Explorer and Independent Biologist

Friday 29 October 2010

Loch Fyne

Loch Fyne is the largest of the Argyll sea lochs, being several miles wide in places, and I left until last to explore. Loch Fyne is famous for its kippers and its oysters.

Loch Fyne looking seaward on an Autumn afternoon, 
just as the sun is starting to burn off the hill mist

I decided to launch at the little village of Otter Ferry, near the mouth of the loch. The location is indicated by the green arrow in the map in the post below this.

At Otter Ferry: can you see the distant structure on the horizon, 
just to the right of my boat's flag?

That is a navigation mark which indicates the start of the inner section of Loch Fyne. 
It lies 1.2 miles (2km) out from the shore and to reach it would represent the furthest I have ever paddled out from the shore...

Should I attempt the voyage?

I set off and look over my shoulder at the the village of Otter Ferry. 
The larger building is The Oystercatcher pub and oyster bar, 
renowned for serving the freshest oysters straight out of the loch

After half an hour's steady paddling, I round the mark. 
You can just make out the white houses of Otter Ferry on the shore.

Back on shore, I visit The Oystercatcher pub

A challenging environment, a 4x4 car, a tent, a boat, a fishing rod, 
a pub, pint of good ale  and a plate of oysters.

What more could a man possibly want!

9 comments:

  1. OMG!!!! I HAVE to go there! its simply perfect! you are spot on mate- what more can a man want apart from a good shiela to shuck the oysters and gut any fish caught....

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  2. Simon, now you mention it, someone to clean the gear and get the boat back on the car roof rack while I was having the beer would have been useful.

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  3. Maalie, I think you certainly earned those oysters. Pity there wasn't a "sheila" around to share them with you ;)
    I'm going to Loch Fyne's in Cambridge in two weeks, and I shall think of you, but I', sure the fish won't taste anywhere near as good as that which you tasted. When we visited Scotland, I ate the best king scallops ever caught from a local loch, and my son said their mussels were the best he has ever eaten. The fish is to die for there.

    I love the new blog, btw, very contemporary.

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  4. yes thats what I thought, but then you might have to get a kayak built for two and then you get a potential conflict of direction, distance, time, weather,.....

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  5. Hello Lorenzo.... ahahah!

    BTW Jim is the Kayak quite "dry"? or do you get wet?

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  6. Looks like it was a great time. I love the first shot in this series, btw. Very nice!

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  7. just happened upon your blog. enjoyed pictures of kayaking in another part of the world. all my kayaking has been in alaska, i may need to branch out...thanks!

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  8. Thanks for comments everyone.

    Simon, it is a "sit-on-top" style so you get quite wet from drips from the paddles and fishing tackle. I tend to wear waterproof trousers over the wetsuit and a cagoul as well if rain is threatened.

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