Canoeing in North West Highlands
| country: | Scotland |
| location: | Scottish Highlands |
| trip type: | Small group adventure / moderate-strenuous walking holiday |
| departures: | 2010: 15 May, 23 May, 27 Jun, 17 Jul, 25 Jul, 11 Sep, 19 Sep |
| price: | From £495 - £595 (4 -7 days) excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Coast to Coast by Canoe - Canoeing Scotland's Great Glen
From £495 per person (5 days), 2010 departures: 23 May, 25 July, 19 September
This is a classic canoe journey from coast to coast through the spectacular loch and river system of the Great Glen, including canoeing in Loch Ness. The 5-day adventure begins just outside Fort William on the easy, sheltered water of the Caledonian Canal. We then journey through a series of amazing lochs before finishing at Inverness on the other side of Scotland! The trip is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness - no previous experience is required. As this trip just involves canoeing (no hiking!), it is graded 'moderate' and is a bit easier than the wilderness trips above. However, it is one of the classic canoe trips in Scotland and not be be missed!
Canoeing in the NW Highlands
From £595 per person (7 days), 2010 departures: 15 May, 17 July, 11 September
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.
From £495 per person (5 days), 2010 departures: 23 May, 25 July, 19 September
This is a classic canoe journey from coast to coast through the spectacular loch and river system of the Great Glen, including canoeing in Loch Ness. The 5-day adventure begins just outside Fort William on the easy, sheltered water of the Caledonian Canal. We then journey through a series of amazing lochs before finishing at Inverness on the other side of Scotland! The trip is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness - no previous experience is required. As this trip just involves canoeing (no hiking!), it is graded 'moderate' and is a bit easier than the wilderness trips above. However, it is one of the classic canoe trips in Scotland and not be be missed!
Canoeing in the NW Highlands
From £595 per person (7 days), 2010 departures: 15 May, 17 July, 11 September
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.
day-by-day itinerary
| 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 |
lower carbon travel
All of our trips start and finish at or close to railway stations, as this makes it much easier for our clients to travel to the Highlands by rail. We encourage travel by train or bus in all of our joining instructions that we send to clients, and also have a section on our website which includes links to train timetables and booking services to make it easier for clients to choose to travel by rail. 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 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Daily Telegraph, 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. |