SIB Bagging Trips from Oban to Loch Linnhe and Loch Craignish, May 2025
Trip summary
Two separate trips to the rarely-visited islands:
– in Loch Linnhe to SE and NE of Lismore,
– and Loch Craignish, Ardfern.
Dates
Loch Linnhe Friday 23 May 2025
Loch Craignish Monday 26 May 2025
Co-ordinator
Jonathan Woods – j.woods99 “AT” btinternet.com
Trip itinerary
Two trips are planned, with the target islands listed below in bold. As usual with SIB trips, they will be subject to weather conditions and skipper’s decisions on the day. There can
be no guarantee of landing on all or any of the islands.
Other islands or trip options are noted if there is sufficient interest AND time on the day, to ensure the maximum number of islands can be visited.
Trip 1 : Loch Linnhe – Friday 23 May 2025
Eilean Balnagowan SIB, 37m
Shuna – Tom na t-Seallaidh SIB, 72m
Eilean nan Caorach SIB, 30m
Eilean Dubh *A SIB, 46m
Creag Island SIB, 33m
*A) The usual known access route to the summit of Eilean Dubh is a steep vegetated scramble.
1) These islands could possibly be visited if there is sufficient interest and time.
-
- Eilean nan Gamhna and Eilean Dubh, 2 Squibs near Creag Island.
- Eilean Musdile – the iconic lighthouse passed on many Calmac Ferry routes.
- Bernera Island – SIB, 58m W of Lismore
Trip 2 : Loch Craignish – Monday 26 May 2025
Eilean Mhc Chroin *B SIB, 63m, tidal
Eilean Righ, Dun Righ SIB, 55m
Eilean Righ, North Top Tump, 44m
Eilean Dubh SIB, 52m
Island Mackaskin SIB, 65m
Garbh Reisa SIB, 45m
*B) Eilean Mhic Chroin is a tidal island easily visited from Ardfern. If the majority of
people on the trip would rather use time with the boat to access other islands then this
will be omitted from the itinerary.
2) These islands could possibly be visited if there is sufficient interest and time.
- Shuna SIB, 90m
- – Cnoc Coille Mhor Tump, 38m
- Eilean Arsa SIB, 48m
- Insh Island 69m
3) Easdale will NOT be visited as there is public ferry access.
4) Torsa will NOT be visited as there is, albeit restricted, tidal access.
Places available
Each trip is for 12 people.
Departure or meeting place
Old stone slipway in central Oban, just N of the visitor pontoons. NM 858 302.
Accommodation
Make own arrangements
Challenges and competences needed
To land on the islands you will need to be able to exit from and return to a moving boat onto a rocky coastline or stoney beach. Some easy scrambling may be required, but see notes for Eilean Dubh in Loch Linnhe.
Businesses arranged through
Coastal Connection (www.coastal-connection.co.uk) who were used for several very successful trips in 2024.
Cost
£80 per person, per trip, based on boat of 12.
These are two separate trips, which may be booked independently of each other.
Reserve or enquire about trip
1) Email: Jonathan to check on availability
If there is availability, then;
2) Jonathan will provide you with a booking reference.
3) Use this booking reference to pay RHSoc a deposit of £40.
4) Email Jonathan and the RHSoc Treasurer Barry Smith, Barry.K.Smith “AT” hotmail.co.uk to let them know you have paid the deposit.