SeaXplorer - boat trips out of Ballachulish

The kind and generous folk who run Vertical Descents in Onich and who also run SeaXplorer fast boat trips from just down the road in Ballachulish offered a familiarisation trip for the staff at Clachaig. With a date set some weeks in advance, it was a lottery as to whether we'd be regretting it on the day, or smearing on the sun cream.

St John's Church by the A82 at Ballachulish

As luck would have it, it turned out to be the latter (good work Isi - can you also make the sun shine 3 weeks on Thursday, please?) Hard to imagine better conditions for our boat ride round Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe.

All aboard - the boat is moored at the pier by the Isles of Glencoe hotel

The meeting point is at the Ballachulish Visitor Centre car park. Very handy for free parking, toilets and the obligatory coffee and cakes after your trip. You can also book your trip here. Fetching blue suits and life jackets are available for all. If you think its a bit of overkill wait till the bow wave starts blowing over the rib at 30 knots!

Isi modelling the latest in marine fashion

We've known our guides, Dave and Simon, for many years, and the enthusiasm, knowledge, skill and humour they demonstrated throughout the trip came as no surprise. First up was a trip round the corner to the Burial Isle, followed by a quick spin round Loch Leven to take in the superb views back to Glencoe.

We then set off under the Ballachulish Bridge, leaving Loch Leven behind and heading across Loch Linnhe to the Morven coastline towards Kingairloch. This part of Lochaber is a great place to visit any time but from the water on a blue sky day its just fantastic. No sign of the sea eagles that frequent these coasts but plenty of other wildlife, from feral goats (on the land that is), porpoise, birds galore and the not-as-common, common seal.

The burial isle, with Ben Vhair beyond

Loch Linnhe was like a mill pond making warp speed a very exhilarating experience. Unlike my last trip on a rib out of Mallaig to the isle of Rum. At the time it was blowing the proverbial 'hoolie' in the Sound of Sleat. Head to toe waterproofs, a handrail and a big padded cushion were definitely required on that occasion!


The final leg took us round the small island of Balnagowan, just off Cuil Bay, before heading back up towards Ballachulish. The final bit of fun is a creel that the SeaXplorer guys have in the water off the Holly Tree Hotel. Pot luck as to what you find in it. One large prawn and a couple of dog fish in our case!

Warp speed on Loch Linnhe - Ben Nevis just visible with spring snow

The whole point of the trip was to get us enthusing about so that we could tell you. And it did exactly that. Its a great way of spending a couple of ours, even if you'd generally not consider yourself to be someone seen in a boat very often. everything you need is provided (but do take warm clothes and a camera) and as well as seeing loads, you'll also learn loads. We can't recommend it enough!