Paddling Ancestral Waters

September 18, 2024 1 Comment

TRAK paddler Glenn Mac Fadyen recently completed the trip of a lifetime, returning to his family homeland to paddle ancestral waters after a life of adventures at sea. Scotland, with its dramatic coastlines, rugged landscapes, and serene lochs, offers some of the most breathtaking sea kayaking experiences in the world - promising adventure, stunning scenery, and a chance to connect with nature like never before.

Setting off for a month-long trip of paddling, across the globe from your home was a trip that only could've been accomplished with the Ultimate Touring Kayak.

 

Glenn and paddling partner Neil had set out an ambitious 28 day trip, circumnavigating much of the Hebrides and western coast of Scotland. This rugged coastline is some of the most western territory in the UK and features dramatic landscapes and ancient castles.

The pair were already quite prepared when they decided on this trip. "I'm supposed to say that we worked our asses off... but that wasn't the case." Glenn is a kayaking instructor in the summer but paddles throughout the year. He's undertaken many 2-3 week kayak expeditions, overnight trips and long journeys in Australia and Tasmania.

"We had to think deeply about the equipment and what to take. It was my first time taking the TRAK on an aircraft to 'use it as intended'. We researched the weather and climate to expect, and packed down as small as we could manage."

Neil and Glenn are both kayak instructors and had worked together previously, and had spent some time preparing, going over primary kayaking skills and going over their boats again together.

"We checked the conditions, charts, and planned our potential campsites, resupplies, emergency exits, the lot."

 

 

Their journey officially began in Australia, on the other end of the globe. Glenn managed to condense his boat, equipment and supplies down into a 54.7kg pack - unfortunately 2.7kg over the airline limit. A kind woman working the desk was intrigued by Glenn's "kayak in a bag" and let him through.

Arriving in Scotland on May 3rd, the pair set out to collect final supplies and preparation before journeying to Mallaig by train. They set off, paddling south along the coastline toward the Isle of Mull.

"I had packed a bivy but only slept in it for two nights, there was so much condensation. We lucked out with the weather, and I was able to tarp camp the rest of the trip. That said, it rained most days, and if it didn't rain that day, 'it was gonna!'".

 

 

Unfortunately it was around this point in the trip that Neil had to depart the paddling partnership. "He was having trouble with his Feathercraft, and the cockpit was causing him great discomfort." 

From here Glenn continued on alone now, through Loch Linnhe and up to Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis - the UK's tallest peak. Throughout the trip Glenn had been kept well fed with local produce, fruit and veg, and found it easy to store them onboard. "The water kept the hull cool, and the interior spaces of the vessel acted like a refrigerator for my veggies." The strategy worked well, he didn't have to often restock and it was easy to keep fed in camp.

A favourite of his was the Ridge Monkey sandwich maker, it was hard to beat a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich, especially at the end of a long day.

 

 

Pressing onwards, Glenn worked his way inland toward Loch Ness and Inverness, traveling through the Great Glenn Canoe Trail at the other side. His paddling was nearly complete.

"There were too many favourite spots to count! Some of the standouts were the Island of Mull, Iona Island, the Treshnish Islands, Castle Stalker in Loch Linnhe, Lismore Island, the Great Glenn Canoe Trail...."

 

 

The highlight however was paddling in behind a shipwreck on the final part of the canal into Inverness in the pouring rain. Sitting on the shoreline was a Grebe (bird) with two little babies sheltering on the rocks. The wildlife was sensational. The seals, otters, red deer, and birds of every kind. "'Have you seen any otters?' some Scottish folk would ask, out with their telescopes and telephoto lenses. The Scottish people were wonderful, so kind and welcoming to us."

"Paddling here is Nirvana, it's a really incredible place. It had been 40 years since I was last here and always loved the UK. There is a fantastic paddling community here too, and it's not beyond the reach of an average paddler if you're smart. My mum is from London and my dad from Scotland, this was a coming home for me."

 

 

The ability to tour around Scotland with the TRAK packed provided access to so many places and put ins that wouldn't be possible with another boat. "If I could only own one boat in the world it'd be a TRAK. I just loved it. It did everything so well. Sailing up Loch Ness in 25kt following seas all by myself - I had fitted a sail to the TRAK to extend its capabilities. It was one of the best days of my paddling career. What other boat could I fly to Scotland, put on a train to the edges of the continent, and experience such sublime paddling?"

Glenn was able to journey all the way back to the Mac Fadyen ancestral Moy Castle, on the Island of Mull. "When I arrived at the castle I had planned to put my hands into the waters of Lochbuie. It was a significant moment for a boy who has heard about it all his life, and it was cool to make my pilgrimage all the way to the family lands."

 

 

Next up on Glenn's paddling bucket list is Canada, and a return to Scotland to do the Hebrides. "I could spend the rest of my life paddling in Scotland. Glasgow to Edinburg via the Falkirk Wheel. France to the Mediterranean. When I was a kid we didn't get to sail the canals with my family - it's unfinished business now."

There's lots of places in the world to take the TRAK and explore.

"Gotta keep pinching yourself, when you own a TRAK it makes the whole world your paddling playground!"

 

 

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