Carlisle canoe club and friends met at Glencoyne Bay lakeside to remember Jim Wilson and share memories of his life and contribution to our paddling community. The gathering, held in Jim’s honour, was a heartfelt tribute that brought together friends old and new. Including a thoughtful toast to Jim, a dram of Jura, we enjoyed a great paddle on the lake — a fitting way to celebrate his passion for the outdoors and the water. As promised, please see the group photo from the day, capturing the spirit of camaraderie and remembrance that defined this special memorial paddle.

Click here to book
https://www.breweryarts.co.uk/event/paddling-film-festival-2025/

“Isle of Coll/Tiree Experience” - July 2025, coastal sea kayaking & wildlife watching.  A combination of journeying and skills coaching.
Link to flyer
The Isle of Coll is a Southern Hebridean island lying about four miles west of Mull. It extends approx. 13 miles in length and is 4 miles across at its widest point. Coll is fairly central in the coastal chain of Hebridean islands, and breath-taking views can be seen from many points on Coll’s shores.
With fewer than 200 residents and only 3 hours CalMac ferry from Oban, Coll has a mixed community of local and newcomers, driven by the Coll Development Trust – allowing the community to develop and grow.  www.developmentcoll.org.uk
The week was targeted at improver / intermediate sea kayakers (fully equipped and with at least 2/3 seasons under your belt) – wanting to develop essential kayak, moving water and wild camping, skills, plus wildlife / bird, seal & basking shark spotting in the Gunna Sound area.
Isle of Coll facilities:  bunkhouse, hotel, café, shop, two castles, PO, gift shop, medical centre, ferry terminal.
Plan A:
Home - Coll Bunkhouse for x3 nights
Dates: July 2025 Sat 19 – Mon 21 3 nights in Coll Bunk House
Tues 22 - Fri 24 3 nights camping Gunner Sound spotting-seals & basking sharks
Fri 25 - Sun 27 2 nights circumnavigation of Tiree (or go home)
Actual Plan:
Day 1 (Sat) - travel over from Oban on the Calmac Ferry and drop into Tiree on the way. We had x3 nights based from the hostel either in bunk rooms or campervans at the bunkhouse – well equipped and great facilities in the central village – Arinagour.
Day 2 - (Sun) Arinagour harbour north to west coast – great weather, even some sunshine, a great coastal warm up before we hit the north of Coll with some amazing islands – the Cairns of Coll - with tern colonies, seals (both grey atlantic and common harbour) and seabirds to spot.  The west coast picked up (as it does) and the coastline was moving and studied with small rock inlets and small beaches to challenge our skills.  We had a shuttle in place to return us to Arinagour – a fabulous day one paddling - around 20k.
Day 3 - (Mon) coaching on west coast, out and back.  Using the west coast bays as a learning environment we had a coaching day and many challenges as the sea state developed – around 15k.  That evening we prepared for 5 nights wild camping.
Day 4 - (Tues) Arinagour to Gunner Sound, heading south towards Tiree, fully loaded with very stable sea kayaks.  Arriving on Gunner Island – between Coll and Tiree we were greeted by the new owners and friends and were invited to wild camp, however, due to the group number (11), the poor suggested camping ground and the closeness of the refurbed house we declined and returned to an amazing camping area, 2k back on Coll, which was quite stunning, spacious and with ocean views to die for – around 24k.  A decision was made to make our home for x2 nights on this well-appointed camp site.
Day 5 - (Weds) As we explored the Gunna Sound we quickly realised and confirmed with “Basking Shark Scotland Tours” that the presence of basking sharks had changed and none had been spotted for x2 seasons!!  A huge disappointment for all.  However, we circumnavigated Gunna Island and enjoyed the moving currents as we crossed the channel to the isle of Tiree, as the wind picked up and currents zig-zagged the channel, creating a number of challenges to a number of paddlers.  One group explored the wild west coast, while another used the peaceful shelter of the leeside of Gunna island to explore and enjoy the bird life and seals.  All meeting up for an extended lunch on the island.  Refreshing water supplies, from some welcoming residents, we paddled the Tiree coast, until the appropriate crossing point appeared, back to our Coll camping ground – around 24k.
Day 6 - (Thurs) Due to predicted weather forecasts, a decision to try a Tiree circumnavigation was scraped, as was returning back to our Coll base via the west coast, due to the challenging sea states – wind and swell – and the mixed experience and stamina of the group. So, we returned to our Coll base in calm waters, no wind or swell, via a fun coastline for rock-hopping and coastal exploring.  We took another leisurely lunch at the “Two Castles Bay” and returned to Arinagour in good time for coffee and cake in the village café – wild camping above the village by Church – around 22k.
Day 7. - (Fri) coaching – Due to the group’s request – keen to paddle but just round the local harbour headlands we delivered a “close as you dare” coaching morning – 3 hrs – in line with the group’s energy levels – much fun was had by all with an out and back final session – around 8k.
Day 8 – was agreed to be a rest/explore day, which 6 group members chanced an early ferry back to Oban and all were squeezed on – 3 cheers for CalMac - while the remaining 5 explored some of the west coast beaches and walks, returning the next day as planned.
Summary:
Though the weather was rather grey for much of he time, the predicted high winds were restricted to the west coast, allowing us to deliver a number of objectives for the group.  Unfortunately, the circumnavigation of Tiree was canned – distance and no wind protection due the flat nature of Tiree and the spending time observing basking sharks feeding on the plankton in Gunna Sound – the Scottish hot spot for cruising basking sharks - was not to be, due to unknown environmental, climate, and plankton availability factors.  Disappointing for us all.  However, the group really enjoyed an introduction to Coll and the coastal challenges and community interactions.
A “good trip was had by all”
The coaching/guiding volunteer delivery team led by Mike Sunderland, John Soady, Dave Watson and Pete Riley.
A Coach/Leaders Perspective
 My thoughts on the week by Dave Watson
“Once again the participants fully engaged with the opportunity to learn new skills or revisit those everyday techniques they were taught previously, that just needed refreshing.
 
With 4 coach/leaders we were able to provide personalised sessions to meet the needs of the group that had been identified by 'interviews' with the participants on the ferry to the islands.
The Hostel provided a comfortable base for the first few days before we set off on the wild camping element of the experience.
 
It was clear that towards the end of the week the weather would break with wind and rain forecast; although this increased the opportunities for 'moving water' skill sessions the thought of windy and wet wild camps was not as appealing. As it turned out the conditions were just right for the course objectives and gave participants a range of on and off the water experiences that I believe fully met the stated aims.
 
As a volunteer coach the reward for the contribution given often comes from the reaction of the participants as I see their confidence and objective skills develop - that light bulb moment as the task we've been working on "really does work Dave" and the smile of accomplishment on their faces proves the point.  Seeing both Sally and Pete completing their “sea kayak award” during the week, showing continual assessment really works. With small number groups of 3 and 4, allowed us to use the simple coaching concept of demonstration, supporting the learning.
 
Overall the Coll & Tiree Experience delivered - the wildlife (dolphins, porpoise bird life etc) and coastal environment added to the value of our week. Of-course it would be remiss of me if I failed to mention the good humour, participation, contributions and of course the fabulous home baking that appeared during our week!  Already looking forward to next year's trip.”
 
My thoughts on the week by Mike Sunderland
“As an organiser – seeing the trip come together, juggling the logistics for everyone is, satisfying – when it works – which it did on Coll.  If you can forgive me for the lack of Basking Sharks?
Sometimes it is difficult for the individual participants to fully understand the coach/leaders decisions, which always consider the whole group and not just individual needs.  Splitting groups on the ocean, is always a questionable decision and often step one of a small series of minor decisions, that leave a group vulnerable to negative incidents.
I enjoyed the week, particularly sharing past paddling experiences, with a new deliver team of coach/leaders and keen participants.  The obvious energy of sharing experiences with local residents and other visitors and the feeling of excitement as we all gained a closer understanding of why folk choose to live a life on a Hebridean Island was obvious and enjoyable to see.
Personal paddling progress was obvious and I am confident that the whole group left Coll/Tiree better sea kayak paddlers, wiser group members, with experiences that they may not have been achieved, if they just showed up at the bunk house wanting to paddle.
A great week with a great group – thanks everyone – We (Cumbria Canoeists) are still motivated to design more adventures for developing sea kayakers experiences, skills and independent paddling – look out for next seasons events - focusing on mentored supervision for individuals in small groups – a bit like a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition, with all planning and decision making coming from the group and not the delivery team!!
My thoughts on the week by John Soady
This was my first time on either Coll or Tiree, two of the very few western isles I hadn’t paddled, so I was looking forward to experiencing the islands and their people. Mike and I had previously paddled with and coached everyone in the group, so this would be an opportunity to build on that grounding to support each individual to develop their skill and confidence whilst exploring this new environment. And with Coll being the basking shark capital we were certain to see several... or were we?!
Apart from the basking shark absence, Coll did not disappoint. The island provides a variety of coastal features – soaring cliffs plunging into deep water, low-lying skerries, islets and sandy bays – all within relatively short distances. The west coast offered more swell, providing dynamic paddling conditions, whereas the more sheltered east coast was perfect for set-piece coaching exercises making use of rock projections, caves and slots. Having spent time on the ferry on the way out taking stock of each individual’s aspirations for the trip, we were able to design our paddle plans around those aims as far as conditions and environment enabled.
Other than wind and swell conditions preventing paddling on the final day (the group were tired by that stage anyway and due a day off), I think we were able to meet everyone’s coaching and exploration aims. One thing I especially enjoy on these trips is having the opportunity to work with other experienced leaders and coaches to add to my own repertoire. One other thing to mention is that with Coll sitting plumb in the middle of the Inner Isles, the scenery is simply stunning: to the north the Small Isles with Skye beyond: to the east the Treshnish Isles and Mull, the Outer Hebrides to the west, and Islay to the south. A brilliant week all in.
 
My thoughts on the week by Pete Riley
Feeling rather unqualified, I reluctantly agreed to join CC on their Coll trip in July.
I am glad I went. Mike made me feel a full member of the team, and I certainly didn't feel like an appendage. Whilst it felt partly like a working vacation, it gave me further opportunity to reflect and develop.

What a great experience. Quite a mixed level of experience, knowledge and motivation across our team and I appreciated having access to the forms that the paddlers fill in prior to the trip, one of the elements being what they want to achieve over the week.

I enjoyed the week and feel perhaps stimulated to achieve formal coaching qualifications. As I get older and my testosterone ebbs away, my desire for adrenalin is also in decline! Being part of a team that delivers safe leadership and coaching in a moderate environment is probably where I'd prefer to be.

Thanks to Mike and John for their CC leadership; to Dave Watson for being a supportive co-leader and most of all to the paddling crew who, in spite of the challenging conditions, (hopefully) had a decent time on Coll.