Join us for an unforgettable 5-day canoe expedition through the spectacular landscapes of the Outer Hebrides. This is a true wilderness journey, combining open-water crossings, sheltered sea paddling, and traditional canoe expedition skills in one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful environments.

Expect to paddle through some of the UK's most breathtaking coastal scenery, exploring white sandy beaches, rugged Atlantic shorelines, open moorland, dramatic mountains, and sheltered sea lochs. Along the way you'll be immersed in an incredible natural environment, with opportunities to encounter seals, otters, sea eagles, dolphins, and an abundance of seabirds.

We'll spend four nights camping, embracing the freedom and simplicity of expedition life. On arrival in Lochboisdale before the expedition, and again at the end of the trip, we recommend booking into the Kilbride Campsite just 15 minutes from the Ferry at Loch Boisdale. They have options for hostel rooms, campers and tents. The Hebrides can be a real mix of weather so Myself & Emy will almost certainly be booking into the hostel as this has an indoor communal space to relax and cook in a dry midge free zone!

This is a genuine canoe expedition where the journey is about much more than paddling alone. Throughout the week we'll use a variety of traditional canoe-tripping techniques, including paddling, sailing, lining, tracking, dragging, and portaging. Our guides will support you throughout, helping you develop these skills in real expedition conditions. Whether you're looking to build confidence or expand your traditional canoeing and sea paddling knowledge, this is the perfect opportunity to learn by doing.

We strongly recommend paddling this expedition as a tandem. Sharing a canoe makes everything from open-water crossings and windy conditions to portaging and moving boats across rough ground much more enjoyable and efficient. Solo paddlers are welcome, but we ask that you have an appropriate level of fitness and experience. You should be comfortable paddling independently in Force 4 winds and above, and confident in your ability to manage your canoe over challenging terrain, including dragging it through heather and carrying it during portages. We ask that anyone wanting to solo this trip discuss this with the guides before booking!

If you're looking for an expedition that combines adventure, skill development, wild camping, and some of the finest canoeing Scotland has to offer, this Hebridean journey promises an experience you'll never forget.

Here is a sample Itinerary of the 7 days

Day 1 - Meet in Mallaig and travel on the Ferry to Loch Boisdale. Head to Kilbride Campsite, get the final bits of packing sorted and finalise shuttle plan depending on weather and numbers.

In the evening we can either cook a group meal at the hostel or head to the nearby Polachar Hotel for dinner which sits right next to some stunning white sandy beaches looking out onto the Atlantic!

Day 2 - Head of in the morning to the start location - full days paddle to the 1st camp

Day 3 -5 The expedition continues transitioning between fresh water lochs, oceans and rivers. During 1 of these days there is a small shop, cafe & toilets to grab some extra water, snacks and caffeine!

Day 6 - Final day of the expedition depending on the tides and weather we aim to be off the water around lunch time to allow time for the shuttle and travel back to South Uist and to Kilbride Campsite for a hot shower and team dinner!

Day 7 - travel home on the morning ferry back to Mallaig

Your Hebridean Canoe Expedition includes:

• Five days of expert coaching and guiding from two highly qualified and experienced canoe coaches and expedition paddlers.

• Ongoing coaching throughout the expedition, with practical instruction in traditional canoe skills including sea paddling, sailing, lining, tracking, dragging, and portaging.

• Four nights of supported wilderness camping.

• Safety management, expedition planning, and route selection tailored to the prevailing weather and sea conditions.

• Group safety and emergency equipment.

• A collection of high-quality photos and videos captured throughout the expedition, so you can relive and share your adventure long after you've returned home.

This is an intermediate to advanced expedition designed for paddlers who are comfortable spending long days on the water and are keen to embrace the challenges of wilderness canoe travel.

You don't need to be an expert in every expedition skill—we'll coach and support you throughout the journey—but you should already be a confident open canoe paddler with experience of paddling in exposed conditions. This expedition includes open-water crossings, sea paddling, some short low volume grade 1/2 rapids, tidal flows, variable weather, and physically demanding tasks such as portaging, lining, tracking, and dragging canoes over rough terrain. With this in mind being comfortable on variable terrain from slippy rocks and lumpy heather is important. Please choose good supportive footwear!

To get the most from the trip, you should be able to paddle for 5–7 hours a day with breaks, carrying out occasional portages while managing your own personal equipment. A good level of fitness and a positive, adaptable attitude are essential, as plans may change to suit the weather and sea conditions. If you have some basic river skills such as ferry glides and how to enter and exit eddies this will also help.

We strongly recommend paddling as a tandem, as this makes open-water paddling, windy conditions, and moving loaded canoes significantly easier and more enjoyable.

If you wish to paddle solo, you should be an experienced and self-sufficient canoeist, comfortable paddling independently in Force 4 winds and above, and confident handling your canoe during portages and while dragging it through heather and other challenging terrain.

Above all, this expedition is for paddlers with a sense of adventure who are excited by learning, exploring, and travelling through one of the UK's most spectacular wilderness landscapes.

Equipment hire of some items can be arranged

This trip involves some portages and lifting we highly recommend going more towards the lightweight end of the packing scale. Our recommendation is that you should be able to comfortably carry any bags you have in one portage then come back for the boat. We light to have one large bag around 80 -100 litres on our back with a day bag around 10 -15 litres and a water sack around 6-10 litres. You can then carry your kit solo and come back and team up with your tandem partner to manoeuvre the boat together.

For tips and support on kit and packing please talk to Emy & Liam.

Kit List Requirements

Below is a suggested kit list for the trip.  Items are split in essential and recommended.  If there are items of equipment that you do not have, these can be provided and rented at an additional cost; equipment marked with * are available for rental.

Essential:

Canoe with airbags or floatation blocks & 5m Bow Line*

Buoyancy Aid*

Paddle (plus spare)*

White Water Paddling Helmet*

Barrell / Dry Bags*

Paddle Boots that offer good ankle support and grip on wet rocks rocks and grass (Booties are not a good choice)

Neoprene Gloves / Pogies for paddling in

Kneeling Mat & Bailer*

A sturdy portage trolley*

Canoe Sail*

Paddle Clothing & Waterproofs

Tent, Inflatable Roll Mat & Season 3 Sleeping Bag

Camping Stove & Gas / Cooking Utensils + Plate / Bowl / Coffee Mug

Food: 5 Lunches, 4 Breakfast & 4 Dinners + Snacks

Water Container 6-10 litre water bladder(enough to carry 2 days of drinking & cooking water) + flask (additional drinks optional)

Spare Clothes – merino / technical base layers, thick socks

Warm Jacket for wearing around camp area

Head Torch plus spare batteries

Warm Hat & Gloves (plus spare gloves)

Lightweight towel & toiletries

Midge Net / Smidge / Tic Remover *

Recommended:

Dry Trousers & Cag

Personal First Aid Kit

Water Purification Tablets / Filter

Camping Chair

A book or a good podcast (in bad weather or midges it's good to have something to entertain yourself with in the tent)

Suncream, Sunglasses & Peaked cap (it can be sunny)

Portable Charging Device

Camera

Spare Bags for Wet Kit

trainers or crocs for camp

• Fully outfitted Hou Canoe Prospecteur - £150 for the trip (This includes a downwind sail, poles, paddles portage trolley & buoyancy aid If you require) The cost of this will be Split for Tandem Paddlers.

• Expedition Foods - Dehydrated Ration 800Kcal packs - 4 Dinners & 4 Breakfast please inform us of any dietary requirements if you would like this option https://expeditionfoods.com - £80

• Ferry Booking

• Accomodation at Kilbride night 1 and 6 / Campsite fees

• Trip Insurance & Personal Injury - Highly Recommend as we can't control the weather or Ferrys