Damian and Trevor were travelling around the #NC500 and chose to stop off for an afternoon seeing it from a different perspective. Paddling is a fantastic way to see the craggy north west coast in a different way.

Shona, Colin and Linda met me for a sunny morning paddle from the boom beach in Mellon Charles. We had a great time exploring the interesting rocky coastline and wildlife.

After a dreich morning the weather improved when I met Ben and Rebecca near the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. We started the session by being watched by some of the birds from the hotels falconry centre. As the midges congregated we got on with the session and headed out in the boats. As normal we saw plenty of birds and seals, but this time we also bumped into an otter whilst he was out fishing. 

Heather and Dan joined me for a canoe from Gairloch Harbour. We enjoyed paddling around the rugged coastline seeing the seals and the marine life below the waves whilst the sun shone down on us intermittently. 

Michael, Fiona and Andrew took to the water on Loch Shieldaig, just a few miles south of Gairloch. We enjoyed paddling along to see the seals swimming around us, watching us in their inquisitive way.

Max, Fraser, James and family friend Adam joined me for a fun morning of canoeing and kayaking. We headed out in the canoes initially, getting to grips with how they paddle and playing some games before heading back to jump in the kayaks for more of the same.

Fiona, David and Catriona met me on another sunny day in Wester Ross. We had a good time exploring the rocky coastline, seeing the seals and learning some skills.

Roy, Ash, Glen, Kev and Phil met me on a grey and drizzly morning near the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. Despite the weather we had a good time seeing the wildlife and sights as we paddled around the craggy coastline.

Chris, Laura, Will and Bella joined me in Gairloch for a fun afternoon kayaking. We learnt some paddling skills, saw some sights, watched wildlife, most importantly we played some games and had a great time splashing about.

Gill and Harry joined me again for another paddle, this time bringing along Maralyn to enjoy the experience. As we paddled around in the sunshine we were watched by seals as we watched star fish and sea urchins.

Jacquelyn and Willem were up doing the NC500, stopping off to enjoy the highlights like paddling around the coast to see the NC500 from a different perspective. We had a nice low tide, enabling us to spot lots of sea life on our journey.

Another sunny morning on the water, this time with Graeme and Debbie. We enjoyed a pleasant paddle around the craggy coastline, seeing bird life and being followed by seals.

I met Alexandra and Pascal near the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel for a sunny paddle. They had just got married and so far on their honeymoon they had walked the Great Glen Way and driven around some of the NC500. On our paddle we became surrounded by seals, something they’re not used to in Switzerland!

Harry and Gill have been out with me before and this time Harry’s son, Michael, was here to join in too. Michael chose to try out a sea kayak and Gill and Harry opted for the sit on top kayaks as they’d tried the sea kayaks last time. Harry looked a lot more comfortable and relaxed on the sit on top this time. We had a great paddle around the rugged coastline of Mellon Charles, finding a great spot for a brew at the north end of the village.

Alison has got her own boat but didn’t have anyone to paddle with this week and wanted to get back into the swing of things with her first paddle of the year. We headed out along the fantastic coastline around Mellon Charles, taking our time to explore it’s rugged beauty.

It was another sunny day (it almost feels like this is the standard weather up here now…..can’t remember when it last rained….) and I met Nigel and Sarah at Mellon Charles’s boom beach (have a look into Loch Ewe’s world war two history to find out why it’s called that). We set off to explore the coastline in sea kayaks and had a great time paddling around looking at the scenery and enjoying seeing it from a different perspective.

Simon, Kim, Iona and Cameron had been trying to get out canoeing with me for ages, but things always got in the way. Finally we managed to find a day we could all do that had good weather. We had a great time learning about the boats, how to paddle, playing games, seeing the wildlife and exploring the fantastic coastline.

Carly and Tom joined me at Gairloch Harbour on a beautifully sunny day. We paddled around the coastline, exploring the rocky shore as we went. Not a bad way to spend your honeymoon!