Hike, Kayak and Wild Camp the Isle of Skye
Paddle and ramble your way along the wild coast, hidden lochs and iconic peaks of Scotland's revered 'Misty Isle'
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, certified kayak & mountain guidesWild camping
4 nights wild campingMeals
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinnersTransfers
Minibus transfers between Inverness and the Isle of SkyeEquipment
All your kayaking, camping and safety equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 6 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Sea kayak along Skye's breathtaking southern coastline – eyes peeled for whales, seals, basking sharks, sea eagles and otters
Clamber up Sgurr Na Stri on a magnificent hike for staggering views across the Cuillins and Loch Coruisk
Circumnavigate Soay – an island populated by just three hardy souls – exploring sheltered lochs and secret caves
Pitch your tent in remote spots and enjoy a wee dram around the campfire, savouring the majesty of the Scottish Highlands
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to the Scottish Highlands
Kayaking
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 in the crystal clear Mermaid's Pool (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.
Day 2
Circumnavigate and camp on a wild island
Kayaking
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, outcrops and a sea cave which was once a hiding place for Bonnie Prince Charlie, 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'. The island is nestled at the foot of the majestic Cuillin Mountains and makes for a captivating circumnavigation. Find a secluded spot to pitch your tent for a memorable night wild camping on Soay.
Day 3
Loch Coruisk and the Black Cuillin
Kayaking
Wake up in this surreal spot, grab a coffee and continue exploring Soay's ever-changing coastline of cliffs, bays, arches and caves. Once your circumnavigation is complete, bid the island farewell, 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.
Day 4
Reach for the summit of a Skye mountain
Hiking
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 along Loch Na Creitheach, before starting to steadily climb towards the summit of Sgurr Na Stri (494m). Although not a munro like its well-known neighbour, Blà Bheinn (Blaven), this mountain provides a good challenge – the vistas from the top are incomparable. The summit is a staggeringly scenic spot with an unparalleled panorama across the Cuillins, Loch Coruisk 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.
Please note that depending the collective abilities of the group and the weather conditions on this day, there will be an alternative route available should it be necessary to change plans. Any changes will be discussed and agreed as a group.
Day 5
The final stretch to the finish line
Kayaking
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.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Inverness City Centre
08:30 on Day 1
Ends
Inverness City Centre
Approximately 15:00 on Day 5
Transfers
You’ll meet your host in central Inverness at 08:30 on Day 1. You will then be transferred by minibus (2.5 to 3 hrs) to the start point on the Isle of Skye. We recommend you arrive in Inverness the night before to ensure that you do not miss your transfer. Your trip will end in Inverness mid-afternoon on the final day, depending on traffic and weather conditions coming back from the Isle of Skye.
Travel options
Regular trains run to Inverness from across the UK. There is also the option of the Caledonia Sleeper Train.
The nearest airport is Inverness and there are direct flights here from all over the UK. Please note if you are flying, you will need to arrive in Inverness the night before in order to make the start time on Day 1.
There are buses available to Inverness from Glasgow and Edinburgh: Citylink and Megabus offer regular services.
For those driving, there is a long-stay public car park in central Inverness which is within walking distance of the meeting point, which we recommend using.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll tuck into fresh, quality, tasty meals throughout the expedition. For breakfast, there'll be cereal or porridge with various toppings, as well as hot drinks. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a whole host of tasty fillings, fruit and some treats to keep you going. At dinner time you can expect to refuel after an active day with a three-course meal – starters might include Scottish smoked salmon, patés and oatcakes; main courses will include fresh ingredients like fish, meats and vegetables; dessert could be strawberries and clotted cream with shortbread, or cake and custard. Snacks and drinks will also be available between meals.
Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be catered for, please just request this in advance on your passenger info form.
Please note that lunch on Day 1 and Day 5 will be at your own expense, when you stop at a shop or café en route between the east and west coasts.
What is the accommodation like?
Wild Camp
You will wild camp in single or twin-share tents in remote and beautiful spots, by loch-sides and on beaches. Accommodation is basic, but the remote locations far make up for the lack of facilities. Single tents are available upon request, at no extra cost. There is no phone signal for sections of this trip, and no public toilets at all. On most trips, your host provides a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own personal space, you can request your own private tent on the trip (subject to availability). Just request when booking.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You need to have some previous sea kayaking experience, as you will be exploring some remote areas and may encounter some lumpy sea conditions. We suggest a minimum of three days sea kayaking experience in the past (for example, if you have been on a Much Better Adventures trip with multiple sea kayak days previously, this will be enough). Additional training will be provided during the expedition, while on the water. A generally good level of fitness will be required. Building some arm strength before the trip will help with sea kayaking, and good hip mobility is needed both for paddling and hiking. The precise difficulty level of this trip depends on the sea conditions at the time, which can change quickly, but you should come prepared to encounter some waves. You will be in a single kayak by default: however, if perhaps you don't have a lot of kayaking experience or aren't confident paddling solo and would prefer a tandem kayak, this can be requested with your host. These are subject to availability and dependent upon someone else being happy to paddle tandem with you. Please request this on your booking form.
What will I need to carry?
You'll be carrying all of your gear with you on the expedition. At the put-in spot at Loch Slapin on Day 1, you'll be given either a 40-litre dry bag or 2 x 20-litre dry bags to pack all of your gear for the kayaks. Please ensure that your personal kit (including your sleeping bag) fits into a 40-ltr bag. You'll only need a small daypack to carry with you on the hike on Day 4, as the rest of your gear can be left back at the camp spot to return to at the end of the day.
The Scottish summer is usually warm but you can expect some rain, even if it's just a little. Prepare for anything and think ‘layers'. Conditions in May and September will be slightly cooler, with the potential for frost at night. Kit-wise, the main thing is a warm sleeping bag, and an additional bag liner if you feel the cold more.
Fantastic trip.. The weather added
Fantastic trip.. The weather added some spice to the trip some days.. Scott was a great guid severed some beautiful food and didn’t disappoint with the routes taken.
A really enjoyable trip in a beautiful part of the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. I loved the challenge of kayaking in different conditions while spotting wildlife. It was such a privilege to see dolphins and otters in their natural environment.
Scott was an incredible (and very patient) guide. I’m still amazed at the delicious food he produced in a wild camping environment!
For people who love the outdoors and want to experience the beauty of Scotland, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this holiday. In fact, I will probably be booking another one myself!
Amazing adventure!
The 5 days on and around the Isle of Skye were a magical experience! The scenery is simply incredible and the trip was really fun. Scott, our guide, was very competent and attentive and was able to quickly adapt the trip to weather conditions, so that we could enjoy the full experience in safety. Not to mention his incredible cooking skills! I could not recommend this trip more. It is a real opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of every day life.
Amazing adventure
I had a brilliant time on this trip, brilliant combination of kayaking and camping, the guides were friendly and cooked us brilliant food, I would definitely recommend it for anyone
Amazing experience in Skye
This was my first trip with MBA and also my first experience of wild camping and kayaking in Scotland and it was beyond my expectations. The itinerary is fantastic with beautiful views and campsites. The trip was really well organized with all the necessary kayaking and camping equipment provided and our guide Scott was very knowledgeable in addition to being a great cook! The kayaking parts can be challenging due to the Scottish weather (expect some wind and rain!), but the tandem kayak we used felt very safe even though we had no extensive kayaking experience prior to the trip. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors and Scotland!
Itinerary Activities
- Guided kayaking in Loch Slapin, via Spar Cave and Mermaid's Pool
- Guided kayaking to circumnaviate the Isle of Soay
- Guided kayaking to Loch Coruisk and Camasunary Beach
- Guided hike to summit Sgurr Na Stri (494m)
- Guided kayaking along the Skye coastline to Elgol
Guides
- Expert, local, certified guides
Accommodation
- 5 nights wild camping by beautiful lochs or beaches
Meals
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 4 hot breakfasts
- 3 hearty lunches
- 4 three-course dinners
Transfers
- Group transfer from Inverness city centre to Skye on Day 1
- Group transfer from Skye to Inverness city centre on Day 5
- All transfers during the trip
Equipment
- All kayaking gear and safety equipment
- Everything you'll need for camping, except your sleeping bag (available to hire)
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point. This trip begins in central Inverness, see the 'Getting There' section for more information.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
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 (these are not suitable for hiking)
- 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 - 3/4 Season - it can get chilly in Scotland (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 and trousers (for the hike and the evenings in camp)
- 1 set of paddling clothes (lightweight, quick-dry trousers, woolly socks, base layer top, t-shirt or shirt)
- 1 set of hiking clothes (wool, synthetic layers, quick drying)
- Kayaking footwear - sturdy neoprene boots with robust soles for walking on rocky shorelines. Alternatively, sturdy shoes that you don't mind getting wet and some good neoprene socks to wear inside. Your feet will definitely get wet, and potentially cold depending on the weather.
- Pyjamas if required (most sleep in a set of thermals or similar)
- Fleece x 2 (1 for paddling, 1 for the evening)
- Walking, walking Boots (for the hike and for the evenings in camp)
- 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 hat and gloves for the hike
- Peaked Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses (ideally with a retainer or protective case)
- Spare socks and underwear
- Sun cream/lip salve/after sun
- Midge head net and midge repellent (June to September)
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable shower gel/soap
- Small-medium microfibre travel towel
- Swimming costume if you're up for a wild 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 (1L minimum)
- Personal hand sanitiser
- Your favourite snacks if you think you'll need them.
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!
Sleeping Bag Hire
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping Bag Hire
… Per Person
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 50kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Our host uses a variety of sea kayaks for our expeditions. All are designed for this purpose, so are comfortable, well-suited to the conditions found on the West Coast and have plenty of space for stowing equipment and personal belongings.
Our host primarily uses Venture Easky solo kayaks, which are aimed more at beginner to intermediate paddlers, as they are stable and easy to control. Also used on occasion are P&H Scorpios, but these are more technical boats, for intermediate to advanced paddlers. These boats are better adapted to more challenging conditions and more experienced paddlers. Finally, our host also has a selection of tandem kayaks including a Sea Bear Packhorse, which is a great boat to paddle in, with lots of storage space, and great stability, for those that need a little more assurance on the water.
The Scottish coast can be hit by bad weather at any time of year, even in summer, and if a big swell or storm comes in from the south the sea conditions in the area for this trip can become too dangerous to head out on the kayaks. Generally, the southern coastline of Skye is more protected than the western and northern coastline, so this gives the itinerary a strong chance of being feasible throughout the season. However, your host has a huge amount of experience running trips all over Scotland, and will have various back-up plans in place if the conditions get too bad. In the worst case scenario, you may head to a different part of the West Coast of Scotland, such as the Summer Isles further north. Although every effort will be made to avoid this eventuality, sometimes the weather gods will force the decision.
Midges are very tiny winged flies, often found in Northern Scotland between May and October when conditions are damp, humid and warmish. While they don’t have a great reputation, they generally aren’t as bad as they are made out to be: they can be an annoyance, but they don’t carry any diseases. So they're pretty harmless, apart from a small itchy red bite.
They don't like direct sunlight and they can’t fly in anything more than a light wind, so on very sunny or breezy days you're unlikely to be bothered by them. They also don’t like open water, so sea kayaking is a great way to avoid midges!
There are preventative measures you can take if you do find there are some midges around. Wear white or light-coloured clothing – midges are drawn to dark colours. Use a repellent, such as Smidge (a DEET-free insect repellent developed in Scotland) – Avon's Skin So Soft is also often recommended as an effective deterrent. Antihistamine creams or tablets will help with any itchy bites. Whilst midges are so small that they can pass through a mosquito net, you can buy 'midge-proof' head nets made with a fine mesh that will keep them away.
Whilst outdoor toileting is all part of a wilderness adventure, it can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment if not practiced carefully. To avoid this, on most trips, your host provides a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available. Not only does this help to minimise impact on the countryside, but many adventurers find it a bit more comfortable! For those who have periods, we have also written this handy guide, to help you manage these whilst on adventures.
For comfort and safety reasons, unfortunately we are not able to accommodate people over 18 stone (110 kilos) on this trip. If you have questions regarding this, please speak to our customer experience team.
Absolutely! We recognise that you may want to leave some of the luggage you bring to Scotland somewhere safe before you start your expedition. You will be able to leave any non-essential items you don’t want to take on the boat with you at our host's local base.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday 18th May 2025
to Thursday 22nd May 2025
Early Bird Offer - Next 4 spots available at 5% off
