Getting the kids involved in the outdoors.

[davyowens]

Some pics from a multi day wild camping trip to the Inverpollaidh area in the far northwest - with an aim to introducing my very keen wee girl - Kimberly - to kayaking, wild camping & wilderness trips. After sorting out the logistics of taking my seven year old on such a trip, it turned out to be a very rewarding experience for us all...who knows, it might even grow into something lifelong...the next generation.

Camping in the Inverpollaidh area...Ben Mor Coigach in the background..

Getting in some practice.

Rigging up a stable catamaran type thingey for the wean...worked a treat.

A wild windswept peninsula with awsome character....loch Osgaig with the peaks of stac polladidh, cul beag & ben mor as a backdrop.

....and fine beaches...the mighty ridge of Suilven in the top right background.

The delight on the weans face makes up for the constraints & logistical burden of bringing her along....

And of course the troops still managed to squeeze in plenty of beers & banter....

 

[telwebb]

Great stuff - and a cracking looking location too!

 

[hog]

Cockleshell heroes.

 

[Mesquite]

That's great, thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Shewie]

Good to see Dave, your young un looks well happy

Where is Inverpollaidh ? I need to visit in my canoe one day



EDIT:

Just found it on Anquet. looks amazing even at 1:50k

 

[davyowens]

Shewie

From wikipedia...You can copy & paste the link below if you want but there's loads of stuff online about the area

'Inverpolly {inverpollaidh} is the name given to a large area of western Sutherland in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, north of Ullapool. The area contains several prominent hills, rising up from a rough landscape of bogs and lochans. For many years the area was designated National Nature Reserve but since 2004, the designation has been limited to the area of Knockan Crag'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverpolly

That was my first time that far north & we had to tone down our plans big time for the wean - but the area has some potential for canoeing..& sea kayaking....we did think the sea looked way too rough for our mediocre level of sea kayaking experience but then we arrived on a particularly windy week....I've seen pics of it like a mirror.....our water activity took place on the fairly small - loch Osgaig....I think loch Assynt to the north is a fairlly large inland water.
Click on this picture this & you'll see what I mean....It hardly let up the whole week.

I have been looking at loch Maree - which is a bit further south, between Torridon & Dundonell - looks like a superb trip - fairly big loch, steeped in history, some islands, very few roads, spuce & caladonian forrest....my to-do list just grows 'n grows.

 

[Shewie]

Wow that's some footage Dave, it was like a hurricane coming over and then the calm of the eye before it all kicked off again.

Good decision to paddle elsewhere, no way would I have been going out my with open

 

[gsfgaz]

a wild evening walk

me and Dave in the boats

beau having a swim

oor Sean caught a nice pollack , and a cracker of a sea trout ...

 

[Barn Owl]

Great pictures guys.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

looks like an ausome time was had by all and thanx for sharing

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I have been looking at loch Maree - which is a bit further south, between Torridon & Dundonell - looks like a superb trip - fairly big loch, steeped in history, some islands, very few roads, spuce & caladonian forrest....my to-do list just grows 'n grows.

Well if you do give me shout as I live on the banks of loch Maree

 

[andybysea]

Some crackin pics guy's,more inspiration for my eldest,she's been saying she wants to go camping with me,Davy you'll have to come over this way sometime with gaz.
Sean looks like he's had better luck with the fishin than last time over here,although was a tad rough sea's, i wonder what ever happened to that creel?

 

[davyowens]

Cheers Gary - the other half of our photos...some crackers as well...

 

[Seoras]

Just arrived back in Scotland myself for a week. Great pics and it looks like you all had great fun.

George

 

[davyowens]

Yeh Andy - been lookin at the pictures from Gaz's last trip down there - It's a definate for me as soon as I'm off work.

 

[davyowens]

You are one lucky guy...what a place to live....yes I'll keep that in mind for when I do go up there...