Looking at a the OS map or a chart you quickly realise it's essential that you get the tides right. In the eastern end of the Firth the consequences of a mistake with the tides could mean a hours stuck on sand banks, which in places could be up to 10km from the shore line.
This was our first visit to the Solway Firth for kayaking, so we decided to air on the side of caution. We planned a modest route setting off mid way through the incoming tide to ensure a walk across the sand was avoided. We decided to start from the village of Rockcliffe and paddle west along a rocky coastline towards Kirkcubright. Ideally we would have done this in the opposite direction to paddle with the tide, but we were running late and wanted to get on the water.
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| Starting point - the beach at Rockcliffe |
When you're driving along the coast don't be put off by the views of miles of sand, the water is more accessible at Rockcliffe and Kirkcubright.
We set out from the pleasant sandy beach at the end of the road in Rockcliffe and headed south past Rough Island. The water was shallow and we weaved between sand banks until passed Almoreness Point.
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| Heading towards Hestan Island |
The gravelly rib on the north end of Hestan Island was still exposed so we opted for a clockwise loop around the island. The southern tip of the island is rocky and exposed and the easterly wind against the incoming tide kicked up some exhilarating rough water.
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| Rough water on the southern end of Hestan Island |
From Hestan Island we paddled a further kilometre west into Auchencairn Bay and had a lunch stop on the rocky beach below The Tower at Balcary Point.
As you'd expect with estuary water it's full of silt and has a muddy look, but the surface is clean and there was very little floating rubbish or signs of pollution.
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| The Tower at Balcary Point |
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| Auchencairn Bay |
After lunch we headed further west where the coast terrain became a lot more interesting. On the stretch of coast between Balcary Point and Port Mary it was wilder feeling, with high cliffs, inlets and sections of interesting rock hopping.
As you get closer to Kirkcubright the coast becomes more exposed to swell and given the wind speed we experienced surprisingly choppy conditions. In the mouth of the Dee the tide flows at 4kn, so tides are certainly worth considering here.
By the time we reached Mullock Bay the tide had turned and we decide to and head back. With the wind and tide against us progress was slow but manageable and eventually we reached Hestan Island. The gravelly rib on the north end of Hestan Island was fully submersed and the tide was racing across it. We cut in close to the island and dodged the strongest areas of the flow and ended up having a bit of fun in the waves.
From Hestan Island the paddle was straight forward back to the beach at Rockcliffe.
Summary
A varied and interesting paddle, which should definitely be on everyone's tick list.
Additional information
Distance
19.5km
Tides
The pilot for the area is the West Coasts of England and Wales Pilot) and for Kirkcubright Bay E-going stream starts HW Liverpool -0600 and the W-going stream starts at HW Liverpool. There is no information for Rockcliffe . In the mouth of the Dee the tide flows at 4kn.
Swell
Past and around Hestan Island it is exposed to swell from the west.
Access
There's small car park about 300 metres from the beach.
Other recommended routes
The Mull of Galloway is well worth a trip, however it has a very strong tidal race and is exposed to considerable swell.
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