5.0

100km Canoe Expedition Across Scotland

Cross Scotland from Fort William in the west, to Inverness in the east along the Caledonian Canal

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with local, expert, certified canoe guides
  • Wild camping4 nights wild camping
  • MealsAll your breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the trip
  • TransfersFrom the start point in Inverness and back
  • EquipmentAll your canoeing, camping and safety equipment
  • Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 7 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From
excluding flights

Highlights

  • Traverse 100km of flat water and experience the Great Glen Trail on a long-distance canoe adventure across Scotland

  • Cross the legendary Loch Ness and pretend that you’re not secretly looking for monsters

  • Wild camp at remote and beautiful spots along the way surrounded by some of the UK’s highest mountains

Itinerary

    Day 1

    Banavie to Gairlochy

    Canoeing
    3hrs · 11km
    Wild camping
    Twin share
    Lunch and dinner included
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your host in Inverness and drive to Banavie (near Fort William) where you’ll pack your canoe, get to know the group and have a practice paddle in the canal basin. Head for Gairlochy, where you’ll choose a suitably remote campsite and tuck into some tasty grub prepared by your guides and wild camp under the stars.

    Day 2

    Loch Oich

    Canoeing
    7hrs · 25km
    Wild camping
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Get back on the water and paddle the length of the creatively-named Loch Lochy. Pass through Laggan Locks and navigate your way to Loch Oich from where you can explore the surrounding, wooded bays and look for a secluded and scenic camping spot.

    Day 3

    Loch Ness

    Canoeing
    6hrs · 24km
    Wild camping
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    Portage around the lock gates at Cullochy and Kytra, before reaching the village of Fort Augustus. Re-stock and then take on the world’s most famous loch, Loch Ness. Find a remote spot to camp and enjoy dinner on the beach as you pretend that you’re not secretly looking for Nessie.

    Day 4

    Head of the Loch

    Canoeing
    6hrs · 22km
    Wild camping
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 4 detail

    The weather will determine your route and conditions today. If a strong wind is blowing it can get tough and you might even find yourself negotiating some decent waves. In normal conditions, however, it’s a leisurely, scenic paddle with views of Urqhuart Castle. That done, it's time to find a spot for the night at the head of Loch Ness before heading to the nearby Dores Inn to celebrate your last night with the group.

    Day 5

    Inverness

    Canoeing
    3hrs · 10km
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 5 detail

    Paddle along Loch Dochfour and through rolling farmland before entering Inverness where your adventure will come to an end. Unpack your canoe and head back to Inverness train station (or a location of your choice in the city centre) ready for your journey home.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Inverness Airport (INV)
Pick up
Central Inverness
09:00 on Day 1
Drop off
Inverness town centre, train station, bus station, or your accommodation in town.
Early afternoon on Day 5

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

You’ll meet your host in the car park at the Tesco Metro on Tomnahurich Street in Inverness at 09:00. You will then be transferred by minibus to Fort William (2 hour drive). We recommend you arrive the night before to ensure you don't miss your transfer.

Your trip will end in Inverness mid-afternoon. Your host will transfer you to the town centre train station, bus station, or your accommodation in Inverness. It is also easy to get a 25-minute taxi ride to Inverness Airport to catch a flight from late afternoon onwards. Please don't book any onwards travel before 5 pm in case of bad weather and a delayed arrival into Inverness.

Travel options

Inverness is well served by train routes and flights. There is a daily Virgin Trains East Coast from London King’s Cross to Inverness, and a number of route options within Scotland with ScotRail. The Caledonian Sleeper also offers an overnight service direct to Inverness starting at London Euston, with stops at Crewe and Preston. There are also direct flights from across the UK and Europe.

Trip level explained

Level 3

Moderate

You can expect up to six or seven hours of paddling each day, so a good level of overall fitness and stamina is required. You will be paddling 100km over the course of the trip on consecutive days, and back to back days can be tiring. For safety reasons, to join this trip, you must be able to swim a distance of at least 25 metres (although you will be given a buoyancy aid). This is a participatory camping trip, so you'll also need to muck in with putting up and breaking down camp throughout the trip. It is also important to note that the Caledonian Canal section includes a number of locks, and you will need to lift your boats and the equipment, helping portage around these. The distances covered are generally quite short, but the boats can be pretty heavy to carry when packed with the equipment, so you will need to be prepared for this. It's all part of the adventure!

Some previous experience paddling in canoes or kayaks is preferable, but isn't essential, as guidance will be provided at the beginning of the trip and while on the water. More importantly, a good level of fitness and building some arm strength beforehand can help with paddling. Accompanying cardio and flexibility training will help you be in the best shape possible to enjoy this trip.

Remote environment: factors to consider

Some parts of this trip take place in areas where access to medical facilities and emergency services may be limited. This may mean that reaching medical care takes longer than you might normally expect, or that local medical facilities have fewer resources than those you may be used to at home.

If someone becomes unwell or injured, initial treatment may be provided locally before onward travel to a larger hospital or city for further care. Evacuation could involve changing the planned route or using different forms of transport to reach appropriate medical facilities. Mobile phone coverage may also be intermittent in some locations.

Your guide is trained to manage situations in remote environments and will monitor the group and respond appropriately if any issues arise. However, it’s important that you let your guide know straight away if you feel unwell or experience any health concerns during the trip.

Before booking, consider your personal health and ability to travel in locations where access to medical care may be delayed. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, we recommend seeking advice from a medical professional and discussing them with your host before travelling.

All travellers must have suitable travel insurance that covers the activities included in the trip and emergency medical evacuation if required.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

  • Guided canoeing from Banavie to Gairlochy
  • Guided canoeing through Loch Lochy to Loch Oich
  • 2 days of guided canoeing through the famous Loch Ness
  • Guided canoeing along Loch Dochfour to Inverness

  • Expert, local, certified canoe guides

  • 4 nights wild camping

All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:

  • 4 hot breakfasts
  • 4 packed lunches
  • 4 delicious three-course dinners

  • Group arrival transfers from central Inverness on Day 1
  • Group departure transfers to Inverness on Day 5
  • All transfers during the trip

  • All canoeing equipment
  • All camping equipment and safety equipment

Where You'll Stay

Private room upgrades are not available on this trip due to the nature of the accommodation.

Wild camp, Scotland

Wild Camping

Stay

Wild Camping

You’ll wild camp in twin share tents in remote and beautiful spots by the loch side. Accommodation is basic with only one opportunity for a shower along the way in Fort Augustus. On most trips, your host provides a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available.

What You'll Eat

You'll tuck into fresh, quality, tasty meals throughout the expedition. For breakfast, there'll be cereal or porridge with various toppings, as well as hot drinks. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a whole host of tasty fillings, fruit and some tr


Food and Dietary info

You'll tuck into fresh, quality, tasty meals throughout the expedition. For breakfast, there'll be cereal or porridge with various toppings, as well as hot drinks. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a whole host of tasty fillings, fruit and some treats to keep you going. At dinner time you can expect to refuel after an active day with a three-course meal – starters might include Scottish smoked salmon, patĂ©s and oatcakes; main courses will include fresh ingredients like fish, meats and vegetables; dessert could be strawberries and clotted cream with shortbread, or cake and custard. Snacks and drinks will also be available between meals.

Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be catered for, please just request this in advance on your passenger info form.

Optional Extras

Equipment / Kit Hire

Sleeping Bag Hire

/per person

Upgrades

For solo travellers wanting their own personal space, you can request your own private tent on the trip at no extra cost (subject to availability). Just request with your host when booking.

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0302 reviews
  • 3 stars (0)
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Category rating

Food
5.0
Guides & crew
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Itinerary
5.0

Latest Reviews

  • Andy M.

    What a trip! the Caledonian canal, Loch Lochy, Lock Oich and the stunning Loch Ness, (no sign of Nessie) Each day consisted of a leisurely paced row with breaks for morning snacks, lunch and the portages around the locks. The evenings were wild camping but no hint of roughing it as our guide Rob provided us with a 3 course meal each night. All in all a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Scottish highlands.

  • Joanne R.

    Brilliant trip, perfectly organised. Great wild camping spots with amazing views and good food. Canoeing ranged from steady to a bit challenging on last day when Loch Ness was choppy, but totally manageable with good team work and guidance from Rob our guide. If you are considering it do it, highly recommend it - from a 60 year old not very strong woman with a dodgy hip, ankle and elbow đŸ€Ł

  • Emily O.

    I came to this trip with a friend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It’s hard work, especially with the weather that we had all week (constant heavy rain) but I still had the best time. The food was brilliant and the guidance and support from Stu our leader was second to none. The wild camping spots were all beautiful and I felt so privileged to have the space to ourselves and get to see and swim in Lochs that felt completely wild. It’s not an easy going week, you’re always moving or setting up camp - but that’s what I was after. Thank you for a brilliant week!

  • John R.

    Just finished the Great Glen canoe expedition with a group of friends and had a great week overall. The only area that could have been a little better was the pre-trip communication. A few details weren’t completely clear, and I think some people in our group were surprised by the level of effort required - tempting me to rate this trip . That said, once the trip started, everything went smoothly.   Joe was a fantastic guide, and the food throughout the week was much better than expected. We had strong headwinds on Loch Ness, which added a challenge, but that’s all part of the adventure and the weather really shapes each group’s experience. The combination of canoeing and camping through the Great Glen is a beautiful way to see Scotland. It was a fun, rewarding week, and I’m glad we did it.

  • Andrew C.

    The canoe trip across Scotland was an epic adventure and would thoroughly recomend it. Amazing scenery the whole way and the entire trip ran very smoothly. Rob our guide worked tirelessly to ensure we had a great time including russling up some great meals on the shore. I would recomend taking insect repellant and to apply it frequently. I found neoprene socks ideal for wearing during the day when your getting in and out of the canoe. I would think carefully about how mush kit you take and try to reduce it as much as possible. The tents and waterproofs from Much Better Adventures while canoeing were first class.

  • Peter S.

    We are two reasonably active Canadians in our mid 50’s. Luckily we experienced generally excellent weather on this trip. Over the 5 days we had a range of conditions from flat calm canoeing to gnarly waves and headwinds that challenged us to, as our great guide Joe put it, “Find out what you’re made of!”. Our guide was very personable and encouraging and worked extremely hard to ensure we were safe, well fed and he maintained excellent team morale also. The landscapes and scenery were lovely along the lochs and through the locks. Our isolated and picturesque campsites along the south shore of Loch Ness will be remembered for a long time. Highly recommended!!

  • Amanda B.

    Our canoe trip along the Great Glen Way was so much fun. The paddling was a mix of easy and challenging, with beautiful views the whole way. Our guide Joe was very organized, entertaining, enthusiastic and encouraging when needed. The food was fabulous and I already miss paddling.

  • India R.

    I booked this on Christmas Day to give me the motivation to get fit for it and it worked a treat – although actually it wasn't too hard at all. I had the fear when I saw that there was up to 6 hours of paddling a day but the toughest part was actually the short stints of portage! In the end it was a wonderful few days spent with interesting people, discovering beautiful places with really knowledgeable and helpful guides. Big shout out to Rob, my canoe buddy, who is leading many of the trips this summer. As we approached Inverness at the end, I felt a huge sense of achievement at having completed it and have even been looking at secondhand canoes since I got back! I wholeheartedly recommend this trip if you're thinking about it.

  • Patrick W.

    Chris & Rob were first class guides & provided a truly memorable trip along the GGCT. Many thanks!

  • Laura K.

    The most incredible adventure that will stay long in my memory. Our guide Luke, from In Your Element, excelled in his role, teaching us novices all things kayak, cheffed up the most amazing three course evening meals, hot breakfasts (impossible to go hungry) and kept us safe. As a woman aged 50 something I was apprehensive about the physical challenge - and it was hard but doable although glad I’d upped my training to prepare. The weather was appalling, freezing at times, with gusty headwinds slowing us, so we didn’t quite reach the end, but already planning a return trip next year to conquer the trail!

Customer Photos

5.0302 reviews
  • 5 stars (293)
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Showing all 302 reviews

  • Scotlands Lochs by canoe

    Andy M. June 2026
    What a trip! the Caledonian canal, Loch Lochy, Lock Oich and the stunning Loch Ness, (no sign of Nessie) Each day consisted of a leisurely paced row with breaks for morning snacks, lunch and the portages around the locks. The evenings were wild camping but no hint of roughing it as our guide Rob provided us with a 3 course meal each night. All in all a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Scottish highlands.

  • Brilliant trip, perfectly organised. Great

    Joanne R. June 2026
    Brilliant trip, perfectly organised. Great wild camping spots with amazing views and good food. Canoeing ranged from steady to a bit challenging on last day when Loch Ness was choppy, but totally manageable with good team work and guidance from Rob our guide. If you are considering it do it, highly recommend it - from a 60 year old not very strong woman with a dodgy hip, ankle and elbow đŸ€Ł

  • A brilliant challenge in a stunning location

    Emily O. June 2026
    I came to this trip with a friend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It’s hard work, especially with the weather that we had all week (constant heavy rain) but I still had the best time. The food was brilliant and the guidance and support from Stu our leader was second to none. The wild camping spots were all beautiful and I felt so privileged to have the space to ourselves and get to see and swim in Lochs that felt completely wild. It’s not an easy going week, you’re always moving or setting up camp - but that’s what I was after. Thank you for a brilliant week!

  • A Great Way to See Scotland

    John R. June 2026
    Just finished the Great Glen canoe expedition with a group of friends and had a great week overall. The only area that could have been a little better was the pre-trip communication. A few details weren’t completely clear, and I think some people in our group were surprised by the level of effort required - tempting me to rate this trip . That said, once the trip started, everything went smoothly.   Joe was a fantastic guide, and the food throughout the week was much better than expected. We had strong headwinds on Loch Ness, which added a challenge, but that’s all part of the adventure and the weather really shapes each group’s experience. The combination of canoeing and camping through the Great Glen is a beautiful way to see Scotland. It was a fun, rewarding week, and I’m glad we did it.

  • A monsterously Good Adventure

    Andrew C. May 2026
    The canoe trip across Scotland was an epic adventure and would thoroughly recomend it. Amazing scenery the whole way and the entire trip ran very smoothly. Rob our guide worked tirelessly to ensure we had a great time including russling up some great meals on the shore. I would recomend taking insect repellant and to apply it frequently. I found neoprene socks ideal for wearing during the day when your getting in and out of the canoe. I would think carefully about how mush kit you take and try to reduce it as much as possible. The tents and waterproofs from Much Better Adventures while canoeing were first class.

  • Fantastic journey and awesome guide!

    Peter S. May 2026
    We are two reasonably active Canadians in our mid 50’s. Luckily we experienced generally excellent weather on this trip. Over the 5 days we had a range of conditions from flat calm canoeing to gnarly waves and headwinds that challenged us to, as our great guide Joe put it, “Find out what you’re made of!”. Our guide was very personable and encouraging and worked extremely hard to ensure we were safe, well fed and he maintained excellent team morale also. The landscapes and scenery were lovely along the lochs and through the locks. Our isolated and picturesque campsites along the south shore of Loch Ness will be remembered for a long time. Highly recommended!!

  • Super fun!

    Amanda B. May 2026
    Our canoe trip along the Great Glen Way was so much fun. The paddling was a mix of easy and challenging, with beautiful views the whole way. Our guide Joe was very organized, entertaining, enthusiastic and encouraging when needed. The food was fabulous and I already miss paddling.

  • Epic adventure for this average-fitness 40-something solo traveller

    India R. May 2026
    I booked this on Christmas Day to give me the motivation to get fit for it and it worked a treat – although actually it wasn't too hard at all. I had the fear when I saw that there was up to 6 hours of paddling a day but the toughest part was actually the short stints of portage! In the end it was a wonderful few days spent with interesting people, discovering beautiful places with really knowledgeable and helpful guides. Big shout out to Rob, my canoe buddy, who is leading many of the trips this summer. As we approached Inverness at the end, I felt a huge sense of achievement at having completed it and have even been looking at secondhand canoes since I got back! I wholeheartedly recommend this trip if you're thinking about it.

  • Chris & Rob were first

    Patrick W. May 2026
    Chris & Rob were first class guides & provided a truly memorable trip along the GGCT. Many thanks!

  • Epic adventure, lingers with you long afterwards

    Laura K. May 2026
    The most incredible adventure that will stay long in my memory. Our guide Luke, from In Your Element, excelled in his role, teaching us novices all things kayak, cheffed up the most amazing three course evening meals, hot breakfasts (impossible to go hungry) and kept us safe. As a woman aged 50 something I was apprehensive about the physical challenge - and it was hard but doable although glad I’d upped my training to prepare. The weather was appalling, freezing at times, with gusty headwinds slowing us, so we didn’t quite reach the end, but already planning a return trip next year to conquer the trail!

  • May 26

    Jennifer W. May 2026
    The expedition was fantastic. The weather was definitely on our side. Our guides Chris and Rob were brilliant, giving us tips on canoeing and cooking fab meals. Great bunch of people on the trip with many laughs and funny guessing games. I would recommend this trip with Much Better Adventures. Everything was so well organised and I would definitely use them again.

  • Incredible. Life Affirming. Wow

    Gareth N. May 2026
    For anyone on the fence about whether or not to take a punt on this adventure, get off the fence and get it booked! I went solo and met some incredible people, slept in some amazing spots and didn't stop eating amazing food. Our host, Andy, was an absolute star. Making us feel safe and well looked after throughout the trip. The weather might not always be great. The water might get choppy. But you absolutely will have an amazing time.

  • Float to Live

    Chris H. May 2026
    We had an expectation trip. Jo and Stewart our guides were excellent and the food was fantastic. We had some glorious weather and the crew were all top guys. I would highly recommend the trip and the advice of the local Inverness council water safety team. “If you fall into the water, float to live”

  • A glorious adventure through awesome

    Ros H. May 2026
    A glorious adventure through awesome scenery and wildlife. Brilliantly led by our guide Andy who made us laugh, fed us well and made all the right calls regarding our route and timing. The camping spots were magical and the equipment worked perfectly. Couldn't ask for a better trip!

  • Awesome experience

    Andrew M. May 2026
    Exhilarating, hard work, terrific fun. Our guide Joe and his side kick Stu were both first rate. Go ahead and book a spot!

  • Top reis gehad.

    Edwin F. May 2026
    Top geregeld. Gids Joe was fantastisch en maakte het een stevige maar veilig en gezellige uitdaging.

  • Amazing adventure with great friends

    Neil P. April 2026
    Seven of us, who had all studied together some 34 years previously - all relatively fit and in our early sixties - and were long-standing friends, teamed up with our guide, cool hand "Lucky" Luke to paddle across Scotland. In five days of paddling and four nights of wild camping we experienced stunning natural beauty and great camaraderie, took ourselves a little bit out of our comfort zones, enjoyed some delicious meals and tasted some amazing single malt whiskies from the area that we had brought with us. Lucky Luke lived up to his moniker by ensuring that it did not rain once while we were putting up or taking down our tents, and that the winds were favourable throughout. We were excellently kitted out in terms of tents, very nifty inflatable sleeping mattresses and wet weather kit for paddling. Luke was an outstanding guide, sharing plenty of technical and safety information but only in small bites as and when appropriate, cooking like a chef, and providing interesting history on the areas that we passed through. Most importantly though he appreciated what the trip meant for us and slotted in very comfortably with the group. We had the most amazing time together - thank you.

  • Barrels of fun.

    David H. April 2026
    This was a great trip. My first through MBA. With little canoe experience in the group our guide gave easy to follow advice. It was April so rain was expected but we also had a lot of dry weather. Camping was basic but with fantastic loch side views and amazing food it was taken to another level. A great group also made it fun. Elliott is a fantastic guide with great knowledge of the route, local history, weather and also a fab chef.

  • I must do.

    Simon E. April 2026
    From start to finish the organisation was great. Elliot our guide took care of everything. Could not believe you had a three course dinner every night. The scenery was simply stunning. I’m not sure if I was just lucky or if every group bonded like we did definitely a five star experience memories forever.

  • Caledonian Discovery

    Martin N. April 2026
    Five days of adventure with a group of old university friends was one for the books. The weather played along with our excellent guide ‘lucky’ Luke, who was full of fabulous anecdotes and stories that brought the trip alive. The paddling, wild camping and chilly evenings all manageable.

  • Excellent

    Patrick V. April 2026
    One of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Superbly organised and expertly delivered by our guide Luke.

  • 5* from me amazing trip

    Geoff B. October 2025
    Absolutely amazing trip highly recommend doing this well organised great people,

  • Exceptional Adventure

    Ryan M. September 2025
    An incredible experience with a group of likeminded and lovely people and an excellent guide in Scott whose enthusiasm, encouragement and amazing culinary skills were second to none. Would thoroughly recommend as it’s the perfect way to explore a beautiful part of Scotland.

  • A full heart, a clear mind, slightly achy arms!

    Lisa M. September 2025
    This was awesome. I joined this trip as an older solo female on my first adventure holiday – slightly nervous about my skill level. Nothing to fear however, as our super-guide Scott (who seemed to emanate joy), was entirely focused on making sure that everyone in the group had the best adventure possible. He expertly navigated us through choppy waters and winds, whilst making sure we took the time to also enjoy the sunshine, rainbows, and the Caledonian Canal’s less obvious treasures: wild goats, waterfalls, and pubs disguised as barges. Each day on the water began and ended with a heart-warming feast, which Scott clearly took great pleasure in creating for us: French toast for breakfast, whisky soaked raspberries, and cream, for evening pud. At night we did a bit of campfire making, and had plenty of time for chat and laughter, and the odd dip in the loch. I feel very lucky to have been immersed in such a beautiful landscape and the company of seven equally beautiful humans for 5 days. I came home with a full heart, a clear mind, slightly achy arms, and my sights set on my next adventure.

  • Beyond EPIC! Trip is 5 stars - Scott our guide is AMAZING!

    Misty-Leigh B. September 2025
    This trip was so great, from the awesome adventure souls also taking on the 100km canoe challenge, to the beautiful Scottish Lochs, the most awesome guide (Scott) and yes freaking phenomenal food. You read that right, I did not expect to be so well fed when camping outside, but Scott out did himself and is quite honestly some crazy magical outdoor chef along with epic guide and social skills. He was the heart of the trip and made it a memorable experience for all. There were times where the weather and waves were daunting, but his commitment to keeping our spirits up and helping along the way was so valued and appreciated. When the weather was calmer, it was the BEST ever. If you feel like a great challenge and new experience with epic food, definitely give this expedition a go. One thing I will say, is find out when Scott is running it, as he was the magical glue. Thank you for a great 5 days team!

  • What an experience

    Karen S. September 2025
    This was a challenging and adventurous trip that I enjoyed very much. The support of the group and guide, Andy, was paramount for the success of my personal participation and ability. Andy was such a great guide, his passion and knowledge about the great outdoors shone through throughout the experience, what a fab cook he is also. We were guided and looked after so well, with our enjoyment and safety prioritised brilliantly.

  • Life resetting

    duncan t. September 2025
    My second kayak trip now MBA, again an amazing time, fantastic food !, probably better than last year, our guide even held my baps for buttering as we waited for the sausages ! So well organised, informative and just thoroughly enjoyable. If your reading the trips on the website, do it , sign up you won’t regret it

  • Amazing and memorable experience

    Robert S. September 2025
    We had a fantastic expedition across much of Scotland, taking in some amazing views along the way and returning home with some amazing memories of a great father-son experience. The logistics were handled perfectly, beginning with the transfer to Fort William and we were provided with some high quality equipment which was more than adequate for the tour. We were particularly pleased to see the commitment to sustainable tourism with the provision of a portable loo overnight and a "leave no trace" approach to waste management. A shining example to all. Our host, Luke, was a pleasure to spend time with and catered for our every need, including a couple of 'spares' to replace the odd items we had forgotten. He also shared some great stories and history along the way which brought the experience to life. We really enjoyed the catering as well: Luke produced three meals each day and these were varied and of high quality. (I've never had Eton Mess on a (wild) campsite before. . . . ) I thought the trip was challenging, but very manageable (I'm 53 and didn't train) - and while the sight of the beautiful Loch Ness was intimidating at first, the smooth crossing left us with a great sense of achievement. So thank you, Much Better Adventures. We will definitely be coming back for more.

  • Excellent!

    Amanda H. September 2025
    Such a good trip and our guide, Alfie, was superb - super friendly but knowledgeable and competent. There was plenty of food and it was really tasty, and I’m a fussy eater. Can’t fault it, was brilliant.

  • Best Week of My Life!

    Alex T. September 2025
    This trip was one of the best weeks of my life. As someone with experience of paddling in the flat of Norfolk, this trip presented a great challenge with incredible scenery, and an amazing group! Luke, our guide, did an amazing job of showing us the ropes, and cooked the most wonderful dinners. His knowledge and expertise just put me completely at ease. I loved every second of the trip, and am looking for my next adventure.

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What's included?
  • Tent
  • Inflatable sleeping mat
  • Cutlery, mug, bowl, plate
  • Buoyancy aid
  • Waterproof barrel for personal kit
  • Canoe helmet
  • Waterproofs (if requested)

Please let your host know of an indication of size for the waterproof clothing and helmet. Either an extra small, small, medium, large or extra large. An approx guess will do.

Available to Hire
  • Sleeping Bag - see Optional Extras.
What do I need to bring?
  • Sleeping bag & sleeping bag liner if required (for extra warmth)
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers (separate to those used for paddling for evenings in camp)
  • 2 sets of paddling clothes (lightweight, quick drying trousers, woolly socks, base layer top, t-shirt or shirt)
  • Pyjamas if required (most sleep in a set of thermals or similar)
  • Fleece x 2 (1 for paddling, 1 for evening)
  • Wellies or old trainers for paddling in (must have robust, grippy soles as you will be walking on rocky shorelines at times). Consider a pair of good neoprene socks inside your trainers to help keep your feet warm as your feet will get wet.
  • Dry trainers for evenings
  • 1 set of warm evening clothes (we hope to have a campfire some nights so take old clothes that you don’t mind getting smoky and dirty)
  • Warm gloves depending on time of year.
  • Warm hat/ sun hat
  • Spare socks and underwear
  • Sun cream/ Lip salve/ sunglasses with protective case
  • Midge head net & Midge repellent (You will need this from June to September)
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable shower gel/soap
  • Small-medium towel
  • Swimming costume if you fancy a swim in a cold loch!
  • Torch (preferably head torch)
  • Small day sack for waterproofs, snacks, sun cream etc.
  • Camera (in waterproof bag if necessary)
  • Spare batteries
  • Water bottle
  • Personal hand sanitizer

Please note that cotton and denim clothing are not recommended for paddling in, as they have no thermal properties when wet.

Bear in mind when packing - that all your personal kit, including sleeping bag and part of a tent - needs to fit into a 60 litre canoe barrel (about the size of an expedition rucksack).

If you like to snack, please pack your own light snacks - remember they must fit in the bag!

FAQs

Rose Street Car Park in central Inverness is the best option for this trip.

Absolutely! We recognise that you may want to leave some of the luggage you bring to Scotland somewhere safe before you start your expedition. You will be able to leave any non-essential items you don’t want to take on the boat with you at our host's local base.

For comfort and safety reasons, unfortunately we are not able to accommodate people over 18 stone (110 kilos) on this trip. If you have questions regarding this, please speak to our customer experience team.

Whilst outdoor toileting is all part of a wilderness adventure, it can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment if not practiced carefully. To avoid this, on most trips, your host provides a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available. Not only does this help to minimise impact on the countryside, but many adventurers find it a bit more comfortable! For those who have periods, we have also written this handy guide, to help you manage these whilst on adventures.

Midges are very tiny winged flies, often found in Northern Scotland between May and October when conditions are damp, humid and warmish. While they don’t have a great reputation, they generally aren’t as bad as they are made out to be: they can be an annoyance, but they don’t carry any diseases. So they're pretty harmless, apart from a small itchy red bite.

They don't like direct sunlight and they can’t fly in anything more than a light wind, so on very sunny or breezy days you're unlikely to be bothered by them.

There are preventative measures you can take if you do find there are some midges around. Wear white or light-coloured clothing – midges are drawn to dark colours. Use a repellent, such as Smidge (a DEET-free insect repellent developed in Scotland) – Avon's Skin So Soft is also often recommended as an effective deterrent. Antihistamine creams or tablets will help with any itchy bites. Whilst midges are so small that they can pass through a mosquito net, you can buy 'midge-proof' head nets made with a fine mesh that will keep them away.

Occasionally, participants may need to leave an expedition earlier than planned for various reasons. Although rare, when such occasions do arise, your hosts can generally arrange for you to be collected and returned to Inverness. This is subject to being able to reach an accessible location and the availability of a vehicle and driver, so it might not be immediate. Your host reserves the right to charge £150 to collect an individual (with those travelling with them) and return them to Inverness; this extra charge covers staff time and the use of a vehicle & fuel. Your host will be happy to provide a receipt for this, should you require it for insurance claim purposes and we recommend that you take out suitable travel insurance to cover holiday cancellation costs or instances like those described above. You are more than welcome to make your own arrangements to leave if necessary, however, please be aware that this trip operates in some very remote locations, and taxis/public transport are not always readily available.  

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The Scottish summer is usually warm but you can expect some rain, even if it's just a little. Prepare for anything and think ‘layers.’ Conditions in April and May will be slightly cooler, with the potential for frost at night. Kit-wise, the main thing is a warm sleeping bag, or an additional bag liner if you feel the cold more.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 46kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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Departure dates

  • Monday 22nd June 2026

    to Friday 26th June 2026

    Last minute - Host approval required

    


  • Monday 29th June 2026

    to Friday 3rd July 2026

    Last minute - Host approval required

    


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