Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

A family holiday in Galloway stopping on Loch Ken finally gave me the opportunity of a day paddle on Loch Doon on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far.



This was my first trip to Loch Doon and the first view didn't disappoint as I turned a corner above the dam.



It helped of course that it was a beautiful clear day which promised to be the hottest of the year so far. Who would have thought it was the first week of June in Scotland.

The Roundhouse Cafe near the dam [marked on OS maps as PC] was the start for the day trip.



The owner very kindly offered to keep an eye out for me on my return up the loch.

Access to the Loch is a short distance from the layby opposite the cafe down to a rocky shore by the dam.



The loch is aprox. 9kms long but only the first third is visible from the start with the hills to the SE of the loch making a grand background.





I had intended to be on the hills on this particular day exploring the Rhinns of Kells but such hot weather made paddling a lot more attractive option. Rounding the corner on the east shore opened up the views south.



There wasn't much shade on the loch but the little there was made a good lunch stop with this grand view towards the Merrick range, the high point of the southern uplands.

Two thirds of the way down the east shore were a series of gravel beaches and rocky outcrops exposed by the low water levels on the loch.





The water was so clear.



Although not obvious in the picture the gravel was sprinkled with fools gold glinting in the sunshine.

Turning at the bottom of the loch the wind had dropped right off giving a great view north.





Before heading back up the loch there were a couple of things to have a look at. Carrick lane falls into the loch below a car park. Fed by a group of small lochs further up in the hills some of you may recall a trip on these was blogged on SOTP a couple of years ago.



Just along the shore can be seen the ruins of |Loch Doon Castle.



The castle was relocated when the loch level was raised. The original site was an island out in the loch. As the level was low its top was visible today with a few foundation walls visible in this picture.



The history of the castle can be read about here.

It was time to head back to the car at the north end of the loch. Loch Doon has a bit of a reputation for being windy and late in the afternoon it didn't disappoint Given that the weather forecast was for light southerly breeze and stiff north easterly was a bit of a surprise. The trip back up to the dam took a bit longer than planned on account of the headwind but in due course the dam



and the cafe



came into view. The owner, true to his word, poked his head out to see how the trip had been.


It was good to get back on the water as I've had a minor health hic up which has meant some other priorities for the last few weeks. From previous blogs I had been expecting the loch shore to be very litter ridden but there has been a clear up and very little was evident. A good day out if a tad hot.

A great day out and not another soul about. Much recommended

reason for edit adding blogg

Just read it Alan looks a great place to paddle how far is it from Ken
Good to see you back out there and paddling, you should just copy and paste the full TT across.

Great TT, Aslan. I was walking in Skye during that mini-heatwave - t'was a tad warm, but blowing a gale on top o'the hills!!

I keep thinking about taking my canoe to Scotland - not got around to it yet. Maybe next year. Your TT and the Lock Ken TT's make it very tempting.



Biff

(07-06-09 01:02 PM)Retro Wrote: [ -> ]Just read it Alan looks a great place to paddle how far is it from Ken
Good to see you back out there and paddling, you should just copy and paste the full TT across.

Loch Doon is about 45 minutes up the road from Loch Ken. I'm sure a local could drive it quicker. As the crow flies it's not far north but the southern Uplands are in the way and the only access is from the north.

As the SuperMod suggests copying the TT in full from the "other channel" would be a good idea but I'm not techi enough to get it to work as it doesn't seem to copy the pics. Any suggestions?

Hi Alan, first let me say how pleased I am to see and hear that you are out and about again after your spell of ill health, Take it easy mate, I know those words will be like water off a ducks back, but hope to see you soon.

Nice TT, mate and of course excellent pic's, I do like the piece about the fools gold, are you sure about the Fool bit, might be a ploy of our Scottish friends, enjoyed the read mate Take care,

Warmest regards Bill

Now that is more like it Alan, a picturesque paddle on Loch Doon in T-shirt weather

I want to know the story behind Loch Doon Castle! None of my escapes have any significant history to speak of, and I've certainly never seen a castle, or even the remnants of one.

On the other hand there is significant first nation history, but not much is left to see short of a half rotten out old totem pole or a pile of old clam shells.

(09-06-09 08:16 PM)aslan Wrote: [ -> ]As the SuperMod suggests copying the TT in full from the "other channel" would be a good idea but I'm not techi enough to get it to work as it doesn't seem to copy the pics. Any suggestions?

Leave it with me it will give me something to do whilst resting up

Alan, job done