Sea Kayaking – The Scottish Highlands

Pre-Trip Service
We went on the 5 night/6 day kayaking trip w/Miles & Crayson. Both Miles and Crayson were so impressive. Their ying & yang was perfect. This was a trip of a life time and perfect in every way. We lucked out and had an awesome group of people to share this adventure with. I love the way Miles gave us daily choices. I woke up the 2nd morning not feeling well which escalated in to having to take a couple days off as not to spread my germs to others. Miles was very good about this. No pressure at all. His knowledge is remarkable and he is an amazing leader, guide and host. A real gem in the rough. Us being a group of new kayakers he was patient with us and listened to our concerns. If there was one thing I would have changed would have been have a hiking day in the middle of the trip to give everyone a break from the boats. I also understand weather has a lot to do w/our schedule too. All in all I want to come back and do this trip again when I am not sick. A big Thanks You to Miles, Crayson & Wilderness Scotland for making this one of the best Birthday gifts from my hubby ever. Wish you all much Peace, Love and Happiness.

Trip Comments
Highlight for me was getting to paddle w/a scag. This was new for me and took some getting use to. I enjoyed seeing all the wildlife great and small.

Accommodation and Food
Nothing to improve with your choice of lodging at Torradon Inn or the food. I have a special diet that was accommodated for perfectly. Thanks

Your Guide
Miles you are more than impressive with your knowledge and your love of sharing it w/others. I went away with a whole lot more knowledge than I came in with. Thank You Crayson, you are a charm to be around. Your easy going professional nature is refreshing to be around. You made me feel very comfortable and not intimidating at all. I wish you the best in your new chapter.

The Bottom Line
From their first email to the final hugs good-bye to our Guides this whole experience was perfect in every way. The first impression comes with the sign up for the trip. Wilderness Scotland's professionalism in communication was appreciated. The information we received for the trip we signed up for was spot on right down to the midge net. Our meeting w/our guide & group at the train station was warm and we instantly felt welcomed. The week was amazing and the experience was more than I could ever have imagined. I am looking forward to a return trip. Thank you Wilderness Scotland.

Pre-Trip Service
The link to the wevpage about fitness preparation for the trip was not very obvious. It took me a while to come across it.

Trip Comments
An early discussion with each member of the group, about prior experience in the main activities, would have been good.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodatiob and food were very good, as expected for the trip price.

Your Guide
As mentioned before, a conversation with each member of the group, about any prior experience in the main activities, would have been good. Also better structured instructions for absolute beginners. Some of the basic advice was given very hastily. Also challenges were not gradual. For example, launch in day two was quite challenging, but day four much easier. Most of the group coped fibe but I struggled and gave up kayaking in day two, but could have managed day four.

The Bottom Line
An enjoyable trip with a good group of guides and fellow travellers.

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments
There were things that I did not know until I actually did the trip; that is,I could not have foreseen. That the kayak would be quite different from the kayak I had had such a good experience with in the past. Also I would not have classified this trip beginner. However if I were much younger it might have been perceived as such! Given the adjustments I had to make, apart from a lot of shoulder and arm pain I had a wonderful time. The scenery and wildlife and being on the water were an awesome experience.

Accommodation and Food
All the restaurants were excellent. Torridon inn was lovely, friendly, comfortable and with a great atmosphere.

Your Guide
I thought the way Myles and Craydon worked together was very lovely. Both were excellent.
We had, I thought, a particularly good group who were supportive and helpful and I certainly appreciated all the lifting and carrying the men did.

The Bottom Line
Ask a lot of questions about trips to make sure the level is right for you before you sign up.

Pre-Trip Service
Excellent pre-trip advice on kit required for what was my first kayak holiday

Trip Comments
Excellent trip - exceeded my expectations. Hugely impressed with the professionalism of the guide(s) and their knowledge of the local wildlife, environment, flora and fauna. Also the kit provided by WS was excellent.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodation was ideal - comfortable with a large ensuite and (most important) oodles of hot water. Food in the hotel and the various pubs we eat at was excellent as were the packed lunches.

Your Guide
our guides (Myles & Crayston) were excellent. They offered us a range of routes to suit our abilities and managed to provide options that suited everyone. Having 2 vehicles so that we could extend our routes without retracing our steps was a real boon. The places we visited were really interesting and the knowledge of the guides on the wildlife, geology, flora and fauna made the trips even more interesting.

The Bottom Line
Exceeded my expectations

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation and Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service
the answer to the original email I sent was nice but not very helpful but since I called before receiving it, the service over the phone was excellent

Trip Comments
the longer paddle from Applecross was absolutely wonderful

Accommodation and Food
the staff at the Torridon Inn was nice but a bit aloof.

Your Guide
they we fabulous and excellent at finding activities for a group with different kayaking experience and abilities

The Bottom Line
excellent trip and a very pleasant way to discover the kayaking potential of the Scottish Highlands

Pre-Trip Service
Easy, no fuss, competent and friendly people

Trip Comments
Every single day of paddling was a highlight itself, being on the water in such an amazing environment with like-minded people. The one day hiking - it was a blowy day - was a new experience for me and some of my muscles in my upper leg, but I loved it.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodation was great, food was really good. I was surprised to learn, that Scottish people sometimes add "a dram" (whisky) to their porridge, I was too faint-hearted to give it a try. Maybe next year.

Your Guide
Craig and Lucy are excellent guides for outdoor trips, both well-trained, knowledgeable, attentive, and enjoying the experience themselves and never ever hesitating a moment to go the extra mile to make this trip to a wonderful experience for everybody. Just one example of many: They organized spontaneously a double kayak for two participants to make the paddling more comfortable for them, even so they had to bike nearly two hours to Applecross in the morning (and evening) to make it happen. Lucy is such an inspiring blithe spirit, you feel immediately cheerful in her presence. And her competence makes you feel safe and secure all the time. Craig is very skilled, attentive and interested in peoples perspectives and experiences. He is able to identify the right amount of adventure/challenge for everybody and also radiates a sense of calm to create a relaxed atmosphere.

The Bottom Line
This was my third set kayak trip with Wilderness Scotland, I loved each one of these trips and will do one next year again. Every guide I met was truly excellent, well-trained and knowledgable and made with his or her personality the trip special and inspiring in different ways. Food and accommodation is always brilliant, has been this year again. The locations to paddle are stunningly beautiful, always, because the guides know exactly which area to choose under which conditions. This year I choose an introduction course (even so I am quite experienced) because I wanted to accompany a good friend of mine. My friend was worried, I might get bored in an introduction course, but I was sure I would not. And I was right! The guides are so incredibly skilled that they manage to make the trip an inspiring experience for everybody and last but not least, sea kayaking in such well chosen, amazing landscapes and scenery is marvelous.

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation and Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service
Pleased with how we were kept readily informed about our trip with all the info we needed in plenty of time.

Trip Comments
Guides couldn't have been better. Accommodated everyone to ensure we all had a good time and weren't pushed beyond our limits. Other members of the group were great fun to be with, all bonding well. One laugh after another!

Accommodation and Food
Good accommodation. Slight TV and shower issues but were sort of solved. Breakfast could've been earlier. Staff excellent and good food. Wonderful location. Rooms lovely and clean, spacious and tasteful.

Your Guide
Couldn't have been better. Excellent. Friendly, informative, fun and very accommodating ensuring each of us had a great time and weren't pushed beyond our limits. 11/10!

The Bottom Line
Excellent everything - organisation, guides, activities and other group members. A trip to remember. Second holiday with WS and will certainly choose them first when looking for a similar break.

Pre-Trip Service
Very helpful.

Trip Comments
Lucy and Craig were unceasingly patient enthusiastic and great company.

Accommodation and Food
There seemed to be a great deal of confusion around our bill at the Torridon.

Your Guide
Lucy and Craig are first rate guides: skilled , enthusiastic; patient and able to meet the needs of differing levels of skill/fitness. They are great company with the highest level of organisational skills.

The Bottom Line
This is my third Wilderness experience. I shall keep an eye open for further adventures. The professionalism of the guides and wider team is outstanding.