Trip created by Stevie Christie
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Region: North West Highlands
Trip Type: Canoeing
Accommodation: Wilderness Camping
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
Deposit From: £273.75 £273.75

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This challenging wilderness trip explores one of the most pristine natural areas of Scotland. We will journey into a remote region of lochs and mountains in the Northwest of the Scottish Highlands. Some days will be spent journeying in our canoes, paddling and portaging all our boats and gear from loch to loch. On other days we will remain in the same camp and hike up to the iconic peaks that surround us by wild and rarely hiked routes.

We will enjoy an inherently flexible itinerary and plan our trip day by day as we travel based on the conditions. This is a true wilderness trip, a long way from the nearest road or town and we are unlikely to meet other people during our adventure. At night we wild camp where we please on small islands and sandy coves, enjoying the spectacular views all around.

Trip Highlights

Explore the wildest parts of Inverpolly Nature Reserve in Scotland's remote north west.
Make an expedition by canoe, carrying everything we need for the duration of the trip.
Hike iconic peaks such as Stac Pollaidh.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Meet Inverness, transfer to Assynt

This morning we will meet in Inverness and then transfer north to Assynt and our put-in at Loch Sionascaig. After loading the boats with everything we need for the next two nights of adventure we take to the water and paddle to our island camp-site, surrounded by wild country and towering mountains. (L, D)

Day 2 – Hiking an Inverpolly peak

We’ll need our walking boots today as we hike to an amazing mountain viewpoint on one of the three hills surrounding Loch Sionascaig. Setting off from our island, a short paddle takes us back to the mainland. From here we set out on foot through wild terrain and start our ascent. No path – just heather, stone and wild raw landscape everywhere we look. We’re almost guaranteed to have the mountain to ourselves. After drinking in the views from the summit we return to our boats and paddle back to camp. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Paddle out and rest day

After breakfast, we pack up our camp and paddle back to the van. We transfer to the nearby village of Ullapool where we will settle in to our accommodation for the tonight before enjoying a relaxed afternoon wandering around the town or just gazing out across the surrounding views of mountains and lochs. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Journeying on Loch Maree

Departing Ullapool, we drive south to the shores of stunning Loch Maree. Once again we will load up the boats with all we need for two nights of wild camping and set off on the water. We’ll spend our day exploring among the dozens of islands that dot the loch, covered in beautiful forest. Your guide will tell you all about the amazing history of this beautiful loch – tales of Vikings, saints and lunatics and we’ll perhaps go looking for Scotland’s only island on a loch on an island on a loch. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Beinn Airigh Charr

We’ll need our boots again today! First, we cross Loch Maree to its remote shore eastern shore. Leaving the boats again we start hiking up through stunning wild forest before gaining the open hillside. We hike to the summit of Beinn Airigh Charr which stands on the boundaries of an area known as “The Great Wilderness”. The view from the summit is one of the best mountain scenes in all of Scotland. Once again we return by the way we came and paddle back to our camp for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Paddling on Loch Maree

After packing up camp we can enjoy a final paddle on Loch Maree before returning to the van. Once all is packed away we transfer a short distance to Gairloch where we will spend the final night in a comfortable guesthouse and enjoy a celebratory meal together. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Return to Inverness

On our final morning we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast and maybe a stroll on the beach at Gairloch before we start the drive back through the Highlands to Inverness, arriving early afternoon. (B, L)

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Open Canoeing

North West Highlands

To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2023	Availability	Status	Price	Book
15th Jul - 21st Jul 2023	1 place left	CONFIRMED	£1,095	Book Now
19th Aug - 25th Aug 2023	3 places left	CONFIRMED	£1,095	Book Now

Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

On this trip we wild camp in spectacular locations. These are often remote and hard to reach on foot alone, adding to their appeal. We provide tents and also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. Mid-trip we will spend a night in the wee village of Ullapool, and we will spend the final night in Gairloch. So you can enjoy a hot shower and comfy bed during the trip and before departing on the final morning.

Single Rooms

There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex when we stay in hotel accommodation at the mid and end of the trip. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £150 is charged.

Meals Read More: Great food is essential to all our trips and expeditions are no different. While the guide will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after long days. We will carry plenty of food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

Inclusions Read More

4 nights wild camping and 2 nights in B&B accommodation.
All meals, from lunch on day of arrival through to breakfast on day of departure. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing at Inverness Railway Station.
The services of at least one experienced and knowledgeable canoe guide / driver throughout your trip.
All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking/eating equipment and utensils. Please note that sleeping bags are not included but are available for hire.
All specialist open canoe equipment, including canoes and buoyancy aids.

Trip Grading Read More

Blue Graded 6

This trip combines canoeing and hillwalking. It is suitable for people with no previous experience in canoeing but a good level of fitness and hiking experience is required. This is a very physically demanding trip as we canoe on wild lochs, hike remote routes on rough ground, portage our boats from loch to loch and camp in wild terrain.

We will be active for up to 8 hours each day. The hikes will be mostly off-path and include ascending peaks up to 3000ft high over rough, boggy and bouldery terrain. The canoeing will be on flat-water lochs but this can be challenging in windy conditions and there may be small waves. We also have to carry or ‘portage’ all our boats and gear from loch to loch – an integral part of journeying by canoe.

Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Inverness Railway Station at 10:30am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Inverness Station for 2:00pm on the final day of the trip.

For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website.

If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

Speak to an Expert

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Chris Page

Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

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Meet Your Guide

Andy Hall
15th Jul - 21st Jul 2023

Emy McLeod
19th Aug - 25th Aug 2023

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Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Open Canoeing Holidays 4-6

Great Glen

This Blue graded canoeing trip is suitable for people with no previous canoeing experience, but a good level of fitness is required. We will be paddling for up to 7 hours each day on flat water lochs and canals, however in windy conditions it will be challenging and we will encounter small waves on the larger lochs.

River Spey Descent

This Blue graded canoeing trip is only suitable for people with some previous canoeing experience and a good level of fitness. Since we are paddling on moving river waters, including several more exciting rapids (up to Grade 2) competence steering the canoe is an essential skill from the beginning. You can expect up to 7 hours of paddling a day plus breaks.

North West Highlands

This Blue graded trip combines canoeing and hillwalking. It is suitable for people with no previous experience in canoeing but a good level of fitness and hiking experience is required. This is a very physically demanding trip as we canoe on wild lochs, hike remote routes on rough ground, portage our boats from loch to loch and camp in wild terrain.

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Trip Reviews

Rated 4.84 out of 5 based on 61 reviews of Open Canoeing – North West Highlands

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

Linda Hadcocks

Reviewed on 09/09/2022

Age: 60 - 70
Country: UK
Trip Date: 27/08/2022
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

I really enjoyed the trip which was similar to others I've done before with other companies. The scenery, paddling on secluded lochs, islands, walks and camp site views were stunning. I liked the 'eco' considerations but because of this, I felt we ended up carrying far more weight than necessary (glass jars, excess food and a tepee which we left behind as the ground would have been unsuitable anyway!). A basic shelter or better tarpaulin would have been adequate for shelter in the rain. Several basics were missing: matches, loo roll, washing up liquid, rubbish bags. The first portage was crazy; up and over a hill on a single-file, very muddy track with a wire fence. We found a better site coming back. It was much further but we could carry the boats and gear more easily and slide some along the grass. I found this bit the most challenging. I liked the hotel stops mid way and at the end which were a contrast to the wild camping and split the week nicely. Both had amazing views. Neil, our guide was first class and was unfazed by any issues that arose. If the supplies, first portage and menus could be sorted out, this trip would win an 'excellent' rating from me!

Chris Hughes

Reviewed on 20/08/2022

Age: 60 - 70
Country: UK
Trip Date: 30/07/2022
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Colin Hughes

Reviewed on 08/08/2022

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 30/07/2022
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

From the initial booking process to the final dropping off at our hotel everything was first class. An experience we will remember for it's challenges, fantastic views, great food, true wilderness camping, and great guides.

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Wilderness England

North West Highlands

Travel Planning & Advice

Trip Highlights

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Meet Inverness, transfer to Assynt

Day 2 – Hiking an Inverpolly peak

Day 3 – Paddle out and rest day

Day 4 – Journeying on Loch Maree

Day 5 – Beinn Airigh Charr

Day 6 – Paddling on Loch Maree

Day 7 – Return to Inverness

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Details

Single Rooms

Blue Graded 6

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Speak to an Expert

Chris Page

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Open Canoeing Holidays 4-6

North West Highlands

Trip Reviews

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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