Simon and Sarah were staying in Badachro for the week and fancied getting out on the water. The session started very ‘atmospherically’ – drizzly and grey – but it soon dried up and was a great session on the water.

Marina, Matthew, Rebecca and Donald had an afternoon paddling around Inverewe garden with me. They were heading around the NC500 but ensured they had time to have an adventure exploring the coastline from the other side.

Dave wanted to learn a few skills and techniques so we headed out to do some of that whilst enjoying the scenery and surroundings.

Andy and Jacqui joined me for a morning paddle from Gairloch. Keen to learn skill, about kit and safe paddling since Andy is planning on buying his own boat. A low tide meant we spotted lots of urchins and starfish.

Neil spent the afternoon kayaking with me. He’s bought himself a kayak and wanted to learn some skills and practice some self rescue skills. He’s now got some techniques to go away and practice and knows about more safety kit that should be carried.

Fiona, Jeff, James (also known as Freddy), Isobel, Thomas, Clare, Garry, Mia and Sophie spent the afternoon kayaking about in sunshine with me. The Reids have just bought a house in Gairloch, so are keen to explore.

Alison and John booked me for the morning so that we could practice rescue skills. They live locally and often head out in their boats, exploring the great coastline around here. It’s been a while since they have practiced rescue skills so it was good for them to have a refresher and learn a few different ways of doing things. Hopefully they never need the skills for real!

Sean, Lily and Eliza had a sunny afternoon exploring the craggy coastline from Gairloch harbour. Eliza did a great job in the front of the canoe with me. The breeze meant that the sheltered bits in the sunshine were even more enjoyable!

Lloyd, James, Liam and Stuart spent the morning with me. We took the sea kayaks out to explore the bays by Gairloch. At one point we had a white tailed eagle flying above and then later a golden eagle put on a little display for us, they made up for the lack of seals this morning.

Stella and Scott took time off from their NC500 trip to have an adventure on the water in kayaks with me. The weather was kind to us and we had calm water and some sunshine to relax in.

Jamie, Lynn, Dani and Evan came kayaking with me this afternoon. We went for the sea kayaks and after practicing a few skills we set off to explore the craggy coastline and spot wildlife.

Kristin and Andy joined me again for another session of learning, practicing and enjoying. We started by chatting about suitable kit to take to keep yourself safe on the water, headed out and improved some of our paddling technique and then headed off to test some skills on a bit of bumpy wavy water. A brew is always better on a remote beach after you’ve put some effort in!

Toby, Megan, Anna and Nick spent a sunny afternoon with me kayaking from Gairloch harbour. A low tide meant plenty of starfish searching along the craggy coastline. Toby and Megan booked me initially and then realised that their friends from uni were doing the NC500 at the same time in opposite directions, so what better time to meet up than on the water!

Gerry was back with me today but sadly no Ailsa this time. We padded from Poolewe again but this time on the other side of the loch, so we headed around the shore of Inverewe Garden. For a while we had a good few seals swimming around us to keep us entertained.

Gerry and Ailsa spent the afternoon kayaking by Poolewe with me. They’re thinking about doing more kayaking in the future so were keen to learn about safe paddling and learn skills. After a slightly damp start the weather improved and turned into a lovely afternoon.

Kenny and Amanda were up here in a motorhome so they didn’t bring their own kayaks up. The had a session on the water with me to enjoy paddling up here without the hassle of bringing their boats but also to lean more skills and that they can use when they get back on the water by themselves.

Frances and Tim spent the morning kayaking around from Gairloch harbour. At the same time that seals swam around near us we had a white tailed eagle fly overhead.

I had met David and Claire last year up at the Mellon Charles boom beach, they were heading out snorkelling when I was paddling there with customers. They’re back up in the area and were keen to get out in kayaks. On our evening paddle we had a couple of otters scampering around on the shore to entertain us.