HIGHLIGHTS
Multi-day SUP expedition for intermediate and experienced paddlers
Discover one of Scotland’s most remote and wild locations by stand up paddleboard
Exploring lochs and stunning coastlines
Camp on the water’s edge, wild swimming and evenings under the stars!
All equipment and gear provided
Guided adventure with wilderness experts
Unplug and reconnect with nature
What to Expect
Join us on our women only stand up paddleboarding experience in the Scottish Highlands. On this four day expedition, we'll follow the wild coastline, explore stunning lochs and paddle to locations accessible only by the water or by foot.
We’ll be paddling to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula, one of the wildest and remotest parts of Scotland, with a population of just 113 people.
Nestled between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, this peninsula is completely cut off from the UK mainland road network, accessible only by boat, foot or SUP. A truly remote and stunning location, it’s ideal for our long weekend in nature.
SUP EXPERIENCE
Due to the unpredictable conditions and remote and wild location of this trip, this expedition is only open to those with previous paddleboarding experience.
Not quite there yet? Check out our Irish SUP Adventures or our Wye SUP expedition!
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You must meet the following requirements for this trip:
• Had a formal lesson with qualified SUP instructor
• Been on a paddleboard at least 10 times
• Can confidently turn and control your board in different conditions
• Comfortable paddling up to 6 hours a day
• Can self-rescue
• Are able to effectively (knee) paddle against a headwind.
• Can swim 100 meters in open water
WHAT IS A SUP EXPEDITION?
SUP expeditions, adventure paddling or SUP touring are multi-day, self supported or self-sufficient trips. Just like a hiking expedition or bikepacking weekend, we’ll be carrying everything we need with us on our paddleboards, camping gear, clothes, food, all packed up in dry bags loaded up on our SUP touring boards which are 13ft long and nice and stable.
DESTINATION
We will be paddling on the beautiful and remote west coast of Scotland, on a combination of inland and sea lochs, and finishing on the isolated Knoydart peninsula, a wilderness area cut off from the mainland road network and surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains. Knoydart is steeped in history and wildlife and its remoteness is breathtaking.
CAMPING
We will be provided with small, lightweight tents which we carry on our boards, and we set up wild camps along the water’s edge each night. The remoteness means we are unlikely to see another soul and the scenery is out of this world. As night falls we enjoy a flickering campfire under a blanket of stars deep in the wilderness, so far removed from normal life! We follow wilderness codes of conduct, ensuring we leave no trace.
If you fancy a dip, there are spots we can wild swim at or near the campsites.
WILDLIFE
We often see some amazing wildlife on this trip, like seals, golden eagles, sea eagles, and even dolphins, porpoises and sea otters. When the sea loch is calm, the water is astoundingly clear, and you can see for many metres beneath the surface, spotting starfish, sea urchins, crabs and other sea life hiding amongst the kelp.
THE PADDLING
We’ll be paddling between 10 and 15 km on days one to three, with a short paddle on day four. We stop often for hot drinks and snacks, to admire the scenery or look at wildlife. Because this location is so remote, and the weather is changeable, you might see a variety of conditions in one day! It can be windy and wild, where we need to knee paddle and dig deep to make progress, and then we can be greeted by a glassy loch in the sunshine, complete with porpoises in the distance. This changing weather is all part of the fun and beauty of Scotland’s west coast, and makes for a great trip and an amazing sense of satisfaction.
THE ADVENTURE
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We’ll meet at Fort William in the morning, perfectly timed for jumping off the night train from London. From here we’ll hop in our minibus to our launch site.
After a briefing, kit check and issuing group food, we’ll load our boards for three nights in the wild! We provide dry bags, tents, and all paddleboarding gear, including long john wetsuits. Full gear list here.
We’ll paddle for the afternoon before setting up at our first wild camp spot, for an evening in the company of your new Gutsy Girl friends and knowledgeable guides.
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We continue our expedition towards Knoydart; today we’ll paddle on Loch Morar.
We will then portage (carry the boards and all our kit over land) to Loch Nevis, where we’ll paddle again to our next (and favourite) wild camping spot!
We’ll set up our camp for the night, sleeping under a blanket of stars in this incredible remote location.
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Today we’ll paddle on Loch Nevis to Knoydart, accessible only by boat or a 16-mile hike over the mountains...or SUP! This is a stunning location, so tranquil - and surreal to be so cut off from the world. The village has a population of just 113; many are artists and craftsmen inspired by their beautiful scenery.
The town is home to the Old Forge - Britain’s most remote pub. On our last night, we’ll have drink there around an open fire and tuck into a big dinner either there or in another local establishment, before our last night camping under the stars.
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Waking up in this tranquil location, we'll head to the pier by SUP to jump on the boat back to Malliag.
From here it’s a drive back to Fort William in time for the sleeper train back to London or journeys heading back towards Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Dates - 2022 FULLY BOOKED
Thurs 1 Sept - Sun 4 Sept - SOLD OUT
Thurs 15 Sept - Sun 18 Sept - SOLD OUT
WHAT’S INCLUDED £619
3 nights / 4 days stand up paddleboarding expedition
2 qualified expedition guides. 1:4 ratio for safety.
Stand up paddleboard, carbon paddle, expedition gear.
Long john wetsuit and waterproof/windproof jacket,
Individual tent and dry bags
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and snacks
Gutsy Girls camping mug & beanie
Transport to and from Fort William to start/endpoint
Ferry from Inverie to Mallaig
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Your travel to Fort William, check our blog post and FAQ for how to get there!
Dinner at pub on final night
GEAR LIST
If you’ve never camped before you’ll be in great company, as most of our guests will also be camping for the first time too!
We’ll be providing high-quality kit and have minimised what you’ll need to bring with you.
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• Standup paddleboard and paddle
• Tent
• Wetsuit
• Buoyancy Aid
• Long John Wetsuit
• Drybags (20L and 65L)
• Water and windproof jacket
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• 3 season sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat (inflatable is best)
• Head torch
• Spork / fork / spoon
• Sunglasses
TRAVEL
Starting Point and End Point: Fort William
Meeting time: 10:00am
End Time: no later than 1.30pm
Alternatively, you can meet us at Mallaig at 11:30am.
Check out our guide for travel inspiration on how to reach us!
PAYMENTS
£185 deposit required at the time of booking
Your deposit is non-refundable unless UK Government restrictions prevent us from running the trip.
The remaining balance is due 45 days before your trip start date.
Booking Terms and Conditions
QUESTIONS?
We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please check our FAQ’s before getting in touch as we’ve likely already answered it!
Important Booking Notes:
You must have paddleboarding experience and be comfortable paddleboarding into the wind, demonstrate good control of the board and be confident in choppy waters. This location can have more challenging conditions.
There may be midges around at this time of the year. We will provide nets and advise on repellent.
We will make with every effort to paddleboard the route to Knoydart, if the conditions are unsafe we may need to do alternative paddleboarding adventures and paddle in different locations.
We will camp in rain or shine, however, if it is unsafe we may use bunkhouses. This is not included in the cost, it would be around £20 a night.
FAQS
SCOTLAND WILD SUP ADVENTURE
As well as these FAQs please also read our blog post which covers everything from travel logistics, packing lists, camping and health and safety.
PACKING LIST
KIT
Sleeping Bag (3 season)
Sleeping Mat (inflatable is best)
Head torch (including spare batteries)
Mug (plastic or metal)
Spoon / spork
Wetsuit boots or beach shoes (with sole to walk in on rough ground)
Inflatable/camping pillow (optional)
Water bottle (1/2ltr)
HYGIENE
Wash kit including toilet roll etc (please ensure any soap is biodegradable)
Towel (Microfibre/fast drying)
Suncream (waterproof)
Any prescription medication
Midge repellent
CLOTHING
Cap
Warm hat
Swimwear
Sunglasses
Trainers / boots for dry land (waterproof recommended)
Waterproof trousers
Insulated jacket
Warm clothing for the evenings (base layers, fleeces, warm trousers)
Gloves/Mittens (if you feel the cold)
Sleepwear
Watershoes - Wetsuit booties, neoprene shoes.
OTHER STUFF
Camera (waterproof, remember GoPros sink without a float)