Castaway Weekend on a Remote Scottish Island

Need To Know

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Location

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This adventure takes place around the rugged west coast of Scotland. This region of Scotland is one of the least inhabited and wildest parts of the UK. During the trip, you will be staying on a remote island, the perfect place to practice your coastal survival skills. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife with several large seabird colonies nearby. Along your journey, you stand a good chance of seeing some of the regions charismatic marine mammals, maybe even some dolphins.

The seas around the west coast offer some of the best sailing in the British Isles. During the trip, you will be charting a course down the narrow sea channel separating the Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula known as the Kyles of Bute. The Kyles of Bute have been designated as a National Scenic Area and it is easy to see why, the scenery is diverse and spectacular with rolling moorland, mountains, forests, craggy coastline, islets and coves.

Start point

Scott’s Bar & Restaurant at Largs Marina - 10:00
Your adventure begins at Scott’s Bar & Restaurant with a safety briefing at 10:00. If you’re driving the postcode is KA30 8EZ. Alternatively, if you’re travelling by train you host can pick you up from Largs Train Station at 09:30 upon request.

Finish point

Largs Marina - 14:00
Your adventure ends at Largs Marina at 14:00. Your host can drop you off at Largs Train Station at 14:15 if requested.

What to Expect

Day 1: Arrive and Sail

Arriving at the marina, you’ll meet your local host and hop aboard their 43-foot yacht. After a quick safety briefing, it’s time to set sail on the five-hour voyage up the Kyles of Bute to a remote island where you will be spending the next few days.

Along the journey, you will have the opportunity to learn some sailing skills and work on your knot game. The coastal scenery along the route is some of the best in Scotland and there is also a good chance of spotting some charismatic marine mammals.

Once you reach the island, you’ll hope ashore and spend the rest of the day exploring your home for the next few days. You’ll spend some time building a camp on the shore and your guide will teach you some essential survival skills.

Day 2: Coastal Survival Training

After a seaside breakfast, it’s time to get stuck into your coastal survival skills training with your expert guide, and what better location to put your new skills into practice than a remote Scottish island.

During the day you will learn a great range of essential skills like foraging for wild food, building fires, finding fresh water, creating shelters, fishing skills, setting traps and preparing wild food. You will also have plenty of opportunity to put them into practice.

After a great day exploring and foraging around the island the it’s time to put your skills to the test preparing the days foraged food. After dinner, there is time to relax around the campfire, swopping stories and gazing up at the stars.

Day 3: Departure

Waking up in the fresh coastal air to the sound of the lapping waves in a hammock with nothing but a tarp above you is a magical experience. Take a moment to appreciate the view before wriggling out of your warm sleeping bag.

After another seaside breakfast it’s time to get back home and today, you will be leaving in style. Simulating a real survival situation, you’ll build a signal fire and await your rescue.

Help comes in the form of a high-speed rib speedboat. You’ll be whisked away on an exciting journey back to the marina where you’ll bid a fond farewell to your guides and fellow travelling companions.

Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.

Accommodation

During this adventure, you will be wild camping on the beach of a remote Scottish island using a hammock and tarpaulin. Waking up to the fresh sea breeze and the sound of the lapping waves is a memorable experience.