Loch Awe(some)

Well after many months of planning and training the day came when we were going to complete the 3 Lakes Challenge and take on the mighty Loch Awe! 25 miles of open water, 8-10 hours of paddling and potentially a million midges stood between us and the finish line. 

We had been watching the weather for days and confirmed Tuesday 26th May was on. Jacqui (and Steve), Steve (and Marie) and me)and (and Justine) all met up at the top of Loch Awe in the pub where we were basing ourselves for the few days around the paddle. Claire (and Simon) were down the other end of the Lake in the luxury of the Torran Bay Hostel 🤣, no she hadn’t lost the memo, Claire decided to get a bit of a lie in before the paddle. We got boats loaded and kit sorted ready for the next day and Jacqui had us up ready to depart at 6am (on holiday!). We finally got going when Steve discovered that Jacqui and Simon were actually up and ready, just sitting in the car to avoid the midges! So super excited Jacqui, Steve and Simon set off down Loch Awe to meet up with Claire.

After a long drive on single track roads through the forest we eventually got to the other end of the lake, met Claire and Simon who were being eaten alive by midges, got ourselves set up and off we went, Simon T waving us off and taking photos. The start was a little nervous (after all that prep would we make it) and a bit of excitement. All that soon turned into hard work, the wind picked up and we were paddling into waves for the first hour (that wasn’t in the forecast!).

However, Loch Awe is long and twists and turns and after the first hour the wind dropped and paddling was made easier. Shortly after that we turned and saw two islands in the distance framing the massive Ben Cruachan (1,126m) and we all gazed in awe!! What a view, that must be how this loch got its name. A view that remained with us for much of the journey, with the loch shores providing different scenes to add to the back drop.

Soon after we had break one, we were going to stop at one of the islands, but the wind dropping meant we had picked up speed and the lack of a nice midge free spot on the island meant we moved on further up to stop at a small beach. Refreshed we got back on the water and paddled further on, remaining impressed by the different views, focussing on our paddling and chatting amongst ourselves. The weather was good and the water calm, what more can you ask for?

We passed by the island group which includes Innis Chonell, which contains the ruin of a castle. It was around this point I could hear music playing, we were quite a way off shore and I couldn’t work out where it was coming from, then it all became clear. Steve had got the party boat going and we were entertained with 80’s classics. Not sure if it was the beat or what, but the pace certainly picked up when Ian Dury started ‘hit me with your rhythm stick!