As I am writing this rain is pelting Narwhal's decks and she is bobbing around in the wind like an impatient stallion ready to get on the race course. What a difference a few days make. Just 48hrs ago I was gliding over mirror calm water, balancing on the reflection of my kayak while the sun turned the shallow sandy skerries of Arisaig into a wonderfully picturesque playground. I would highly recommend the Arisaig/ Mallaig area for a mini adventure, or ideally for a longer one. It is accessible by train from Glasgow, even by steam train if you fancy travelling in style. In just two days there I snorkelled, not quite with seals, kayaked, with a lot of seals, hiked, visited a rather special ice cream shop and walked on some stunning sandy beaches with only gulls for company. Here is a little taster... 


Looking out from the beach at Glenancross towards Skye. The Cullins are just visible in the distance with the infamous Cullin Ridge coming in and out of the clouds.



Two of the Small Isles, Eigg (on the left) and Rum (on the right). Locals used to have a superstition of not referring to the islands by their names. Instead they called Eigg the 'Island of the Big Woman'. Apparently a tribe with women of Amazonia stature used to repel those attempting to land on their island. A similar tale is told of Rum, or the 'Forbidden Island', here the islanders used guns to deter visitors. I'm sure both are much more friendly today. Rum's skyline looks similar to that of the Cullins. Both ridges share similar geology and it was the Viking rulers of Rum that gave the Cullins their name.


Not a bad place for a lunch stop

Not a bad place for a lunch stop


Clear blue water and blue sky, not a bad combination. Rum is in the distance, beyond the skerries.



The skerries at Arisaig are a fantastic place for kayaking. They offer protection from the elements, many interesting islands to explore which change with the tide, wonderful views and lots of inquisitive seals. 



What looks like sand in the skerries is in fact a fossllised seaweed called marl.



I couldn't help but think about how many people there would be on a lovely sandy beach like this on a sunny day during the school holidays on the south coast. Here just one man and his dog.



The ice cream shop and 19th hole of the local golf course.

We have two boat supported kayak trips planned for 2018. One to the world heritage site of the islands of St Kilda, 50 miles outside the Outer Hebrides. The other to the breathtaking Lofoten Islands in arctic Norway. Find out more on our Expeditions 2018. Contact 

Contact us if you would like to join us on a trip or are interested in organising your own