When you get the call from Craig the Activity Manager at Drimsynie saying he has done the hard part and arranged the transport to Ardentinny and the transport back from Carrick Castle – you go. Ardentinny to Carrick Castle is a linear walk following the west shore of Loch Long up over the hills to the entrance to Loch Goil before dropping down into the village of Carrick Castle. The map says between 5-6 miles, which doesn’t sound too far but we fairly yomped it dead on two hours. A more considered... Read→
If wild swimming is your thing, then come along to cheer off the participants in a mega swim in Loch Lomond on 28 August. Starting at 5pm at Ardlui and finishing…. wait for it, at Drumkinnon by Balloch at about 7am. A distance of 21.75 miles and you’ll have noticed from the times – involving swimming overnight and nonstop. To do this event you have to prove your fitness by registering 4 8 mile swims in 2 years and have a support boat beside you for safety and support. I will be going... Read→
The Small Acorns fun family environmental event at Hunters Quay was a buzz of activity, with over 3000 visitors to the park over the weekend. With the week before being wet and the forecast showing no change, preparations had all been put in place for undercover activities. However, we need not have bothered – as if by request, the sun shone for the whole two days. Folks flocked to the park in their droves, This year’s event had a slightly different layout to previous years, with exhibitors... Read→
Salvation Army charity swim With the cancellation of the Scottish leg of British Gas Great Swim, due to water having toxic algae at Strathclyde Park, some 600 swimmers where left disappointed. Rachel Alexander from Wellingborough was not to be put off and did some research on Google for another venue. Thanks to the wonder of the internet, Loch Goil was flagged up. Rachel had already done a lot of preparation for her swim and was determined it would happen. So, Rachel booked flights and accommodation... Read→
A phone call from Thomas “the gladiator” Noblet, owner of the Langdale Chase Hotel in Windermere and TV star of The Lakes, brought the offer of a boxing match on their white collar show in aid of Penrith children and families. The match takes place on 3 September in Penrith and will be recorded for the ITV 1 show The Lakes to be shown early 2011. I have started training hard here and keeping in the zone. I travelled down to Blackpool for a training session with the rest of the fighters... Read→
Are you in shape? Are you planning on getting shape? The Kyles Marketing Group are planning a run billed as: The Kyles 10 Miles on Sunday Sept 12th at NOON around the Ardlamont loop There is a website: www.Kyles10miles.co.uk for info / registration etc They are looking for some help/involvement in Cowal as a whole With the planning As a participant As a sponsor Maybe you can put a team together Anyone prepared to be involved on the day – as a marshall / timing person/ water provider Any... Read→
Changes in pool hours at the Drimsynie Leisure Centre. New in the swimming pool this summer is the introduction of adult only swimming every morning 8.30am to 9.30am. An evening adults only session will run Tuesday and Thursday nights 8pm to 9pm. A children and family water polo game is held every Sunday 3pm to 3.45pm in shallow end of pool. A floats and fun session are held on Thursday at 3.30pm in shallow end of pool. Read More →
The west districts Open Water Championship was a overwhelming success. Staged on Saturday, 14 August 2010 it can only be said that Loch Goil worked its magic. With a water temperature of 16 degrees it was ideal, and the conditions were calm. The sun shone and with over 100 spectators watching, cheering and looking on in awe at the hardy competitors it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. The route was a triangle shape in middle of loch with a depth of over 300 feet. 45 swimmers in total raced over... Read→
The Great swims take place in London, Manchester, the Lake district, Suffolk and Strathclyde and they are the by far the biggest open water swimming events in UK attracting around 10,000 people . A film crew will be including Loch Goil as one of the UK locations. Olympic swimmer Cassie Patten will be lead on her local swim by Craig Nobes, the Activity manager at the Drimsynie Estate. Craig is becoming well known in the area as the person who keeps trying to get visitors, locals and guests into wetsuits... Read→