Hi Judith,

dilemmas, that's what ethics usually bring!
But I am with you: Loch Gilp is nothing like the West Coast.

What I cannot grasp: you need to sign out only once, right?
So I would suggest, sign out, head for the West Coast, have your paddle and start making your way to the East Coast.
(Unless you are aiming for a nice bed in an Ardrishaig's hotel, that first Friday night.)

Loch Sween doesn't look that promising for a west-coast-feeling. I would prefer Ardnoe Point and the grave that Jean mentioned in her report
on http://www.doodlecat.com/tgo/JeanT2011/index.html

I am thinking of this west-coast-starting-point: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/245254
If all goes well I should be in the bus arriving Friday 11.54 so plenty of time to follow the canal to Ardnoe Point and camp out.

Bart Horeman

Bert

I didn't say that Ardrishaig was on the west coast, I said it was on the west highland coast and the waters of Loch Gilp are west coast waters.

"My purpose in writing this book is to help you know the west highland coast" W H Murray. Ardrishaig included.

Hi Bart

At first I was thinking of arriving at Ardrishaig then dashing to the West Coast and going back to Ardrishaig then starting my crossing in the morning.

But your idea seems sensible (and has also been suggested to me by email) so I think I may sign out then start walking West and North-ish until I reach enough West-facing water to paddle in. I'll figure out the detail sometime between now and the end of January. (Or, more likely, on 11th May!)