Canoeing in North West Highlands
| country: | Scotland |
| location: | Scottish Highlands |
| trip type: | Small group adventure / moderate-strenuous walking holiday |
| departures: | 2008: 13 Sep |
| price: | From £325 - £549 (4 -7 days) excluding flights. |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Canoeing in the NW Highlands
From £549 (7 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
The Lochs and Mountains of Coigach and Assynt provide the spectacular landscape for this exciting expedition to the far North West of Scotland. This region is formed on some of the oldest rocks in Europe and, over the years, glacial action and weathering has left incredible peaks, which rise in splendid isolation from the expansive moorland. The first afternoon is spent learning the basic skills and techniques required to paddle your canoe.
In the evening of the first day, we paddle into the wilderness on a 6-day through-route expedition. We paddle into the heart of the Assynt via glacial lochs to remote campsites at the foot of isolated mountains. Spared the normal long walk in, we climb peaks such as 'Suilven' - Scotland's answer to the Matterhorn. Travelling by canoe has many advantages - no trudging along muddy paths on the approach to the hills, no heavy pack to carry. Instead, we paddle up the lochs, appreciating a new angle on the mountains before climbing them by alternative routes, carrying just a day-sack. With the boat taking all the weight, this allows for much finer dining than you would expect on an expedition (the lochs double as wine chillers!).
Using canoes to access remote mountains creates a real expedition flavour and a better appreciation of the wilderness. Gliding along the water with the sun glinting in your eyes, dramatic mountains rising sheer out of the moors to your side, heading towards an island campsite and a sunset campfire will be an experience you will long remember.
Moidart wilderness short break
From £495 (6 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
We also run a similar expedition through the Moidart wilderness. Please contact us for details.
River Spey Descent short break
From £325 (4 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
Alternatively, join us for an exciting short break where we journey down the River Spey near Aviemore. Beautiful scenery and some exciting rapids make this the perfect long weekend escape. Please contact us for details.
Great Glen Canoe Expedition
From £495 (6 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
This trip is an exciting 6 days canoeing across Scotland via the dramatic Great Glen and Loch Ness. The Great Glen is ever changing, so within this short trip you may encounter mirror calm water, big waves and some exciting sailing! Please contact us for more details.
New trip for 2008 - Open Canoeing Introduction Course
From £425 (4 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
Learn the essential skills required to paddle your own canoe! Experience canoeing on flat water, open lochs and rivers with some gentle rapids and enjoy exploring Perthshire's lochs and rivers, gaining a new perspective on this scenic corner of Scotland. Please contact us for more details.
From £549 (7 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
The Lochs and Mountains of Coigach and Assynt provide the spectacular landscape for this exciting expedition to the far North West of Scotland. This region is formed on some of the oldest rocks in Europe and, over the years, glacial action and weathering has left incredible peaks, which rise in splendid isolation from the expansive moorland. The first afternoon is spent learning the basic skills and techniques required to paddle your canoe.
In the evening of the first day, we paddle into the wilderness on a 6-day through-route expedition. We paddle into the heart of the Assynt via glacial lochs to remote campsites at the foot of isolated mountains. Spared the normal long walk in, we climb peaks such as 'Suilven' - Scotland's answer to the Matterhorn. Travelling by canoe has many advantages - no trudging along muddy paths on the approach to the hills, no heavy pack to carry. Instead, we paddle up the lochs, appreciating a new angle on the mountains before climbing them by alternative routes, carrying just a day-sack. With the boat taking all the weight, this allows for much finer dining than you would expect on an expedition (the lochs double as wine chillers!).
Using canoes to access remote mountains creates a real expedition flavour and a better appreciation of the wilderness. Gliding along the water with the sun glinting in your eyes, dramatic mountains rising sheer out of the moors to your side, heading towards an island campsite and a sunset campfire will be an experience you will long remember.
Moidart wilderness short break
From £495 (6 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
We also run a similar expedition through the Moidart wilderness. Please contact us for details.
River Spey Descent short break
From £325 (4 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
Alternatively, join us for an exciting short break where we journey down the River Spey near Aviemore. Beautiful scenery and some exciting rapids make this the perfect long weekend escape. Please contact us for details.
Great Glen Canoe Expedition
From £495 (6 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
This trip is an exciting 6 days canoeing across Scotland via the dramatic Great Glen and Loch Ness. The Great Glen is ever changing, so within this short trip you may encounter mirror calm water, big waves and some exciting sailing! Please contact us for more details.
New trip for 2008 - Open Canoeing Introduction Course
From £425 (4 days) ex flights. 2009: Please contact us for departure details
Learn the essential skills required to paddle your own canoe! Experience canoeing on flat water, open lochs and rivers with some gentle rapids and enjoy exploring Perthshire's lochs and rivers, gaining a new perspective on this scenic corner of Scotland. Please contact us for more details.
day-by-day itinerary
Please note:This itinerary is for the North West Highlands trip
| Day 1: | Inverness to Elphin & Loch Veyatie |
| Day 2: | Fionn Loch & ascent of Suilven |
| Day 3: | Fionn Loch to Loch Sionascaig |
| Day 4: | Loch Sionascaig & Cul Mor |
| Day 5: | Open boat canoeing in Loch Sionascaig and ascent of Cul Beag |
| Day 6: | Loch Sionascaig to Loch Buine Moire |
| Day 7: | Ullapool to Inverness |
travellers' tales
The highlight was the scenery, the lack of signs of any kind of civilisation as far as could be seen, the changing weather, being out in the weather and alive to it all the time. (more)
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Despite its beauty, the Highlands and Islands is one of the least affluent regions of Scotland. By bringing the benefits of tourism to this area and using local services and produce, we help to support local businesses, create employment and contribute to the overall sustainable development of the region.
This expedition, like all of our trips, operates on a strict 'leave no trace' policy. This concept will be explained by our guide at the start of the trip and practised throughout. All of our Scotland-based trips start at railway stations to encourage travel by rail to Scotland. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |