Last week saw the South Skye & Lochalsh Kayak Club staying at Horgabost in Harris for a week of kayaking. A few of us in the Stornoway Canoe Club decided we should be sociable and popped down to join them for a day's paddling. This ended up being a trip round Taransay, which I haven't done before (and is handily trip number 18 in the Outer Hebrides Sea Kayak Guide Book).

Lunch on Taransay

A lovely day greeted us at Horgabost, and (apparently, I wasn't counting) 19 kayaks set out from the beach across the Sound of Taransay. On arrival at Taransay, the grou split up, and one or two of us decided we were overdressed and had to make a quick stop to adjust layers (thermal top + heavy drysuit + hot sunny day = bad idea). Heading round clockwise, the group was rather strung out at times, but that gave everyone a chance to explore, try and squeeze kayaks through every smaller gaps and even play on the odd breaking wave we came. Eventually we came to Traigh a Siar, the beach round the back of Taransay, where we stopped for lunch and were rejoined by some of those who split from us earlier (some lucky people got to drag their boats across from the beach on the opposite side of the island).

A leisurely post lunch paddle saw a chance to explore an arch, and then we found an rock and reef with an interesting break on it. Much fun ensued, until unfortunately a small coming together between two boats saw a rapid tow and retreat to the nearest beach to raid everyone's emergency supplies of duct tape. A passable looking repair followed, although at this point, somewhat late already (large groups never travel quickly), I decided to bail out and sprint for Horgabost as I was due back in Stornoway for the evening.

Despite an earlier look at the map, I needed a quick stop on the sand spit (SE corner of Taransay) just to check bearings and make sure I was headed back for the right beach. Back at Horgabost, someone had let the tide out since we left, and it seemed like a long carry up to the car park until one of the SSLKC group offered me a hand (thank you!).

My photos are here as well as having a couple on Flickr here and here. I certainly had a great trip, spoilt only slightly by my need to rush off home at the end. I also learned one lesson - I need some summer paddling gear: Mike's old drysuit is great for cold, wet and windy weather, but it's like a sauna when the sun's out!