Lock Ken

I wanted to see how it might work to go on a camping trip with everything I needed on the boat with me – an expedition if you will with food and shelter and all that. I had a bit of time at the end of August 2020 and decided to navigate Loch Ken in Dumfries and Galloway – quite a civilized location, but still covered by Scotland’s wild camping laws. There are two small islands, one of which was a camping destination.

Late on Thursday night I landed on the western shore, sleeping in the van and failed to photographically document the most amazing night sky that nearly made me fall off the edge of the loch (1).

Friday morning I dropped the gear, including boat, near the bridge at the waters of Ken, where there is a useful track and gentle pebble shore to get onto the river. (2).

The car I dropped back on the western shore, at a more convincing parking spot further down, met a nie guy called John who was also there to do some boating, in a lovely old faded green VW camper. (3). I then cycled back the few miles to the boat.

The bike got thrown into the undergrowth for pickup later (it was still there a day later).

I headed undert the bridge, and down the river. It was hot and peaceful, with heron and fish wandering around.

I got the sail down just where the river splits before the Loch, and then out onto the main Loch. I stopped to look at the car, saying hello to John, anbd headed South.

The activity centre looks very func, with huge inflatables setup for play and lessons on sailing and canoeing taking place, despite the distance restrictions.

I sailed past the first island, that looked very small and probably not camping appropriate.

As I sailed past the second, bigger, island (known as Green Island I believe) disaster struck – I sailed a bit too close to the shore and my centreboard collided with an underwater rock (or an exceptionally strong and durable fish 🙂 ) and this ruptured the hull where it meets the centreboard casing, and cracked tight through the supporting strut that holds the case solid. Water began to flood in and faced with the glorious isolation of trying to make it to the island vs. the less exciting prospect of making it to the mainland I chose the mainland – in the knowledge that I could get eventually back to the van by wheeling the boat on it’s trolley.

Luckily, once the boat was emptied, dried and inspected, duct tape really can sort almost anything out.

I waited a while to see if the repair was adequate, then set off down the loch again.

I made it as far as the old wrougnt iron bridge (dis-used (4)) and then headed back, stopping for lunch.

The weather was amazing, thought the wind was a little unkind, as it was against me every day, and not the endless beam reach it was supposed to be.

I got back to Green Island and setup camp:

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Managed to cook copious quanitities of noodles and curry flavoured tinned fish, and also get alot of good reading done.

It was peaceful and lovely – the stars were out again.

The next morning I discovered I was not alone – something had nibbled through a chocolate pancake. I was happy to be of help.

I had a quick look at the smaller island on the way home – decided that with some hardship and using a hammock instead of a tent it could be camped on if needed, but I’d rather not.

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