BARRA / MINGULAY EXPLORE
2025
Dates
2025: MAY 2nd-8th
7 Days / 6 Nights
Pricing
£850 Per person
Prices include use of kayaks and associated paddling equipment, use of Hilleberg tents and sleeping mats upon request.
Our Outer Hebrides trip is Self Catered.
We ask our guests to organise their own ferry tickets. Before our trip begins we will hold a zoom meeting where car-pooling may be arranged between us.
This is your chance to join us on an expedition style journey into one of the most remote and spectacular stretches of the Scottish coastline. Our first day we will meet in Oban in time for the morning ferry to Castle Bay, Barra (timetable to be published shortly via Calmac). Aboard the ferry, we will share our plans and itinerary to fit the conditions, deciding our route together. Our outset plan is to journey south of Barra ‘expedition’ style toward the islands of Sanndraigh, Pabbaigh, Mingulay and Beànaraigh, packing our food and equipment in our kayaks for a return journey south and back to the islands. While there is never a guarantee of reaching the southern most of the islands, this trip is our chance to give it our best shot, the rest is down to the weather and our team ambition at the time. To do this is extremely weather dependent and can vary widely depending on the conditions we are presented with. “Second Plan A’s” include exploring the also superb coasts of Barra and Vatersay and into the Sound of Barra. Our first night will generally be spent at the campground at Vatersay Village hall, offering an excellent jump off point to our adventure ahead.
We will foster a team ethos from the outset, and all trip planning and tidal calculations will of course always be shared and chatted through as a group throughout the expedition, and coaching and instruction in tidal planning will be available. Whilst we encourage you to provide your own kayak and camp equipment for this trip, we can, upon request, provide kayaking equipment, tents and sleeping mats. We do ask you to provide your own food and cooking equipment.
Is this for me?
This is an Intermediate (+) Level trip
What is an intermediate (+) paddler?
We don’t expect you to be an expert, developing paddlers are welcome.
An intermediate paddler should be familiar with paddling in Beauforce 4 winds (11-16knots / 13-18mph)
Have some experience of paddling in waves up to one metre high.
An ability to roll or self rescue is desirable but not essential.
As part of the trip, we can learn from each other from coaching to top tips and handy hints as a team.
Get in touch, we’d love to answer your questions.
Is it for me?
We will be a team up to eight people, including our two guides.
The expeditionary nature of these trips involve no set route or plan,
this is discussed prior to the trip to suit conditions and ambitions to our group ability.
Wherever possible this journey will involve wild camping.
A basic familiarity with camp-craft is desirable.
We can provide tents and sleeping mats on request.
This trip is self catered. You will be responsible for your own food and cooking.
Our aim is to enjoy and explore the coastline, not to ‘beast’ you.
Some days you can expect can be up to and over 25km.
We will not be seeking rough water conditions however they may present themselves at times. Wherever possible this will be ‘challenge by choice’.
Meet Our Guides
Tim Hamlet & Will Copestake
