Bass rock

A week of contrast: After climbing on Tuesday I went to Scotland and here Ana and I joined Moira's trip to the Bass rock from North Berwick. Here, the team is getting the kayaks ready on one of the many, many, gorgeous East coast beaches. 

 Here is our trip. We paddled eastwards along the Berwickshire coast, out to the Bass rock and then westwards to Craigleith to return to North Berwick.

 Here is Ana following the coast with the Bass rock in the distance. 

 Jonathon found a hidden micro harbour carved into some red sandstone.

We decided to land on yet another dream beach for lunch before heading out the the Bass rock.  

Here, are Ana and Moira during the 2 km crossing...

 ... and here we are approaching the Bass rock with its light house.

The Bass rock is 107 m high and used to be a prison colony. It has a colony of more than 150,000 gannets and is the largest colony of Northern gannets if Wikipedia is right. You hear and smell it! Here are some of the gannets...

 ... and they circle above. 

 After surrounding the island we decided to paddle against tide and wind to Craigleith, another small island to the West. Here is the team. 

 When we arrived the skies had turned blue again. 

 I was fishing but did not catch anything but Jonathon caught a Pollack and mackerel.

 Here is Ana on the way back to the mainland take 1...

 ... and take 2...

 ... and here we return with Craigleith in the background. 

 After 17 km we landed back on North Berwick beach. 

Scottish sea kayaking is world class, no doubt. Lots of interest, tides, wind, sea life. Many kayakers head for the islands of the West coast but I actually prefer the East coast. Bass rock, the Isle of May, the Bell rock lighthouse, and the cliffs and sea caves from Arbroath to Stonehaven are very hard to top. Add dolphins, seals and good kayak fishing and better weather than in the West and this is why I love the East.

HW