Wild Isles Sea Kayaking

On our recent Isle of Mull expedition I was joined by a team of three strong paddlers up for a challenging 5-day expedition to include the islands of Inch Kenneth, Iona, Erraid, Staffa and Ulva.

Day one saw us launch under the slopes on Ben More and head south along the Burg peninsular, formed by lava flows from the volcanoes that formed the mountains of Mull, and shaped by glaciers and sea. Caves, inlets and waterfalls provided plenty to explore along the shores of the burg, before we found a spot to camp near Ardtun on the Ross of Mull, looking back over to the Burg.

I've just got back and have been reflecting on the most amazing time on Shetland, including three brilliant days on the water as part of the Kayak Symposium.

I've been inspired by the combination of truly stunning paddling, fascinating history, wildlife and the sheer abundance of places to explore to make this a place I'll come back to time and time again.

Amongst many highlights, I managed to squeeze in a trip around Mousa with my dad on our last day before heading back.

Huge thanks to Shetland Canoe Club for the invitation and for getting me there and back.

I've had a brilliant experience at Shetland Kayak Symposium with a wonderful weekend of paddling on Shetland's coastline and meeting friends old and new!

Huge thanks to all the organisers, coaches, assistants, participants, cake-makers and cooks who made the event so enjoyable.

I feel like I've just started to scratch the surface of paddling in Shetland so can't wait to come back for more!

We're off to Shetland for the Shetland Sea Kayak Symposium with Ferries!

Looking forward to meeting lots of new paddlers, seeing some old friends and enjoying some spectacular coastline.

On the fourth and final day of our recent expedition (route shown in yellow on the map) we set off from Puilladobrain on glassy seas and then worked our way south under the iconic Bridge Over the Atlantic. Trying to line up for a photo as the tide was flowing through the bridge provided plenty of entertainment!

The third day of our recent expedition (shown in blue on the map) saw us paddle across from our camp spot to Luing before heading north towards Cullipool. We weaved through the maze of islands south of Cullipool before stopping for a brilliant lunch at the Atlantic Islands Centre.

Refreshed and refueled, we headed north, past the historic slate mining island of Easdale and up to Puilladobhrain (the pool of the otter) to enjoy tea and cake in the shelter of our tarp while the rain increased.

The second day of our recent expedition (shown in green on the map) saw us wake up on Eileach an Naoimh shrouded in mist.

After an early start to catch the tide we crossed over to Scarba, paddling on a compass bearing as we lost sight of the Garvellachs behind us before Scraba appeared ahead of us. We could hear the waves breaking on the shore before we could see them!

The tide was ebbing through the Corryvreckan so we were swept through on lively seas, picking a line between the strong eddies and the main flow.

After the Corryvreckan we headed east over to Luing, Shuna and the Ardfern peninsula for our second camp of the trip and a well earned rest.

We had a brilliant time on day one of our recent expedition. The route for day 1 is marked in red on the map.

Starting off in Cuan sound, we headed out into the Sound of Luing, stopping on Belnahua for lunch and to explore the island. The slate quarries now filled with water and favoured by tysties (black guillimots), the abandonded houses and the remains of machinery remind us of the intense industry that took place on these islands.

After leaving Belnahua we threaded past Ormsa and between Eilean Dubh Mor and Eilean Dubh Beag before heading to Garbh Eileach and along to Eileach an Naoimh. Here we camped amongst the ruins of chapels, churchs and beehive cells, all showing the importance of these islands for worship across hundreds of years.

Our recent visitors from Canada had two very different days on the water!

On the first day we had light winds, so headed south in the Sound of Kerrera to Barnacarry Bay for lunch. With stronger winds in the forecast for the second day we opted for the Crinal Canal to find calm waters, with the locks, swing bridges, other boats and wildlife providing plenty of interest!

We had a great expedition recently to introduce a group of paddlers from Malta to Scottish sea kayaking! With stronger winds from the north west, we headed to Lismore for shelter. Great camping, and spectacular veiws. We had a great mix of calm conditions with a few lively crossings between the smaller islands to the north of the island.

One of the most memorable moments was realising the contribution a flock of geese can make to the dawn chorus at 5 in the morning!