Fine Weather

This year is helping to prove once again that April/May is one of the best times of year to be in Kilchoan. The weather continues to be warm and sunny, with a bit of a southeaster to ensure that the temperature doesn't get out of hand.

We have plenty of visitors around, people who either know the secret or are discovering it. The Ardnamurchan Campsite, seen at bottom left of this picture of Kilchoan Bay and Ben Hiant, has been particularly busy, perhaps as a result of the review in last weekend's Guardian.

There may be plenty of visitors about, but the vast area of West Ardnamurchan seems to swallow them up. This view of Sanna beach, taken around 11am on on Friday, looking across from Portuairk, shows sands empty except for one couple taking a stroll. The Isle of Eigg is in the distance, while the colour of the sea and sky is Caribbean.

That afternoon, inspired by the recent talk on sea kayaking and with the Sound of Mull like a millpond, we set off westwards from Ormsaigbeg, paddling under the forbidding cliffs of Sron Bheag and round the point called Rhuban a' Chall - super paddling all the way, the only disappointment being that, with the sea so calm, we had hoped to catch a glimpse of an otter or some dolphins.

Not everyone is happy. This little dunnock, who was hobbling around on one leg, looked distinctly sick, and, with the forecast promising fine weather well into next week, some people are already beginning to worry about a drought.