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This is a classic canoe-camping trip, but an easy one in beautiful scenery. It involves 3 rivers, one of them very short, and two lochs. I have chosen this route as an introduction for paddlers with open canoes who sail, but who have probably not undertaken anything beyond a day trip before. Many long trips in Scotland include horrendous portages, which can seriously discourage people! A further two reasons are that this is an area near to Stirling in central Scotland, easy for weekend travel, and that there is a 'proper' campsite halfway down. (This is one of the
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routes included in the new guide to Scottish rivers and lochs, due out this summer).
The overall route is 13 miles or so, not too great; it starts on a wee flat river near the top of Balquhidder (the name for the whole glen), the River Larig, which after half a mile flows into a short loch, Loch Doine. This is a mile long (no road access on to it), and then a very short connecting river takes the paddler into Loch Voil. This has a road along the north shore, the south is wild, and is plenty large enough to sail. At the end, the River Balvaig winds across a flat plain, with only a few shallows, towards Strathyre, a village on the main road from Callendar up to Crianlarich. The campsite is a few hundred yards downstream from here. From the campsite is half a mile or so down to Loch Lubnaig (a bit too long to paddle up, but it has been done), and another 3 miles of loch gives plenty of paddling and sailing opportunities. This trip is designed for 'genuine' open canoes, not multi-hulls etc.
There is only one possible problem - this area is very popular in summer, especially because Balquhidder village (at the end of Loch Voil) boasts Rob Roy's grave. Travel on the single-track roads can be tedious, and parking becomes impossible after late morning. Therefore, I am suggesting meeting up on the Friday night at the campsite and doing the upper stretch down to the campsite on the Saturday, starting early. On the Sunday, we can paddle/sail down Loch Lubnaig, having left vehicles early at the bottom car park.
If some souls wish to camp en route, then fine. The whole area is not too wild or remote, although the mountain scenery is great.
Outriggers - What Do You Think? (RoyB)
Readers may remember that in the March and April editions of last year's GOSSIP [actually May and July 2004 - Ed.] we had a lively and interesting series of contributions on leeboards. This year I'm asking for material on outriggers. With the successful arrival of Solway Dory's tri-hull 4 years ago, we saw that outriggers brought a new element into canoe sailing and since then we have seen a greater awareness of the possibilities, in which safety has played a significant part.
So, what is their purpose, what size, shape, position, buoyancy, fastenings might they have, what is your experience of these things? Please send me any material you think appropriate. Photos or diagrams will help, but are not essential. I look forward your contributions.
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