Hike, Kayak and Wild Camp the Isle of Skye

Meet up with your host in Inverness, your gateway to the Highlands. Hit the road for a 2.5-hour drive through gorgeous scenery, passing famous sights such as Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle, featured in the Highlander movie. Cross over the Skye Bridge on to the Isle of Skye and continue to the Strathaird Peninsula, stopping at Broadford for a quick bite to fuel your paddling spirit and pick up your gear for the expedition. In the afternoon, you'll launch into sheltered Loch Slapin, where a gentle paddle will unveil a coastline sculpted by nature's artistry. Cracks, fissures, and caves dot the rugged landscape as you explore. The highlight of this area will be a visit to the Spar Cave, a subterranean realm bathed in an ethereal glow where you can wild swim (if you dare brave the icy waters!). Another hour's paddle takes you to the first wild camp spot. Pitch up, get the fire going and settle in for dinner and a campout in the Scottish wilds.

Tuck into breakfast, break down camp, load up the kayaks and hit the water for a full day exploring the southern Skye coastline. Paddle past headlands and outcrops before gliding past the secluded hamlet of Elgol, a charming village nestled amidst the rugged landscape. If sea conditions allow, you'll venture into open waters to reach the Isle of Soay, a remote island renowned for its unique breed of hardy sheep – and a population of three even hardier humans. The name ‘Soay’ comes from an old Norse word that literally means 'sheep island'. Soay is nestled at the foot of the majestic Cuillin Mountains and makes for a captivating circumnavigation with its ever-changing coastline of cliffs, bays, arches and caves. Find a secluded spot to pitch your tent for a memorable night wild camping on Soay.

Wake up in this surreal spot, grab a coffee and bid farewell to the Isle of Soay, crossing back to the coastline of Skye. The focus of your journey shifts to the awe-inspiring Black Cuillin Mountains – one of the UK's most challenging mountaineering terrains. Hug the shoreline with the imposing peaks of the Cuillin Ridge dominating the landscape. Keep a watchful lookout for golden and white-tailed eagles en route to the entrance to Loch Coruisk, a glacial lake that harbours a captivating legend. Loch Coruisk is said to be the abode of a kelpie, a mischievous water horse that can shapeshift into human form. Tread carefully, adventurers! After lunch, a leisurely 4km paddle takes you to Camasunary Beach, where you'll set up basecamp for the next two nights. This secluded beach provides a tranquil setting nestled in the raw beauty of this part of Scotland.

Grab an early morning dip in the bracing Atlantic this morning, if you fancy (absolutely optional, of course!) before swapping your kayak for your hiking boots. Hike towards the Cuillin Mountains to the base of Blà Bheinn (929m), a magnificent Munro peak that stands as an outlier from the main Cuillin Ridge. This is one of the best day hikes in Skye, if not all of Scotland. A steady and at times steep ascent with over 900m of elevation gain to eat into leads you all the way to the summit, which requires stamina and determination to reach. Blà Bheinn is a staggeringly scenic spot with unparalleled panoramic views of the Cuillins, neighbouring mountains and Scotland's rugged west coast. Descend back down the mountain, eventually reaching camp where you can enjoy sunset before gathering around the campfire for your final night. Raise a glass of Talisker whisky, a spirit distilled just 10 miles away from your camp spot, adding a touch of Scottish warmth to the farewell celebration tonight.

Bid farewell to this epic camp spot and stunning surroundings, packing down and completing the journey with a leisurely paddle back to Elgol village. The van waits here ready to whisk you away from the shores of Skye and back to Inverness. Along the way you'll stop at a café or local shop for a final bite to savour the flavours of Scotland. Your host will drop you off in the town centre with a heartfelt farewell after a glorious time in the wilds. Please note that traffic or weather conditions may cause delays today, so it's advisable to avoid booking onward travel from Inverness until 17:00 at the earliest.

What's included?

• Tent
• Inflatable sleeping mat
• Cutlery, mug, bowl, plate
• Buoyancy aid
• 2 x 20 litre dry bags for personal kit
• Kayaking waterproof jacket, trousers
• Neoprene shoes (on request only - let the host know in advance)

Please let your host know an indication of size for the waterproof clothing: either an extra small, small, medium, large or extra large. An approximate guess will do.

Available to Hire

• Sleeping Bag - see Optional Extras.

What do I need to bring?

• Sleeping bag (must be in a compression sack to make it as small as possible to fit in the kayak)
• Sleeping bag liner (if required, for extra warmth)
• Waterproof jacket for the evenings in camp
• 2 sets of paddling clothes (lightweight, quick-dry trousers, woolly socks, base layer top, t-shirt or shirt)
• Pyjamas if required (most sleep in a set of thermals or similar)
• Fleece x 2 (1 for paddling, 1 for the evening)
• Trainers for evenings (ideally water resistant)
• 1 set of warm evening clothes (in the hope of having a campfire some nights, so take old clothes that you don’t mind getting smoky and dirty)
• Warm gloves, depending on the time of year
• Warm hat
• Sun hat
• Spare socks and underwear
• Sun cream/lip salve/sunglasses with a protective case
• Midge head net and midge repellent (June to September)
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable shower gel/soap
• Small-medium microfibre travel towel
• Swimming costume if you fancy a swim
• Torch (preferably head torch)
• Small day sack for waterproofs, snacks, sun cream etc.
• Camera (in a waterproof bag if necessary)
• Power bank/solar charger
• Water bottle
• Personal hand sanitiser

Please note that cotton and denim clothing are not recommended for paddling in, as they have no thermal properties when wet.

Bear in mind when packing - all your personal kit, including sleeping bag and part of a tent, will need to fit in the kayak. Please ensure that your personal kit (including your sleeping bag) fits in a 40ltr bag or 2 x 20ltr dry bags, these will be provided for you to use. If you like to snack, please pack your own light snacks - but remember, they must fit in the bag!