The Paddler ezine Issue 50 Autumn/Fall 2019 | Page 94

ThePADDLER 94 M I D S U M M E R A C R O S S T H E Words: Richard Janes Photos: Gethin Roberts and Richard Janes Rich Janes and Geth Roberts (Sea Kayaking Wales), visit the Shiant islands from Reinigeadal and continue to Uig (Skye). Summer Solstice! Wind (BF 5/6) and beyond as the squalls roar against the tent and shred our plans with its non forecast persistence. Storm bound on a tiny island in Loch Tarbert (Harris, Western Isles) whose real estate we explored whilst the kettle boiled. The previous day we had managed to circumnavigate Scalpay, which tempted us with her interesting lighthouse on the SE tip at Eilean Glas. The original lighthouse was built in 1788-9 and the first to be built in the Western Isles. Blowing against an ebbing tide, we found challenging seas here. Clapotic hurdles for laden boats in the race towards the lighthouse. Checking weather forecasts enough to flatten batteries gave us hope that the moderate forecast for around 2.5 days would remain. And we made a plan! Kayak back to Uig (Skye) across The Minch via the Shiant Islands. Our launch point to be the Bothy in Glen Reinigeadal from an early start.