August 2006. Launch at Ulva Ferry OS:48 GR:445398
You can reverse down to the slipway to unload but don’t park in the official car park for the ferry overnight without paying the charge. Instead, drive a little further away from the slip and park on north side of road.
You can read why we chose this kayak route at the bottom of the page.
Tidal Information
Generally in area
N stream -0555 / S stream +0015 HW Oban 0.75 kn springs
Staffa
We hoped to camp on the Treshnish Isles and left Ulva Ferry in a Force 3-4 rising to 5 N/NW. Later, the 13.10 VHF forecast predicted the wind would rise during the next 24 hours to F4-5 N/NW. Out here there’s no shelter and a F5 is a full-on blow. We thought the trend was rising and might even reach F6. We didn’t want to get stuck on the Treshnish Isles, so we decided to head for Gometra to camp and defer the decision until the next day. Even though the crossing to Staffa had been in a beam sea it had been straightforward, but heading to Gometra was much harder as the wind had risen and was now against tide. The 17.10 VHF was now forecasting F5-6 N/NW for tomorrow, so the Treshnish Isles were off. The following morning, I recorded a windspeed of 20kn on land, which is the top end of F5. Heading out among the many white-horses was great fun, knowing we had only to travel down the edge of Gometra. The moment we headed out of the N wind the sea died to almost calm. To extend our paddle we crossed to Inch Kenneth and explored the fascinating ruined chapel.