We continued our journey along the coastline, with the wind increasing all the time, as forecast. We'd hoped to reach the head of this sea loch, but the wind was barrelling directly down into our faces and had seriously reduced our speed. We calculated that by the time we reached our hoped-for destination the tide would have been low enough to expose the mud in the upper reaches of the loch and pushing on would also mean doing an open crossing in choppy conditions in the dark.
Reluctantly we turned back; our progress increased dramatically with the strong wind and a bit of tide at our backs.
Near the mouth of the loch this buoy was resting on the shore.
Closer inspection established that it was probably a wave measuring buoy. The position and name tie in with a point at the south west of Iceland noted for its population of breeding wildfowl. It seems that this well travelled buoy had followed the 1200km route of the migrating birds - though at a somewhat more sedate pace! We reported the finding to Stornoway Coastguard by telephone after our trip.
On the shore of the loch, we saw two walkers picking their way along the steep rocky slopes. It looked to be hard work on difficult terrain; the trees in this image are fully grown birches which give an idea of the scale.
Emerging from the loch we paddled back through turqouise water past a couple of idyllic beaches toward our second luncheon stop.
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