HOLSWORTHY farm animal vet Rupert Kirkwood is nearing the end of a six-week kayaking trip up the west coast of Scotland, taking in all the Scottish islands, large and small, on the way. He had planned the trip for well over a year, and started from Oban on May 1. In six weeks of paddling 500 miles, his voyage has taken him around the top of Lismore Island, up Mull Sound, into Loch Sunart. He then had to take the kayak out of the water and do a three-mile 'portage' from Salen to reach water again at Loch Shiel. In weather ranging from hot sun to strong winds and torrential rain, he continued his paddle to Loch Moidart across to Arasaig, then Malaig, then circumnavigated Loch Horn before reaching Kyleakin. He has encountered a vast variety of wildlife, including seals, otters (33 at the last count!), porpoises, dolphins, deer, golden eagles and sea eagles and even three, shy and uncommon Pine Martens. For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.