Paddle on Loch Ard

[Scots_Charles_River]

Paddled on Loch Ard today, (a small loch in the trossachs,near Loch Achray) loadsa large black dragonfly, blue small dragonfly, one landed one my arm but could not get a photo. Also very small silvery flies skidding around in circles near the watersedge. A buzzard hovering over some reeds as well. Not many lillies in bloom but plenty of tall reeds. It is certainly the best way to see river and loch wildlife and flora.

Blue dragonfly/damsel flyone of these http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_northern_bluet_.htm
or http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/photos/ledrym1.jpg ?????? Any ID experts ?

Couple of photos.

Nick

 

[Brian]

Nick,

Looks like you had a good day, lovely pictures as well mate

Brian

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Aye, out of the main loch you can paddle down thru 'Swallows and Amazon' reeds, banks and lochans.

Nick

 

[dwardo]

Looks lovely !

Poped that on my list of later on in the year

 

[KAE1]

My family love the pics on SOtP, may take a trip up sometime.Had this chap cadging a lift to the pub last time I paddled the Suffolk Stour.

 

[JohnC]

Is ther a particular put-in point you'd recommend? Or good place to leave the car?

 

[ol smokey]

Hi there, Similar question to John C also would the Loch be suitable for an inflatable canoe or are there likely to be snags or other hazards that you are aware of where you access. Any permission required or saught. I believe from a Scots magazine that there isone of Rob Roy's caves visible and accessible from the loch do you know of it?

 

[w00dsmoke]

Is ther a particular put-in point you'd recommend? Or good place to leave the car?

Turn left at Kinlochard post office and the wee blether cafe, the put in is just behind the shop, safe parking too...

A buddy and I were at the next loch Up hammocking on an island over the weekend (Loch Chon...) and by eck that was some wind on Sat night... nuts in a hammock!

 

[JohnC]

many thanks...

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Is ther a particular put-in point you'd recommend? Or good place to leave the car?

I try to put in just as the road drops and you first sight the loch. Layby big enough for 4 cars. Beach across the rd. That means you can go up the loch or down thru the narrows.

Nick

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Hi there, Similar question to John C also would the Loch be suitable for an inflatable canoe or are there likely to be snags or other hazards that you are aware of where you access. Any permission required or saught. I believe from a Scots magazine that there isone of Rob Roy's caves visible and accessible from the loch do you know of it?

It's an okay loch for canoes of the blowup variety. No real permission up here needed.
The cave is obvious. The rocky island near it is a cool wee brew stop. I prefer the put in at the eastern end of the loch. Gives more options if the weather is windy.

www.songofthepaddle.co.uk has a blogg section you can search thru for photos etc from other paddlers trips there. It's 45mins from my house so I like that loch. Can still get a evening paddle in after work thru the week.

Nick