Sea Kayak Ulster

Arran is a wonderful Island in the heart of the Clyde overshadowed by the Kintyre peninsula. For outdoor lovers, Arran has it all, it is often referred to as Scotland in Miniature. Mountains, lakes and stunning coastline. 

We tour some of the islands most wonderous coastal features, from Loch Ranza and Holy Islands to the historical Black Cave and Kings caves – Famed to be one of the hiding places of Robert The Bruce while in exile. Each day we explore the history and beauty of this stunning island. 

Our expert leaders guide you around some of the best sites on the island to some of the best campsites with awe inspiring views. They will instruct you in camp craft and basic bushcraft while also educating you on how “leave no trace” and minimise our impact on the environment.

Taking to sea kayak, we explore the wonder of the coastline and enjoy everything this island has to offer. Over five days you will meet new friends, see new sites and enjoy the wonder of this inspiring place. 

We will teach you camp craft and adventure camping skills which can be assessed as one part of your British Canoeing Multi-day Touring award. We can also look at assessing your skills in line with the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Personal Paddling Award.

The expedition is designed to be a safe and fun introduction to the world of multi day expeditions. Each stage is planned to ensure plenty of landing spots, provision stops and village visits to allow you to experience the local culture and give some back to local businesses. 

We choose our wild camping spots carefully to ensure we reduce impact, using established sites, taking waste with us and ensuring we follow the principals of Leave No Trace. 

Camping

During the trip we stop at 4 awesome wild camping sites. This gives you the opportunity to get away from it all and get back to nature. Because many of the sites are not dedicated camping sites, it is important we teach you some of the basics of wild camping. This includes Leave No Trace principles. We can camp responsibly and preserve as much of the natural environment as possible.

If you are unsure of what type of tent solution to use, contact us to discuss your needs. We may be able top help in providing some basic lightweight gear.

Food and Cooking

During this trip we have two solutions for cooking. Our leaders will cook two meals for the group to demonstrate some of our favourite camp fire recipes, all of which we will make available to you to help with your own future trips. On the other nights we challenge you. Prior to the expedition we pair you up with another person in the team and challenge you to plan a meal on one of the nights to share with the group. 

During the trip we make several stops at local villages, most of which have cafes and stores for collecting basic supplies. This allows the opportunity to grab lunches and breakfasts, however we will give a selection of sample expedition foods from Real Turmat for you to try for breakfasts and Lunches in addition to whatever you might choose to bring for yourself. 

Kit hire

We can discuss kit choices for the expeditions in preparation for the trip, however we do have some items that can be borrowed from us. We can provide a limited number of kayaks if you are commuting by train/plane. These are provided for a basic usage fee to cover wear and tear. 

For more details or if you have any questions, please contact us!

A perfect introduction to expeditioning and circumnavigating islands in a sea kayak. Bute is a small island with lots of character and plenty of great features. On the trip we can look at expedition skills and give you tips and hints on how to improve your multi day sea kayaking skills. 

Bute has a vibrant coastline with great variety. With its sheltered position at the mouth of the Firth of Clyde, this expedition offers predictable conditions and lots of options to suit the needs of any paddler. Over three days, you will get the chance to be part of an expedition team. You will learn camp craft skills, become slick in kayak packing and learn some rudimentary expeditioning skills.

We will teach you and facilitate camp craft and adventure camping skills which can be assessed as one part of your British Canoeing Multi-day Touring award. We can also look at assessing your skills in line with the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Personal Paddling Award.

The expedition is designed to be a safe and fun introduction to the world of multi day expeditions. Each stage is planned to ensure plenty of landing spots, provision stops and village visits to allow you to experience the local culture and give some back to local businesses. 

We choose our wild camping spots carefully to ensure we reduce impact. Using established sites, taking waste with us and ensuring we follow the principals of Leave No Trace.

Getting There

Bute is located on the West coast of Scotland at the mouth of the Clyde. The Island is a short trip away from Glasgow by car or by train. 

We meet in Wemyss Bay to get the ferry to Rothesay to begin the paddle. There are options to start from Colintrave which is further North on other occasions. 

Camping

We make use of several camping spots along the islands coastline. Utilising wild camping spots, our experienced leaders will teach you some of the skills of expedition wild camping to learn how to make the best of nature, camp responsibly and leave no trace. This can also be linked to the Paddle UK Multi-Day Touring Award.

Food and cooking

On this trip our leaders provide the evening meal. We attempt to cater for everyone and make dishes that suit the dietary requirements of the whole group. These dishes come from our extensive collection of expedition recipes that we can share with you to take away and practice for yourself. 

Breakfast and Lunches are your own choice but we provide some simple and lightweight solutions from Real Turrmat as samples for you to try. 

For more details or if you have any questions, please contact us!

Join us on a kayak trip to the Scottish Small Isles of Eigg, Rum and Canna. These amazing islands offer a rare blend of wild beauty, rich history and unforgettable seascapes.

Paddling across clear, unpredictable waters, adventurers are treated to dramatic coastlines, soaring cliffs and the ever-present possibility of spotting dolphins, seals or sea birds overhead.

Each island has its own distinct character: Eigg with its striking An Sgùrr ridge, Rum’s rugged volcanic peaks, and Canna’s tranquil bays and thriving wildlife. Together, they create a journey that is as challenging as it is breathtaking, promising a true immersion in the remote magic of Scotland’s west coast.

Prepare to be captivated by the blend of history, wildlife, and stunning scenery as we explore this timeless corner of Scotland.

Over six days, you will get the chance to be part of an expedition team. You will learn camp craft skills, become slick in kayak packing and learn some rudimentary expeditioning skills.

This trip is designed for paddlers used to comfortably paddling a minimum of 25km in a day, paddling some open crossings and are comfortable in wind conditions up to Beaufort force 5, tides up to and beyond 2 knots and changeable sea conditions. Paddlers need to be comfortable paddling ladened kayaks carrying enough supplies for several days. 

Kayak your way into one of Scotland’s most beautiful and less-travelled corners on a sea kayaking adventure around Raasay and Rona. Sitting between the Isle of Skye and the mainland, these islands offer a perfect mix of wild coastlines, quiet waters and proper get-away-from-it-all scenery.

As you paddle along Raasay’s shoreline, you’ll weave past rocky cliffs, sheltered bays and empty beaches, with plenty of chances to spot seals, seabirds and maybe even dolphins. Life slows down out here, and evenings are all about good company, coastal sunsets and the feeling of being somewhere truly remote.

Further north lies the uninhabited island of Rona — a real highlight of the trip. With no permanent residents, it’s a place of wide open spaces, abandoned settlements and incredible wildlife. Guided by experienced leaders, this expedition is about adventure without the rush — a chance to explore, unwind and enjoy Scotland at its wildest, from the best seat in the house: your kayak.

This trip is designed for paddlers used to comfortably paddling a minimum of 25km in a day and are comfortable in wind conditions up to Beaufort force 5, tides up to and beyond 2 knots and changeable sea conditions. Paddlers need to be comfortable paddling ladened kayaks carrying enough supplies for several days.