PADDLER 86
Words: Emy McLeod Photos: Emy McLeod
PADDLER 86
AN OPEN CANOE
CLASSIC
THE RANNOCH CROSSING
Words: Emy McLeod Photos: Emy McLeod
A rare opportune weather window in winter, tailwinds, little rain forecasted, and a lack of snow provided the ideal conditions for a canoe expedition in January. Kicking off the 2025 paddling season with an open boat classic, this is The Rannoch Crossing, bringing a combination of traditional skills, river paddling, open water journeying, and the odd portage.
The Rannoch Crossing is a west-to-east journey originating at the Black Mount south of Glencoe. It links up bodies of water through lochs and rivers, following the watershed and joining the River Tay system. Certainly, it is a trip that should be on the radar for open boaters.
After an early start from Strathspey, we headed west to our put-in at Loch Ba. The wind was picking up, and we were keen to get the sails up and take advantage of it early on. It was also a great early season trip to test out some new kit we both had with us. For myself, a new canoe – the Phoenix by Hou Canoes, having only been outfitted a few days prior, I was keen to get it on the water in various conditions. For Liam, time to put the new Palm Gradient shoes through their paces with paddling and portaging!