Torridon to Shieldaig
I launched the canoe a little to the west of Torridon parking at picnic table just before the road goes off to the right up the hill to Inveralligin. The tide was fairly low and ebbing and the wind force 1 or 2. I crossed the loch to Eilean Cnapach which was as far as I had explored on my last trip and proceeded west along the northern side of the loch landing for lunch in one of them many small bays.
Upper Loch Torridon
After my lunch break I continued westward with the wind increasing from the south. This wind seemed to be coming down between the mountains on the south side of the loch and died away as I proceeded west. I meant to look into the large bay, Ob Mhealiadh, but missed it completely my attention being taken by a fish farm an large vessel which seemed to be almost at the narrows.
Fish farm and support vessel
I was not sure if there was a passage between the fish farm and the shore so opted to go round to the north of the farm. I then noticed a sailing boat coming from behind the fish farm and assumed that it was coming through the narrows. As I approached the fish farm the sailing boat turned round and went away to the west. I kept clear of the fish farm nets but could see a lot of salmon jumping within their cages. My attention was then drawn to Eilean a' Chaoil and I wondered if there was a passage between it and the mainland but as I could not be certain I continued towards the narrows. The tide is supposed to go through at about 3 knots and that seemed about right. The journey through the narrows was quick and uneventful although I was worried that the large vessel from the fish farm would follow me through the narrows (it would be nice to have a mirror on the canoe to see what is behind you!). I then headed south to Shieldaig Island and landed on the northern end which I suspect is probably and island at high water. I continued round the island and then back to Torridon. I stopped in a small bay just before the narrows to wait for the tide to change before continuing back into Upper Loch Torridon. Once again I experienced quite a strong southerly wind when passing Inveralligin and the sea became quite choppy for a while.
Canoe at Sgeir an Fhiar Shieldaig Island