Oh, Water Adventure!

An experienced guide is called for on a challenging sea kayaking trip

- NICK DRAINEY

I WAS definitely out of my comfort zone. The high winds had eased, only to be replaced by a Biblical deluge of rain across Loch Carron.

Sitting in a sea kayak, heading away from shore, I wondered, "What on earth - or water - am I doing?"

Guide and instructor Willie Fraser was all you could wish for. He kept a smile on his face and was as technical as I needed him to be in what I thought was intolerable and dangerous weather; he just told me to keep paddling to one side or the other, and any collisions with rocks or moored yachts in the bay off Plockton would be avoided.

"Flippin' 'eck (or a similar phrase), easy for him to say," was my thought as I tried vainly to keep up- or catch up - with the others.

Willie knew I was nervous but let me find my level.

After a few minutes my heart rate did begin to lower; he was right, the kayak would change direction if I made it. The rain levels lowered as well.

This wasn't too bad. I thought I might survive. Then the rain eased completely and I caught up with everyone else. They had stopped, which was a help.