Paddling round Isle Ewe, Loch Ewe

Read a recent report from our event Paddling round Isle Ewe, Loch Ewe. The starting point for the trip is the little village of Aultbea in Wester Ross.

Aultbea (An t-Allt Beithe) is a small fishing about 12 miles North of Gairloch. Today it hosts a NATO base; large ships sometimes come inshore to refuel here. This still stand testament to the importance of Loch Ewe in the second World War as a base for the Russian Arctic Convoys that left here for Russia.

Launching from Aultbea harbour it is a short crossing of about 1km to reach Isle Ewe. Because the name Isle of Ewe sounds like “I love you”, it has become popular for couples to take boat trips around the island. The island’s name also came up in The Goon Show, during the 1954 episode “Lurgi Strikes Britain.” Neddie Seagoon is informed that the “dreaded lurgi” has appeared on the Isle of Ewe, to which he replies, “I love you too. Shall we dance?^”

Much of the eastern side of the island is low lying and agricultural which the western shores are rockier. There are some sea cliffs of Torridonian sandstone which rise to around 20 metres in height. The western side of Isle Ewe looks onto a large salmon farm which it has recently been announced will soon be closing down.

Kayaking tours of Isle Ewe will be an event listed as part of our special events for ‘2020 Year of Coast and Water’ run by Visit Scotland. Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre are running an event series called – Paddle the Islands of Wester Ross. You can read about our Kayak Tours on VisitScotland’s website but to join us on a kayaking or canoe trip simply visit our website.