Wild Isles Sea Kayaking

Our final day of our Mull expedition saw us leave Ulva with a farewell from the bovine residents before heading back via cake and coffee at the Boathouse.

Suitably refeuled, we enjoyed the final downwind run back to our launch spot, enjoying the mix of sunshine and cloud on the mountains of Mull and watching a pair of sea eagles take off from a cliff as we paddled past!

It was great to explore these islands with a group of paddlers who were up for a challenge. I'm sure we'll be back many times in the coming years, as Mull and the surrounding islands have so much amazing coastline to explore!

A weather window with lighter winds and an easing of the swell meant that we could cross to Staffa on the fourth day of our Isle of Mull expedition.

After leaving Erraid and paddling north through the Sound of Iona, we readied ourselves for the 10km open crossing to Staffa, though a gentle tail wind meant this was a quick crossing.

Last time we were here two years ago the swell was too big to safely paddle into the cave so we were delighted that despite waves surging at the entrance and breaking at the back, we could head in with caution. As well as the visual spectacle, the sound of waves amplified by the cave is always astonishing. It was a real highlight for all of us to get to this spot with the right waves and weather!

On the third day of our Mull expedition we left the tents standing on Erraid and circumnavigated Iona.

A reasonable swell from the west provided plenty of excitement on the west coast while we enjoyed the feeling of unladen kayaks on a lively sea.

The second day of our recent Mull expedition saw us explore the northern shore of the Ross of Mull, into the Sound of Iona and onto the island of Erraid.

After setting up camp, we went for a circumnavigation of Erriad, including visiting the hanging rock. We were glad of the unladen boats when the tide hadn't quite reached the top of the causeway connecting the island.

A beach at the south side of the island provided an atmospheric place to experience the eclipse!

On our recent Isle of Mull expedition I was joined by a team of three strong paddlers up for a challenging 5-day expedition to include the islands of Inch Kenneth, Iona, Erraid, Staffa and Ulva.

Day one saw us launch under the slopes on Ben More and head south along the Burg peninsular, formed by lava flows from the volcanoes that formed the mountains of Mull, and shaped by glaciers and sea. Caves, inlets and waterfalls provided plenty to explore along the shores of the burg, before we found a spot to camp near Ardtun on the Ross of Mull, looking back over to the Burg.

I've just got back and have been reflecting on the most amazing time on Shetland, including three brilliant days on the water as part of the Kayak Symposium.

I've been inspired by the combination of truly stunning paddling, fascinating history, wildlife and the sheer abundance of places to explore to make this a place I'll come back to time and time again.

Amongst many highlights, I managed to squeeze in a trip around Mousa with my dad on our last day before heading back.

Huge thanks to Shetland Canoe Club for the invitation and for getting me there and back.

I've had a brilliant experience at Shetland Kayak Symposium with a wonderful weekend of paddling on Shetland's coastline and meeting friends old and new!

Huge thanks to all the organisers, coaches, assistants, participants, cake-makers and cooks who made the event so enjoyable.

I feel like I've just started to scratch the surface of paddling in Shetland so can't wait to come back for more!

We're off to Shetland for the Shetland Sea Kayak Symposium with Ferries!

Looking forward to meeting lots of new paddlers, seeing some old friends and enjoying some spectacular coastline.

On the fourth and final day of our recent expedition (route shown in yellow on the map) we set off from Puilladobrain on glassy seas and then worked our way south under the iconic Bridge Over the Atlantic. Trying to line up for a photo as the tide was flowing through the bridge provided plenty of entertainment!

The third day of our recent expedition (shown in blue on the map) saw us paddle across from our camp spot to Luing before heading north towards Cullipool. We weaved through the maze of islands south of Cullipool before stopping for a brilliant lunch at the Atlantic Islands Centre.

Refreshed and refueled, we headed north, past the historic slate mining island of Easdale and up to Puilladobhrain (the pool of the otter) to enjoy tea and cake in the shelter of our tarp while the rain increased.