Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates The Sound of Arisaig Book Now Trip Grade: Blue 5 The Sound of Arisaig Our exploration of the Sound of Arisaig is the perfect trip to sample the beauty of the West Coast and Inner Hebrides. Journeying by sea kayak, you will discover this remarkable coastal landscape with its plethora of marine wildlife and birds. The vistas are inspiring - particularly the white sand beaches of Arisaig that are set against the backdrop of the gracefully-sculpted Small Isles of Rum, Eigg and Muck and the dramatic Cuillin Mountains of the Isle of Skye. Experience remote wild camping spots on isolated beaches and on islands covered by colourful natural woodlands where you can relax after a day on the water. These relatively sheltered waters are the perfect place to enjoy an expedition, developing your skills under the close eye of our expert guide and experiencing some of the best sea kayaking to be found anywhere in the world. Highlights • Paddle through the crystal clear waters of the Sound of Arisaig, which are home to a diverse variety of wildlife • Explore a wilderness of white sand beaches and secluded islands on Scotland’s west coast • Develop your sea kayaking skills in an expedition environment, led by our experienced and qualified guides Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 2 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure PLEASE NOTE – This is a sea kayaking expedition. All distances and times are approximate, and 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 | The Expedition Begins & Castle Tioram Day 2 | Eilean Shona to Ardnish Day 3 | Ardnish to Loch Nan Uamh Day 4 | Loch Nan Uamh to South Morar Day 5 | South Morar to Skerries Day 6 | Skerries to Arisaig & Transfer to Inverness Arrival Info • Your Guide will meet you at 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 by • 4:00pm on the final day of your trip PLEASE NOTE – This is a sea kayaking expedition. All distances and times are approximate, and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | The Expedition Begins & Castle Tioram We travel via the darkly-mysterious Loch Ness to our put-in point near Arisaig where the expedition begins. We prepare the sea kayaks and discuss safety procedures before setting off, kayaking past the eerie ruins of the medieval Castle Tioram into the sheltered waters of Loch Moidart. Journeying past mighty Caledonian pines on the shoreline, we set up camp on the magical island of Eilean Shona. (L, D) Paddle details: 7 km / 4 miles | approx. 2 hours* Day 2 | Eilean Shona to Ardnish Waking up on our remote island, we’ll enjoy a relaxed al fresco breakfast before breaking camp and heading north. As we go, we’ll be treated with unparalleled views of the famous volcanic plug of An Sgurr, the highest point on Eigg as well as the Rum Cuillin ridge. Crossing the mouth of Loch Ailort, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the marine wildlife that is regularly spotted in this area. We’ll head for the Ardnish Peninsula and upon landing, we’ll establish camp on Peanmeanach Beach. (B, L, D) Paddle details: 14 km / 8.5 miles | approx. 7 hours* Day 3 | Ardnish to Loch Nan Uamh Today we’ll follow the coastline of the Ardnish Peninsula as we explore Loch nan Uamh, an area played an important role in the Jacobite rebellion of the 1740s. As you travel through the area, delve into Scotland’s fascinating history with your guide as they recount the rich history of the area. Tonight, we’ll set up camp on a sheltered bay on the loch's north shore. (B, L, D) Paddle details: 12 km / 7.5 miles | approx. 6 hours* Day 4 | Loch Nan Uamh to South Morar Beautiful Loch an Uamh has hundreds of islands and skerries dotting its far-flung coastline. The crystal clear water offers an incredible window to the world below. As we wind our way through the skerries, you’ll see, fish, crabs, starfish, sea urchins and anemones clinging to the rocks and on the sea floor. We’ll spend an idyllic day paddling around this stunning loch before setting up camp on a quiet ad remote beach in South Morar. (B, L, D) Paddle details: 12 km / 7.5 miles | approx. 6 hours* Day 5 | South Morar to Skerries For the most challenging day of our adventure, we paddle round a remote headland and into the South Channel of Loch nan Ceall. The effort is rewarded with superb views and encounters with the local seal colonies that makes the rocky inlets their home. Careful not to disturb the seals, we will be able to observe these amazing animals in their natural habit. Curious in nature, don’t be surprised to see one swim under your kayak or pop up beside you. It’s easy to see why many consider this one of the best sea kayaking journeys in Scotland. For our final night, we’ll set up camp on our own private island tonight. (B, L, D) Paddle details: 12 km / 7.5 miles | approx. 6 hours* Day 6 | Skerries to Arisaig & Transfer to Inverness After a final camp breakfast, we’ll launch our kayaks and paddle our way through the beach-fringed islands that guard the entrance to Arisaig. Trailed by seals and a myriad of sea birds, we’ll paddle into Arisaig harbour and come to the end of our sea kayaking journey. We’ll enjoy lunch in a cosy local café before we return to Inverness and the train station where you can continue your journey home. (B, L) Paddle details: 7 km / 4 miles | approx. 3 hours* Accommodation and Meals On our sea kayaking expeditions, we camp near the shore in spectacular coastal locations. These camps may be remote and difficult to access by foot and this element of isolation adds to their appeal. We provide single tents unless you are travelling with a partner or in a group and would like a tent to share. We also carry a base camp tent, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. Single tents are two-person sized, and for sharing we use three-person tents. While the leader will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is expected to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after what can be long days. Trip Grading | Blue 5 | This trip is graded Blue 5. Our blue graded trips are multi-day itineraries and some are accommodation-based and some are camping- based. These trips are suitable for people with at least 5 previous days of sea kayaking experience, and it is preferable if at least some of this was under instruction. You should have a good level of fitness as you can expect up to 6 hours of sea kayaking each day, with plenty of breaks onshore to stretch your legs. The kayaking will be in coastal waters with few open crossings and you can expect to kayak up to 12km in a day, although this will be subject to weather and wind conditions. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the relevant fitness and required experience to join our trips. Please refer to the video grading video on our website for more details. 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. Inclusions This trip includes the following: • All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on the day of departure. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable sea-kayak guide / driver throughout your trip. On trips with more than 4 clients, a qualified assistant guide will also be with the group throughout the trip. • All specialist sea kayaking equipment, including sea kayaks, waterproof cags and buoyancy aids. • All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking /eating equipment and utensils. Please note that sleeping bags are not included. However, sleeping bags and sleeping mats are available for hire. • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness. Our Holidays Reviewed in Your Words… The best way to get out and enjoy the wild. The guides have a “ huge amount of knowledge of the areas and the activities. You will see breathtaking sights and learn a new skill. All in safe hands and surrounded by friendly like minded people. Abyssinia Odunukwe ” 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.