Intro to Wild Camping and Sea Kayaking Expedition in Lochcarron

We’ve been running sea kayaking and mountaineering trips since 1995, based in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Whether you're exploring the Dalmatian Islands, the fjords of Canada and Norway, or learning mountain skills on Skye, our adventures are led by experienced, qualified guides who live and work locally. This means you’ll benefit from deep knowledge of the terrain, conditions, and culture - no matter which trip you choose. We focus on low-impact, high-quality experiences that blend technical learning with unforgettable landscapes. Our trips include flexible options—from fully inclusive packages with fresh, homemade food to ‘trip only’ formats to suit different budgets. We also provide kayak sales and rentals for independent paddlers, and we run our overseas trips with the same staff who guide in Scotland, maintaining consistent safety and values across the board. With local partnerships, environmental responsibility, and routes built around the best conditions, we offer more paddling days, better weather windows, and the kind of experiences you’ll remember for years.

Enjoy a long weekend sea kayaking through the scenic lochs and islands of the North West Highlands. This beginner-friendly wild camping expedition is designed to ease you into the essentials of kayaking, build your confidence on the water, and give you a taste of expedition life with an overnight camp on a remote beach. Choose from self-catered or fully inclusive options to suit your style and budget.

Key Details

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (Saturday–Monday)
Experience level: Beginners and early intermediates welcome
Instructor ratio: 1:6
Options: Self-catered, food provided, or fully inclusive with accommodation

Key Skills

Paddle control and boat handling
Expedition planning and packing
Camp setup and safety
Understanding weather and tidal conditions
Navigation basics for sea kayaking

What to Expect

Day one begins with a comprehensive introduction to sea kayaking. You’ll start on calm, sheltered waters, learning basic paddle strokes, edging, and how to handle your kayak confidently. The afternoon is dedicated to building on those skills with short paddling journeys, allowing plenty of time to practice while enjoying views of the surrounding coastline. There's also a session on planning and preparation for the expedition phase, including what kit to take, safety considerations, and how to pack effectively.

On day two, you'll head out on the expedition, usually exploring the Kishorn Islands or the sandy inlets around Plockton and the Strome Narrows. These areas are well-suited for beginners but still feel remote and wild, offering sightings of seals and seabirds along the way. After a night camping by the sea, you'll paddle back on day three, rounding off the trip with time to reflect and relax on the return leg. The fully inclusive option includes hearty homemade meals and comfortable guesthouse accommodation before and after the expedition. For those on the self-catered plans, local campsite or hostel accommodation can be arranged independently.

Location

This trip is based out of Lochcarron in the heart of the North West Highlands. The kayak base is easily accessible from the village and sits at the edge of a tidal sea loch, surrounded by dramatic peaks and island-strewn waters. The sheltered nature of Lochcarron, along with nearby Loch Kishorn and Loch Torridon, means paddling is possible in a wide range of weather conditions.

The surrounding area offers excellent local services including the Lochcarron Bistro, Spar shop, cafés, and quality accommodation options. Nearby villages like Applecross and Shieldaig provide additional choices if you prefer staying outside Lochcarron, but please factor in driving times to the kayak base. Trains to Strathcarron and airport transfers to Inverness are available if you’re travelling without a car.

Accommodation

The fully inclusive option includes three nights in a local guesthouse with all meals except your arrival evening. Meals on the expedition are freshly prepared and homemade, including our well-loved cake recipes. For trip-only guests, there are several B&Bs, self-catering cottages, and campsites nearby.

Options include Castle Cottage, the Hartfield Lodge Hostel, and campsites in Shieldaig or Applecross. All are within easy reach of Lochcarron’s shops and eateries.

Prerequisites

No prior kayaking experience is required, though you should be reasonably fit and comfortable being outdoors for extended periods. The trip is suitable for complete beginners and those who have paddled a little before but want to gain confidence and learn essential skills for expedition paddling.

Participants will need to be able to carry their own kit during loading and unloading, and must be willing to camp overnight in a remote coastal location with minimal facilities.

Why Choose Us

The guides on this trip are full-time locals, living and working in the Highlands year-round. Their local knowledge of weather, tides, wildlife and culture ensures every expedition is safe, informative and personal. You'll gain more than just paddling skills—expect to come away with a real sense of connection to the area.

By offering both Fully Inclusive and Trip Only options, the experience remains flexible and accessible. Guests are treated to freshly prepared meals with locally inspired dishes and homemade cakes, adding a comforting touch to the expedition. With sheltered sea conditions and free transfers from Strathcarron rail station, it’s easy to reach and ideal for maximising your time on the water.

Fully Inclusive

All instruction and guiding
All kayaking equipment
All local transport
Three nights guesthouse accommodation
All meals on expedition and at guesthouse (excluding arrival night)

Trip Only - Self Catered (BYO Food)

All instruction and guiding
All kayaking equipment
All local transport

Trip Only - Food Provided (Expedition only)

All instruction and guiding
All kayaking equipment
All local transport
All meals on expedition only

Fully Inclusive

Personal insurance
Dinner on arrival night
Travel to Strathcarron or Lochcarron

Trip Only - Self Catered (BYO Food)

Personal insurance
All food and drink
Accommodation on non-expedition nights
Transport to and from the meeting point

Trip Only - Food Provided (Expedition only)

Personal insurance
Accommodation on non-expedition nights
Food on non-expedition nights
Transport to and from the meeting point

Not at all. This trip is designed for beginners or those with very limited sea kayaking experience. The first day focuses entirely on helping you get comfortable in the kayak and learning the essential skills you’ll need for the overnight expedition. Everything is taught at a relaxed pace with plenty of guidance.

By the end of day one, you’ll have gone through basic paddle strokes, how to handle your kayak, and what to do in case of a capsize. Confidence and safety are prioritised, so you’ll feel ready and well-supported before heading out to camp on day two.

The Fully Inclusive option includes all accommodation, meals, equipment, guiding and transport. You’ll stay in a guesthouse before and after the wild camp night, with meals provided throughout (except on your arrival evening). It’s an easy, hands-off option where everything is taken care of.

The Trip Only options are more flexible. You can either self-cater entirely or choose to have food provided for the wild camp night only. These are great if you’re local or already have accommodation sorted in Lochcarron or nearby. You’ll still get full instruction, guiding, equipment and local transport during the expedition.

The specific wild camping location varies depending on weather, tides and group ability, but typically you’ll paddle out to a quiet beach or small island within Loch Carron, Loch Kishorn, or Loch Torridon. These areas are known for their sheltered conditions, making them ideal for a beginner expedition.

Expect a peaceful, scenic setting with few or no other people around. The aim is to give you a real sense of being in the wild while still staying within a safe and accessible distance from our kayak base. We always follow ‘leave no trace’ principles to protect the local environment.

Meals during the expedition are homecooked using fresh, locally sourced ingredients where possible. You can expect hearty breakfasts, packed lunches for the paddling day, and warming evening meals at the camp. Fresh cake often makes an appearance too.

If you opt for the Fully Inclusive option, meals at the guesthouse are also included (apart from your arrival night). The food is prepared by people who understand outdoor energy needs, so you’ll be well fed throughout the experience without needing to think about it.

You’re welcome to bring your own kayak and personal kit, but we recommend using the provided equipment, especially if you're a beginner. The gear we use is chosen specifically for this environment and is well-maintained to suit a wide range of ability levels.

If you prefer to use your own, we’ll need to check it for suitability and safety when you arrive. It’s also a good idea to make sure it’s set up for sea conditions, as not all kayaks are appropriate for open water paddling or carrying overnight gear.

Trips are designed around the generally sheltered waters of the Inner Sound, meaning we can often paddle even when conditions elsewhere in Scotland wouldn’t allow it. The geography of the area gives us multiple fallback options depending on wind direction and sea state.

In very poor weather, we may adjust the itinerary to stay closer to base or substitute a wild camp with a supported day trip. Safety is always the priority, and our guides are experts at reading local conditions to make the best possible call.