CORVID-19 is still here and you are asked to be safe whilst out in the North West of Scotland. Current restrictions have been relaxed recently. Even so, please do not go out in the area if you are showing signs of Corvid-19. When out paddling or hillwalking make sure you give people space - 1m at least and preferable 2m. Remember that if it feels too crowded then you can walk away and try somewhere else; the environment will still be there tomorrow. Also remember the emergency services, the RNLI and the MRT. They will come out to rescue you but they should not have to put themselves into danger from this virus.

Take Care Out There.

Isle Ristol

Isle Ristol
OS map : 15
start : Old Dornie Pier
gridref : NB981111
summary : Old Dornie - around Isle Ristol - Old Dornie
tide : HW/LW 5mins before Ullapool. Tidal flow is minimal (0.5kn) around this area.
distance : 5.0km.
time taken : 1hr. 30min.

Isle Ristol beach the best in the Summer Isles

Getting there !

An interesting paddle around Isle of Ristol starting from Old Dornie. The Isle boasts one of the two sandy beaches in the summer Isles; worth a visit but it does come early in the journey. The harbour is sheltered as is the east of the Isle, but the western edge is exposed to the westerly winds and there can be some significant swell.

Follow the road around to Old Dornie and around Old Dornie Bay. There is a jetty making launching easy at all states of the tide. Ample parking at the side of the road but remember this is a busy harbour and paddlers should park with care.

From the harbour the island ahead is Isle of Ristol and the plan is to circumnavigate this anti-clockwise. Set off from the pier and make your way through the shallow water to the E of the island. At very low tide it is not possible to paddle through the narrows. This situation can last for around an hour at low tide. In less than 0.5km is a lovely sandy beach, one of only two such beaches in the Summer Isles. Maybe too early to start but never resist the opportunity for a coffee. (1kms. 0hrs. 20min.)

There is no real possibility for a sensible landing on the rest of Isle Ristol until back on the east of the Isle. From the beach, continue around the ishmus which must be paddled on the seaward side in low tide conditions. It is likely to see a colony of seals around this area of the Isle. From here onwards the high cliffs appear and with the exposure to the Atlantic, this may be rough. Paddle west then south around the Isle until the size of the cliffs lessens. The smaller cliffs along the south of the Isle can provide some interesting wildlife. Once the southern corner of the Isle has been turned you enter the shelter of the Isle and it is a pleasant paddle back to the pier. (4kms. 1hrs. 10min.)