River Findhorn - Rapid just above Relugas Bridge - leaders and paddlers please be aware there is now an underwater rock that has moved into position just next to the main exit chute on the Carnage Corner rapid. It is just below the main rock at the end of the rapid that many paddlers hit and capsize off. The rock is not in the main flow, but just to the edge of it immediately below the visible rock in the flat water pool. It has already caused two foot entrapments and breakages in a short period of time since the last floods. This will cause a significant danger to swimmers above this point and also to anyone paddling over the visible rock and capsizing off it. Please set up safety and consider this before running groups through as this is an increased danger to previous years. Staying in the main flow and eddying out on river left still seems to be the safer option for swimmers. The large pool on river right is no longer safe.
Three weirs close to Cromasaig (about a mile upstream of Kinlochewe) are in a dangerous state at the moment and should be treated with caution. Best to inspect first. A combination of concrete blocks, chains and spikes are causing the hazards.
There is a very serious new strainer on the Cannich to
Struy stretch, River Glass, Invernessshire, consisting of a cable footbridge twisted
up in trees, and necessitating a long portage.
It is at NH 373348, about 400m downstream of Glassburn,
where the river is left of an island, with a very small stream going right
around the island. This would present a serious threat to a large group
suddenly coming across it. Attempts are being made to contact the landowner,
and remove the blockage by local SCA members and outdoor centres.
Handa Island is a breeding seabird colony of international importance. If you are planning to canoe or kayak to the island for the day during the breeding season (15 May to 31 July), we request that you limit your landing to of two designated sites: Traigh an Teampaill (NC 147476) and Port an Eilein (NC 146475). These beaches are used by the Handa Island ferry and there is no danger of disturbing breeding birds on them. Please contact the Handa Ranger (handaranger@swt.org.uk) for any other information.
The SCA has received a report of paddlers parking inconsiderately at one of the access points for paddling on Loch Laxford in the far north west.
The Scottish Canoe Touring Guide describes the loch on page 25 and gives the grid reference NC228478 as one of the access points. Paddlers' cars parked badly at this location have caused problems for local fishermen getting on and off the water. If you are using this site please be considerate and make sure you are parked sensibly before leaving your car behind for the day. For larger groups, or when there are already several vehicles in the area, there is ample parking space in a public lay-by nearby, so it should be possible to drop boats off at the boathouse then park in the lay-by.
Amendment to advice given on page 40 of the “Scottish Canoe Touring” guidebook.
Paddling on Loch Maree has been contentious in the past; but the access situation has been smoothed over by the new Act in Scotland. In the first instance canoeists are requested to contact the office of Scottish Natural Heritage at Kinlochewe & ask for Eoghain Maclean or Kenny Nelson (Monday to Friday - Tel: 01445 760 254) or e-mail: eoghain.maclean@snh.gov.uk or call Eoghain's mobile number 07900 226 132 out of work hours for up-to-date advice. If SNH cannot be contacted, the Manager at the Loch Maree Hotel should also be able to provide information on areas to be avoided in order to minimise disturbance to breeding birds such as black-throated divers. This process is a simple and helpful one, which should avoid any conflict between recreationists, land managers and conservation bodies.
Warning - Oil Booms across the River Roy and River Spean - August 2011
Engineering company Carillion are currently undertaking essential work on the railway bridges that cross the River Roy (250m downstream from the Roy Bridge road bridge at NN 270 811) and the River Spean (1500m upstream from Spean Bridge at NN: 239 818). As part of this work oil booms will be strung across the full width of both rivers downstream of the railway bridges as a precaution to catch any accidental oil spills resulting from the works.
At Roy Bridge the boom has been positioned approx. 50m downstream of the usual take out eddy for the Lower Roy section (as detailed in the Scottish Whitewater Guidebook). So, this is after the final Grade 3 rapid below the road bridge and below the railway bridge.
This should only be an issue for those who are combining the Lower Roy and paddling on to the Middle Spean or those accessing the Middle Spean. For the Middle Spean please just get on below the boom.
On the Middle Spean there will be a second boom positioned downstream of the railway bridge. This is approximately three-quarters of the way down this section, below the railway bridge but upstream of the Grade 3 Railway Bridge Falls. Portaging this is recommended.
Warning signs will be placed across the rivers upstream of both booms. Please proceed with caution and do not assume a lack of signage means the work is complete. The work is expected to continue until the end of the year and we will confirm as soon as we can that the booms have been removed.
Huge Boulder completely blocking the Roy Gorge
A huge boulder has fallen into the River Roy and is completely blocking the route down Heidbanger rapid at the top of the Roy gorge. It is usual practice to inspect Heidbanger, and most paddlers portage it in any case, but the boulder is in a dangerous position and it is worth being aware of it before heading for the Roy.
For anyone who doesn't know the river there is a serious danger of a paddler getting pinned against this boulder or even being pulled underneath it, so check out its location before getting onto the river.
At low to medium flows Heidbanger should now be considered a definite portage. At high flows it might fill in and might still go, but an inspection would be crucial.
The grid reference for the blockage is NN298867. Paddlers wishing to inspect it on their way up the glen should park near the old ruin marked on the map as Achavady. About 50 metres up the road from Achavady is a muddy gateway into a grass field. Go through this gate and straight down the hill, keeping the fenceline about 50 metres to your right hand side. When you get to the river there is a series of rocky ledges on this side of the river (river right) and the boulder is towards the top of this section of ledges and boulders.
Please pass this information on to anyone that you think might be heading to the Roy Gorge.
Glen Roy Road
Local residents in Roybridge have asked the SCA to remind paddlers visiting the River Roy to take extra care on the narrow roads in Glen Roy, as well as through the village of Roybridge on the A86.
The Glen Roy road is particularly narrow with blind bends, especially close to the village of Roybridge where there are no pavements, and pedestrians are forced to walk on the road. Speeding on this road is a serious problem that local residents are concerned about and on occasions there have been cars with canoes on the roof that have been identified as going too fast. Driving within the law should be a normal part of motoring and that should be the case wherever we happen to be, but we would like to remind paddlers about the specific dangers in Glen Roy and ask that you drive with even greater care on this hazardous stretch of road.
Fairy Steps Blockage
The tree blockage on the Spean Gorge has settled down into a sieve on the right side of the sharp corner that follows the Fairy Steps rapid.
It is a particular hazard for any swimmers if there is a current flowing onto it and Fairy Steps has a history of creating occasional upsets. Paddlers who are in any doubt are advised to inspect before running the Fairy Steps. A photo taken today April 6th is below. The obstruction is likely to change over time and may catch further wood if there are more high flows this year.
