ARDUAINE TO ELLENABEICH - 11km / 6Nm ARDUAINE TO CRINAN - 19km / 10Nm PARKING Argyll Sea The parking area provided at Arduaine is intended 56°13.841’N 5°32.937’W to 56°17.693’N 5°39.066’W 56°26.274’N 5°28.228’W to 56°05.186’N 5°32.848’W solely for paddlers making use of the Argyll Sea Grid Reference 801099 to 742174 Grid Reference 801099 to 794938 Kayak Trail. Arduaine is a sensitive access site, and respect must OS Landranger Map 49 & 55 OS Landranger Map 55 be shown for both the parking spaces available, and the local OS Explorer Map 359 OS Explorer Map 358 & 359 residents. Under no circumstances should any person park overnight, Easdale Sound. Pass the old ruined pier, and turn in behind the Once successfully navigated through, a course is set towards unless making use of the trail. ferry pier into a naturally formed bay. The gently sloping shoreline Liath-sgeir Mhòr, then passing between Eilean nan Coinean and There is a large car park at Ellenabeich. Continue right to the end in the far corner provides the egress point. the mainland, the longest stretch across open water. Continue of the village,following the signs, until you come to the car park into Loch Crinan, past Rubha Garbh-ard, Rudha na Mòine and at the western end. Please avoid parking in the small car park the stately Duntrune Castle into the mouth of the River Add. close to the ferry terminal. The egress point is a slipway (Grid Reference 794938) opposite Argyll Sea Kayak Trail Crinan Ferry, giving an easy portage up to the Crinan Canal. Aim for the Trail Marker sign. Follow the grassy path up to the Slighe Curcachan Earra-Ghàidheil LITTER canal, where you can launch directly from the purpose built Paddlers visiting any of the access points on the Argyll Sea low level access jetty, south of the swing bridge. Kayak Trail are asked to follow the Leave No Trace principle. There is no litter bin provided at the Arduaine site, so all litter From here you can head north into Crinan to the main access must be removed by paddlers and disposed of responsibly. point, or continue south to the Ardrishaig access point Arduaine (approx. 12km). To get to Crinan, and the main access point, follow the canal to SAILING the north, and disembark at the trail landing area. Follow the ADDITIONAL TRAIL ROUTES The Argyll Sea Kayak Trail follows the Argyll coastline, used & DEVIATIONS path through the woodland, and join the main path that heads extensively by sailing vessels. Please be mindful of other water down to the car park. users at all times, and act responsibly. Numerous deviations exist for these sections of the trail. When leaving from Arduaine, you can head to Ganavan via Seil Sound and Clachan Sound, passing under Clachan Bridge, the Bridge over the Atlantic. Plan passage carefully here, as fast tidal streams run. Adding Luing, Shuna or TIDAL DIFFERENCES Please follow the seven Torsa into your trip is possible, but Luing is only for the more experienced FROM OBAN HW AND SPEEDS TIDAL DIFFERENCES paddler. FROM OBAN HW AND SPEEDS Leave No Trace principles Sound of Kerrera Northern Stream starts +0430 HW Oban If heading for Crinan, you could include passage around Shuna through Sound of Jura Northern Stream starts +0400 HW Oban 1 Plan Ahead and Prepare Shuna Sound, or even Torsa and Luing passing down through the Sound of Southern Stream starts -0155 Route start Route finish Tidal Route start Route finish Tidal (South of Crinan) Southern Stream starts -0205 Luing. point point hazards 1.5kn springs point point hazards 2 Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 4kn springs For a more committed route, perhaps as day trips, Scarba, Lunga or the Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2014 Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2014 3 Dispose of Waste Properly Garvellachs are possible. If heading to Scarba, the Gulf of Corryvreckan Clachan Sound Northern Stream starts +0555 HW Oban Dorus Mòr Western Stream starts +0330 HW Oban and the famous whirlpool are accessible (although only in certain tidal Southern Stream starts -0025 DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE Eastern Stream starts -0215 4 Leave What You Find conditions and for those suitably experienced) as well as the northern DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE From the access point, paddle across Asknish Bay to the far 5kn springs Starting off in a southerly direction, the trail follows the coast 8kn springs coast of Jura. Please see Hazards section. The Grey Dogs tidal race runs 5 Minimize Campfire Impacts point of the bay. You can now see Eilean Gamhna, your next down to Craobh Haven, past a number of bays and potential between Lunga and Scarba, so again avoid unless at slack water. Please see Seil Sound Northern Stream starts +0525 HW Oban Shuna Sound Northern Stream starts +0430 HW Oban Hazards section. target. From here, you choose to either paddle to the small islet rest stops down to Eilean Ona, Achanarnich Bay and Loch Beag. 6 Respect Wildlife Southern Stream starts -0055 Southern Stream starts -0155 of Scoul Eilean and then round the southern end of Torsa, or to Continuing further, Craignish Point is soon reached, with the Please plan accordingly for the extra time required, and the various tidal 0.5kn springs 1kn springs 7 Be Considerate of Other Visitors streams that will be encountered. Degnish Point and on around the northern end of Torsa - both infamous Dorus Mòr round the corner. If wanting to avoid the Dorus Mòr section of the Trail, a portage is possible are the same distance. The southern route squeezes between Sound of Luing Western Stream starts +0430 HW Oban The member-driven Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics Cuan Sound Northern Stream starts +0420 HW Oban This stretch of water is subject to very strong tidal flows, and from Loch Beag to Bàgh Dùn Mhuilig, along the B8002. Find a suitable Luing and Torsa, whilst the northern route gives views up into Eastern Stream starts -0155 teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This Southern Stream starts -0200 can be very dangerous. Passage should only be attempted place to egress the water on the eastern shore of Loch Beag, and follow the Seil Sound. 4kn springs copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission 6kn springs by those suitably experienced, and at slack water. Please see road to Kirkton and the access to Loch Craignish. Once afloat, you could from the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics: explore the various islands within the loch, before making your way to You will now be approaching Cuan Sound, which has fast flowing Hazards section. An alternative route is to portage from Gulf of Corryvreckan Western Stream starts +0410 HW Oban Torsa Northern Stream starts +0415 HW Oban www.LNT.org the mainland and then down to Eilean nan Coinean. Follow the main trail tidal streams and ferry movements. Please see Hazards section. Loch Beag to Bàgh Dùn Mhuilig, see Additional Trail Routes Eastern Stream starts -0210 description from here. Southern Stream starts -0200 After carefully navigating this section, follow the coastline up & Deviations. 8.5kn springs Continuing to Ardrishaig along the Crinan Canal is possible, if planning a 1kn spring past Henderson’s Rock, before making for long, committed day. Check the website for details – www.paddleargyll.org.uk HM Coastguard Further details of the canal can be found at www.scottishcanals.co.uk Maritime & Coastguard Agency - www.dft.gov.uk/mca HAZARDS Stornoway 01851 706796 Car Park The Cuan Sound is a tidal section that demands respect. The tide squeezes Portage Trolley Operational Area: Cape Wrath to Ardfern (Mainland) including between Luing and Seil at up to 6kn in spring tides. If intending to paddle Collection/Return Mean High Tide Springs South to and including Isle of Mull, Luing and Scarba. Barra Head to this section, please make sure that you only do so at slack water. The Cuan-Luing ferry runs at regular times, and needs to be avoided. Please Butt of Lewis and St Kilda Crinan Canal Low Level ensure your own safety and that of other paddlers, by only crossing the Landing Area Belfast 02891 463933 ferry route when safe to do so. Lock No. 14 The tidal stream at Dorus Mòr is the main hazard on this section of the Public Operational Area: Mull of Galloway to Ardfern, including the Islands trail, and must be respected by all. Spring tides can generate tidal streams A816 Toilet Access Path (North to and including Jura and Colonsay) of 8kn, so careful planning is necessary Canal Basin to allow safe passage, aiming for just before/after slack water. Trail Sign Large eddies form around Garbh Rèisa, which can hamper progress if Access Point Loch Crinan (Natural Slipway) Drop Zone caught in them, so constant vigilance will help to Ferry Terminal Useful organisations and read the water ahead. Car Park Portage Trolley Lighthouse Collection/Return Crinan Sea Lock Oce contact details When a spring flood tide and a north-westerly wind combine, rough water Road Point (01546 830285) Lock is produced, with many breaking waves. Road Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code - www.marinecode.org Trail Sign Please be prepared to delay your crossing until appropriate Securing Providing guidelines and advice when watching wildlife in Scotland. tidal and/or weather conditions are present. Rings Car Park Canal Basin Access THE THREE PRINCIPLES Due to the nature of this hazard, only those with appropriate experience Public Toilets Ramp 1 Be Aware by learning as much as you can about the animals should attempt this section of the trail.