigation of Eriska at entrance to Loch Creran.
Tarpaulin shelter demonstrated at lunchtime as seen here.