Places to Paddle on Skye
At last I’ve got round to getting this done.Skye is better known for sea kayaking than open canoeing but there are opportunities for the likes of us.
If anyone is interested in fishing there is some useful info here http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com/scotland-skye.htm
I haven’t checked out all the locations listed here but I hope this resource may be useful.
Inland Lochs
There are not many of any size and none provide more than a few hours of paddling at most unless you want to potter around and generally just enjoy the scenery.
Loch Leathan, Loch Fada and Storr Lochs
Circumnavigation close to the shore of these connected lochs is about 12km.
Put in is at grid ref: NG493503
Parking on a gravel lay-by adjacent to a passing place with room for about 4 cars.
Loch Meallt
Circumnavigation about 2.75km.
Put in at grid ref : NG508654 at small pond in the Kilt Rock car-park and paddle through the culvert under the main road if enough headroom. Otherwise carry across the road and over a fence or through gate.
Loch Langaig
Just 100 metres across.
Put in about thirty metres from car-parking at NG463710
Nice for a picnic and short paddle – longer if you keep going round.
Loch Cill Chriosd
At most about 1.5km circumnavigation of clear water as almost half the loch is now covered in rushes.
Put in near NG614205 and parking off the road nearby.
Sea Lochs
I haven’t paddled on many of the sea lochs so cannot comment on the tides. Most are shallow in their upper reaches and therefore access is tide dependent. But even on windy days there is likely to be loch that is sheltered.
These are potential put ins but check the winds and tide and parking and make up your own mind.
Loch na Dal
Put in near NG702147. Bit of a carry and rocky shore.
Parking on the grass verge.
The Harbour, Isle Ornsay
NG702135 Isle Ornsay pier. Don’t know about parking or ease of launching.
Loch Eishort
Ord
Put in near NG616132. A bit exposed .Rocky shore and plenty of space to park.
Ob Gauscavaig
Put in near NG597116. Plenty parking, rocky shore. A bit exposed.
Heaste
Put in near NG647166, Don’t know about this location. Looks like a good spot to look round head of Loch Eishort.
Loch Slappin
Camas Malag
Put in near NG 582192, plenty of parking. A bit exposed.
Around the head of the loch there are a variety of parking and launching opportunities.
Loch Ainort
If the tide is high there are a number of spots to find easy access and parking on the A87. A bit rocky at low tide.
Loch Sligachan
A few spots along A87 about 1km east of Sligachan. Tide dependant.
Also from the north side at the end of the Peinchorran road NG525330. A strong tide run at the narrows.
Loch Portree
Put in from the long stay car-park (free) in Portree
or at the slipway at NG489437 – limited parking nearby.
The loch to the south practically empties at low tide.
At high tide and after a heavy rainfall a run into the loch from the river Varragil bridge at NG476407 is probably possible.
Staffin Bay
Slipway at NG494681 and parking close by.
Port Gobhlaig , Kilmaluag Bay
NG436751 Car-park and picnic site.
Camas Mor
NG370706 Slipway and parking. Exposed.
Uig Bay
Possibilities here best go and look . I haven’t yet.
Loch Greshornish
Camp at the campsite and you have direct access at NG342525 or you could ask if you can launch. Also I think they have some kayaks for hire.
Loch Bay
Put in at NG263564 near the Stein Inn (great seafood restaurant and pub) Parking may be a bit of a problem in the summer.
Loch Dunvegan
Not so easy as it looks on the map. Try NG244497 limited parking.
Loch Pooltiel
NG169500 or near the pier NG154505.
Loch Caroy
Slipway at NG306425. No idea about parking here.
Loch Beag
Slipway at NG350380 limited parking.
Loch Bracadale
Slipway at NG342359, some parking.
Loch Harport
Awkward access from car park at NG376320. Near Talisker distillery.
Loch Brittle
Access from beach at NG409205. Parking – very busy in summer, Camping close by and easy access to Cuillin for the walkers.
That’s about it but I have wondered about Loch Coruisk from Elgol. One for strong and experienced paddlers I think
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