Scotland: Winter Kayak Camping on Loch Lomond

Having paddled Loch Lomond numerous times in the past, I know to stay well away from it during the warmer months, when the city hordes from Glasgow descend upon it and basically destroy all the tranquility with loud booming music, littering, and generally antisocial behaviour.

But the winter? It’s magic. Having spent some time a few years ago paddling and camping on the islands, I found myself here once again when poor weather on the coast necessitated a more sheltered location for my plans for a peaceful couple of days. I’d borrowed a carbon Kevlar Cetus MV from P&H Sea Kayaks and wanted to take it out on a solo trip to get the full benefit of its very light weight.

Despite its relative shelter from the wind, there was no getting around the fact that the forecast was looking pretty poor. So I’d come prepared with a tarp for additional shelter, and plenty to keep me occupied. I paddled out from Luss, and down towards the group of islands where I’d camped in the past. I spent a few lazy hours weaving along the shorelines here before heading to the northern side of Inchconnachan, where I set up camp.

What followed was a blissful few days of absolute tranquility.