Loch Shiel and Loch Moidart 2024
This challenging wilderness trip explores one of the most pristine natural areas of Scotland. We will journey into a remote region of lochs and mountains journeying by canoe and wild camping by night.
We will enjoy an inherently flexible itinerary and plan our trip day by day as we travel based on the conditions. This is a true wilderness trip, a long way from the nearest road or town and we are unlikely to meet other people during our adventure. At night we wild camp where we please on small islands and sandy coves, enjoying the spectacular views all around.
This trip is suitable for people with some previous experience in canoeing and have a good level of fitness. This is a very physically demanding trip as we canoe on wild lochs, hike remote routes on rough ground, portage our boats from loch to loch and camp in wild terrain. We will be active for up to 8 hours each day. The canoeing will be on flat-water lochs but this can be challenging in windy conditions and we may experience some waves. We will also portage our canoes over a short portage and paddle on the shiel river for a short distance.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are appropriately fit and capable for the grade of the trip you wish to join. The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable at times which can make activities more challenging, so please bear this in mind when booking. If our guides at any point feel you cannot complete a scheduled activity, they may ask you not to join that day; this would be for your safety and the well-being of the group. If you are unsure about your ability, please don’t hesitate to give our Adventure Consultants a call.
On this trip we wild camp in spectacular locations. These are often remote and hard to reach on foot alone, adding to their appeal. We provide tents and also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement.
Your Equal Adventure Mentor will guide and coach you through your journey to help you develop your independence and safe efficient performance. As with all great adventure plans thinking ahead helps, so we would ask you to help us understand your needs prior to the journey so that you can make the most of your time in the wilderness.
On this trip, we wild camp beside the river each night. We provide tents and also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. If you require a single tent we are happy to provide this, but otherwise, we do ask that those who are happy to share a tent with other travellers do so. This helps to keep our camp size small, giving us more options of where to pitch and reducing our environmental impact on these precious places.
- Accommodation Type – Supported Wilderness Camping
- Geographical Area – West Highlands Scotland
- Nights Accommodation – 5
- Days Activity: 6
- Price From (£) 670.00
- Deposit (£) 250.00
- Min Group Size: 6
- Max Group Size: 8
- Guide Ratio 1:4
- Carbon Footprint: Low Impact
- Inclusion
- Leave No Trace
- Cultural Respect
Day by Day Itinerary (dependent on weather and water levels).
Day 1 – Meet Fort William, transfer to Glenfinnan
This morning we will meet in Fort William and then transfer to Glenfinnan and our put-in at the head of Loch Shiel. Lunchtime will provide an opportunity to visit the renowned GlenFinnan Viaduct (of Harry Potter fame) and the Jacobite Memorial to Bonny Prince Charlie and the 1775 rebellion. After loading the boats with everything we need for the following days of adventure we take to the water and paddle to our first camp-site, surrounded by wild country and towering mountains. (L, D)
Day 2 – Paddling Loch Shiel
Explore Loch Shiel making use of weather and water conditions and inspired by nature and imagination.
Day 3 – Paddling Loch Shiel and into Loch Moidart
Explore Loch Moidartmaking use of weather and water conditions and inspired by nature and imagination.
Day 4 – Exploring Loch Moidart
Explore Loch Moidart making use of weather and water conditions and inspired by nature and imagination.
Day 5 – Return to Inverness
On our final morning we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast and maybe a final short paddle before we start the drive back through the Highlands to Fort William, arriving early afternoon. (B, L)
Note –
This trip is very water dependent and there may be times when we have to end our Loch Shiel crossing at other places on the Loch Shiel Journey due to the safety of group participants. In this case we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.
- 5 nights wild camping.
- All meals, from lunch on day of arrival through to breakfast on day of departure. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing at Fort William Railway Station.
- The services of experienced and knowledgeable canoe guides / driver throughout your trip.
- All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking/eating equipment and utensils. Please note that sleeping bags are not included but are available for hire.
- All specialist open canoe equipment, including canoes and buoyancy aids.
Great food is essential to all our trips and expeditions are no different. While the guide will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after long days. We will carry plenty of food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking. Included dinners are two courses as standard.
A full equipment list will be sent to you on your booking.
Prior to your journey the EA team will work with you to ensure that you are reasonably prepared for your venture. This will will include advice on pre and post journey booking and travel.
We guarantee that this journey will run as long as six people are booked. There are a maximim of eight places on this journey.
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- We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 6 people have booked
- Maximum of 8 places available per departure.
Please note: The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Equal Adventure Mentor with regard to weather conditions and other factors
