Scarba adventure

[pllewellyn]

My parents in-law live on the Isle of Luing, and Scarba with its rugged and often cloud covered top dominates the view from their house. It sits enticingly across the Sound of Luing, so close and yet inaccessible without your own boat. I've always wanted to climb it. Last summer I finally made it across with my 5 year old son.

Scarba seen from the Isle of Luing

Alasdair MacLachlan took us across on his boat. Alasdair and his wife run boat trips around Luing and dropped us off on Scraba for a small fee. They're a lovely couple and have a website (I can't post the URL here, so look up "Luing boat trips" on Google).

I decided to make a little adventure of it and camp for the night on the island. We would have to take it pretty easy anyway. Getting my 5 year old son to walk all the way to the top was going to be a challenge in itself. He made it though!

Milo on the boat with Scraba looming in the background

The boat dropped us off at about 3pm and after waving goodbye we headed off onto the island to find somewhere to camp for the night. We'd agreed with Alasdair that he'd come and pick us up at the same time tomorrow.

Alasdair's boat

The boat heading off

With the exception of Kilmory Lodge, which is occasionally occupied by the owners of the island, this secluded piece of paradise is un-inhabited. We would be the only people on the island for the next 24 hours.

Milo pointing back towards Luing

I'd decided to camp by the wee loch on the east side of the island and after about an hours' walk along the eastern shore, with great views back towards the mainland, we reached the loch and set up camp for the night.

Setting up camp

Base camp for our mini adventure

After a short while we realised our plan had a flaw, the place was infested with midges! Next time, stay away from the loch I guess...

These midges are driving me crazy dad!

We quickly retreated into the safety of our wee tent and proceeded to have a rather uncomfortable night lying in between the huge grassy tussocks that we had unwisely pitched the tent on top of.

View across to Jura with the cairn marking the westward turn of the path

Next morning the weather was glorious and after a quick breakfast we set off again. We left the tent and most of the gear behind to collect on the way back. Just beyond the loch the path turns west and follows the southern edge of the island. The views across to Jura and the Corryvrechan are breathtaking.

Once we'd reached a point on the path roughly due south of the peak, we left the path and headed up a relatively gentle grassy slope towards the top. About 1h30 after leaving the loch, and without too much encouragement, Milo finally made it to the top.

Looking south on the way up, you can just about make out Colonsay on the horizon

The top (ish)

Although we didn't actually climb the final few meters to the trig point marking the top, Milo's wee legs had had enough by then and we needed to get back to the boat, the views from the small plateau at the summit were fantastic.

selfie at the top

I would have happily spent the afternoon wandering around the top but we had to get back, so down we went, packed up the tent and three hours later we were back at the jetty.

striking camp

are we nearly there?

Great fun, highly recommended.
Peter

[dooterbang]

Great mini adventure indeed

That last photo of Milo is priceless, a job well done.

Cheers.

[AnnieMacD]

Agree with Dooterbang - that is one great photo. What an adventure for a wee guy - he'll probably remember it for the rest of his life - and you will too!!