Balazs & Timea Kayak, Gairloch
All the way from Hungary to drive the NC500, Balazs and Timea came out with me kayaking from Gairloch Harbour. We had a great time paddling around the coastline, seeing the seals and having fun. 
Smith Kayak, Gairloch
Fiona and Bruce left the kids at home this afternoon as they joined me for a paddle. We headed out from the harbour to explore the coastline. It was a good paddle with a nice selection of wildlife on route and a few seals to keep us company.
Fisher Kayak, Mellon Charles
The beautiful sunshine continued into the afternoon, the beach got busier (at least a handful of other folk on the beach – busy in Wester Ross terms!), and the Fisher family arrived to see me again. I’ve paddled with them for quite a few years now, but for some reason they keep coming back.
This time Rob and Letty left Erin and Louise at home but brought Bram, Madelief, Roelien and Antony along. We had a great time paddling around in kayaks, exploring around the rocky coastline and ending up on their holiday accommodation’s beach. We bumped into Louise and Erin for a brew, then headed back onto the water for more paddling and games.
Slevin paddle, Mellon Charles
It was a great day of weather after a number of winter days that had slipped into summer somehow. The water was still, the sun shone and everyone was happy. Chris, Rosie, Edgar and Audrey joined me in Mellon Charles for a pleasant paddle, initially in canoes and then kayaks. It was even the sort of day that I didn’t mind getting wet!
Webster & Co Kayak, Badachro
Danny, Rebecca, Tom, Hannah, Hayley, Andy, Jason and Clare met me on a sunny afternoon in Badachro. With various levels of experience we set off to learn about the boats and how to handle them, enjoying a nice paddle in the sunshine with the seals.
Henderson Paddle, Badachro
David, Susan and young Erynn met me in Badachro for a fun session to try out canoeing and kayaking. We first set off in canoes on the hunt for seals, then we headed out in kayaks for more fun on the water.
Ritchie & Co Kayak, Shieldaig
It was a special day and holiday for these folk, Donald was celebrating his birthday today and just a few days earlier Duncan and Mandy got married. What better way to celebrate than a session on the water with Ewe Canoe?!…
We had a great, fun session on the water (and in the water for a few folk!). An enjoyable evening for all.
Ben & Graeme Kayak and Firefighting, Badachro
I met Ben and Graeme at Badachro for a kayak session, just as we prepared to get on the water we were alerted to an out of control fire threatening the houses on Eilean Horrisdale. We set off for the island to give the few local folk already there a hand tackling the fire. The fire was spreading quickly due to the fact that we’ve had little rain in the past few weeks, so last years bracken is so dry and easily lit. The fire was beaten down with oars and bucket of water, keeping it away from the buildings. By the time that the local fire brigade had arrive on the island we had managed to put the fire out.
We then headed off to continue our session, seeing plenty of seals and scenery.
Canoe training
I’ve been spending some time coaching some canoe skills recently. The wind chose not to help us at all – paddling a canoe solo in the wind can be quite tricky when you’re practising your strokes! Paddling tandem is of course far easier, assuming teamwork skills are ok!
Hobson Kayak, Gairloch
Adam and his daughters Erin and Katie joined me for the afternoon session. We headed out from Gairloch Harbour on the sit on top kayaks, seeing the coastline from the water level is always great – no matter how many times I do it.
Cole Kayak, Gairloch
Simon, Finlay and Erin joined me again for their second adventure with Ewe Canoe. This time we headed out from Gairloch Harbour on a calmer day amongst windy ones. They remembered their paddling strokes well and we were soon on our way, playing games and seeing wildlife.
Rhodes Kayak
Allison and William have been paddling with me for years, they keep coming back to Wester Ross as many times a year as they can, always keen to get out paddling! We had a lovely day paddling, a great place to paddle on a calm day.
Crawford Pauwels Paddling, Shieldaig and Gairloch
Amanda and Edwin joined me for a kayak from next to the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. We had a nice paddle around the loch , seeing plenty of seals swimming around us.
On our second meeting Amanda and Edwin brought along Archie, Marsaili and Abigail. This time we set off from Gairloch Harbour in the big canoes. After mastering some paddling strokes we played some games and set off around the coastline to see the dramatic coastline.
Shepherd Loffill Kayak, Gairloch
Eloise and Elizabeth joined me in the afternoon for a paddle from Gairloch harbour. We headed out in the sea kayaks, sadly it was a very low tide meaning we had a fair way to carry the boats but once we got on the water it meant we had fantastic views of the sea bed. The weather was great for the end of October, giving us good paddling conditions to see the coastline and wildlife.
Graham Kayak, Gairloch
Doug and Lily where on their honeymoon, travelling around the North Coast 500 #NC500. They had just spent a night with the Pool House in Poolewe, so after a great breakfast they where ready to explore the coastline. We headed out in the sea kayaks, practised some skills and then headed off. On our journey we spotted seals, star fish, urchins, herons and oyster catchers to name a few.
Congratulations on your marriage, I hope the rest of your honeymoon went as well as our trip!
Rippin Martin Kayak, Mellon Charles
Clare, Carol and John Angus joined me for a paddle at Mellon Charles. We chose to use the sit on top kayaks – they’re great for learning kayak skills with and handle well in the breeze that we had. It was tough going in the wind, but they all got the hang of the boats quickly. They all grew up in the area but hadn’t paddled along the coastline before so were able to see it from a different perspective.
Clare and Carol’s parents are just retiring from their butchers shop in Aultbea, if anyone wants a great business opportunity look here.
Josiah Ogilvie-Taylor Kayak, Gairloch
Jo, Abigail and Richard were in the area visiting family and enjoying the beautiful Wester Ross scenery. We went for a paddle from Gairloch Harbour on some sit on top kayaks. Abigail is more used to paddling on the Thames, not a place you want to fall in – unlike the crystal clear waters up here, Richard couldn’t wait to jump in with the seals!
Gairloch High School Paddle, Shieldaig
The Activity Tourism class and Rural Skills class joined me, along with their teachers Mrs Johnston and Mr Milner, for a day out in the boats. The aim for them was to learn about Ewe Canoe, learn some paddling skills and of course have some fun. After setting off in midge hoods we were soon able to take them off and enjoy the sunshine, couldn’t have asked for a better day.
It was clear from the start that some boats were going to capsize, by the end most folk had a good soaking. Had a great time with them paddling around the coast for lunch on an island and playing plenty of wet games.
