Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates Introduction Course Book Now
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates Introduction Course Book Now Trip Grade: Green 1 Introduction Course Based in beautiful Torridon, this short break will equip you with the essential skills to get you started sea kayaking, while you enjoy paddling in fantastic locations. These sheltered stretches of water are the perfect place to learn the basics of sea kayaking and develop your skills further under the close eye of our highly-qualified sea kayak guide. Throughout the trip you will enjoy comfortable accommodation in a private bunkhouse located on the loch shore, with hot showers, a wood-burning stove and comfortable beds. Highlights • Learn essential sea kayaking skills while experiencing some of the best sea kayaking in Scotland • Develop your paddling techniques on beautiful Upper Loch Torridon and the local area • At the end of a day on the water, relax with a hot shower, fantastic food and a comfortable bed Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 2 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure, 1 guide per 4 clients PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Planned Itinerary Day 1 | Welcome and Onto the Water Day 2 | Skills Session and Exploring Upper Loch Torridon Day 3 | Sea Kayaking in Torridon or Applecross Day 4 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross Day 5 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross Arrival Info • Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area • 10.30am on Day 1 of your trip Departure Info • You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 4:00pm on the final day of your trip PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | Welcome and Onto The Water After meeting in Inverness we make the 2 hour drive to our accommodation on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon. After settling in, we’ll have lunch and our guide will outline what lies ahead. Later that afternoon, we’ll get on the water. Upper Loch Torridon is a very sheltered sea-loch which makes it the perfect place to enjoy your first paddle. The surrounding scenery is superb, with the Torridon mountains of Liathach and Beinn Alligin rising steeply from the side of the loch. Returning to the bunkhouse, the guide will co-ordinate dinner, which everyone helps prepare - good training for future expeditions! (L, D) Day 2 | Skills Session and Exploring Upper Loch Torridon After a relaxing breakfast, we will return to Upper Loch Torridon and launch the kayaks once again. Your guide will introduce you to new kayaking strokes before you set off on an exploration of this beautiful loch, perhaps venturing into Loch Shieldaig, stopping for lunch in one of the sandy bays. Surrounded by the imposing Torridon mountains, you will develop your sea kayaking skills and gain confidence to allow a longer journey on the sea the following day. (B, L) Day 3 | Sea Kayaking in Torridon or Applecross Today we will build on your skills and enjoy exploring some of the beautiful coastline or perhaps even visiting some of the islands which are located just off the coast of the North West Highlands. (B, L) Day 4 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross Sea kayaking in Applecross is superb and on this journey we explore Loch Shieldaig and Shieldaig Island. Known for its beautiful Scots Pines, heronry and seal population, the island is protected by the National Trust for Scotland. We may paddle further along the north Applecross coast and kayak into Loch Torridon or to the remote Diabaig coastline before kayaking back to the pretty village of Shieldaig. After a warm shower at the bunkhouse, we will visit the local pub for a hearty dinner and reflect on a superb day of sea kayaking. (B, L, D) Day 5 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross The final day will see you embark on a sea kayaking journey in Loch Kishorn on the southern coast of Applecross. We will kayak across the bay to Kishorn Island with its seal colony, using our enhanced sea kayaking skills as we journey through this beautiful corner of Scotland. We’ll kayak back to shore early afternoon, load up the kayaks and travel back to Inverness for the end of the trip. (B, L) Trip Grading | Green 1 | Green graded sea kayaking trips are suitable for those with little or no previous sea kayaking experience. There is an emphasis on instruction and developing your skills while enjoying the surroundings of some superb locations. You will be able to progress your skills and experience throughout the trip. You should have a reasonable level of fitness and you can expect up to 6 hours of sea kayaking each day, with breaks onshore to stretch your legs. You will also be asked to assist with carrying the boats to and from the water, working as a team. In the event of bad weather preventing us from kayaking your guide will offer an alternative activity such as an easy hike. The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join. If our guides feel that you are not able to complete a scheduled hike they may ask you not to join in that day. If you have any questions about the grading, then please do give our Adventure Consultants a call to chat through your experience and suitability for this trip. It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described activities in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first. Accommodation and Meals We will be based in a private bunkhouse located on the shores of Loch Torridon. The bunkhouse has a traditional and rustic feel, with a wood-burning stove in the centre of the main living area. A modern kitchen and hot shower make it a cosy and warm place to return to after a day of kayaking. There are 2 dormitory-style bedrooms with 4 bunks each. One dorm will be allocated to males and the other for females. Please note that the bunks are enclosed so if you are above average height you will not be able to stretch out fully. Breakfasts, lunches and the evening meal on Day 1 are prepared 'expedition style' with everyone lending a hand in both the preparation and clearing up, with our guide coordinating. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, simply let us know in advance. On Day 4, we go out for a final night dinner. On the other nights, we visit some of the nearby pubs and inns, which offer good food at reasonable prices. Please bring a towel and a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags can be hired from us. If you require one please let us know in advance. Single Rooms There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however you will be required to share a room with other travellers of the same sex. Inclusions This trip includes the following: • 4 nights accommodation in a private bunkhouse with hot showers, wood- burning stove, fully equipped kitchen, lounge and drying room • Most meals, from lunch on Day 1 until lunch on Day 5. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • All transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing in Inverness • All specialist sea kayaking equipment, including sea kayaks, paddles, waterproof cags and buoyancy aids • The services of our experienced and knowledgeable sea kayak guide throughout your trip (guide:client ratio 1:4). Our holidays reviewed in your words… This was my first experience of Wilderness Scotland and I definitely want more. Everything about the experience was “ positive. Whether an outdoor enthusiast or someone that just wants to experience something different then Wilderness Scotland is the place to start Peter Douglas ” All Trip Reviews Here Your Guide During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you. For more info and to meet the team please see our Guide Pages. Sustainable Travel Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive. We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC). We are also proud to be a John Muir Trust Peak Partner. Thanks in part to the generosity of our clients though our Conservation Contribution scheme the John Muir Trust can rely on our investment to go towards conservation projects that have a deep connection to Wilderness Scotland and the areas we adventure in. You can learn more about the work we’re doing with the John Muir Trust and the other ways we care for the wild places we love here. Equipment List Check out our guide on what to wear when adventuring in Scotland. wildernessscotland.com/blog/what-to-wear-sea-kayaking-in-scotland Eat | Stay | See Looking for accommodation for before or after your adventure with us? Check out our list of where to stay and what to do Eat | Stay | See | Inverness.pdf General Info – Scotland From food and drink to the Loch Ness Monster, our General Info for Scotland guide has got you covered for all your need to to know facts.