Paddle and Plunge

Paddle and Plunge

Paddle and Plunge is a luxury adventure with a wild edge — combining sea kayaking to remote, stunning locations in the north-west Highlands and Islands, the thrill of open-water swimming when you arrive, and indulging in a relaxing sauna at the end of the day. This is about experiencing Scotland’s raw beauty up close, with expert guidance, comfort where it counts, and a spirit of exploration throughout.

Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is the perfect way to journey and reach these hard to get to places and secret beaches.

The sea kayaking is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners. You’ll receive expert instruction and coaching from two advanced sea kayak coaches, Alison French and Ali Rose. They know these coastal areas intimately.

Sea Swimming
Sea swimming adds an elemental side to your paddling adventure. After your sea kayaking efforts, immerse yourself in your surroundings with a sea swim with our guest swim guide and open water coach Norma Macleod from Immerse Hebrides. If this is your first sea swim we can cater for this. There will also be opportunity for a more challenging swim and technique instruction for those who wish.

All swims will be curated to compliment your kayak adventure but carefully assessed to be in line with your ability. Your safety is paramount.

Relaxation in style
After your day of activities, we can cosy up in front of an open fire, or enjoy another plunge – into the wood-fired hot tub. Then the sauna awaits for even more relaxation and cleansing.

There may also be the opportunity to participate in a steam and herb sauna bathing ritual with Norma, who is also a qualified Saunamaster. This cleansing ritual with seasonal leaves and herbs takes you through the seasons with leaf whisking, natural aromatherapy & steam and can place you in a relaxed and meditative state.

Accommodation
Your luxury accommodation for the week is Coillemore House, a stylish Scottish manor house set in the National Trust for Scotland’s Balmacara Estate. It has sea views across Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye, which is just 10 minutes away. Our basecamp is perfectly placed for us to explore and access the best waters for us to paddle and plunge.

Dining
Evening meals will be home cooked and served to you by local chef Lynne Kennedy. With the exception of one night where we enjoy locally made fish and chips from our famous ‘Shonzey’.

Breakfast ingredients will be available for you to prepare your own breakfast in the well equipped and spacious kitchen of Coillemore House.

Sandwich packed lunches will be pre-prepared for you.

What’s included?

• • Full sea kayak instruction and coaching
  • Sea Swimming guidance and support
  • Sea swimming equipment – floats
  • Luxury accommodation
  • Wood-fired hot tub
  • Sauna
  • One group steam and herb bath ritual led by Norma
  • All evening meals
  • Breakfast ingredients
  • Daily ‘elevenses’ – the famous Sea Kayak Plockton flapjack
  • Sandwich packed lunches

Guest Open Water Swim Coach – Norma Macleod
After 18 years in the NHS, Norma trained to become and Open Water Coach and subsequently founded Immerse Hebrides a sea-swimming business in 2019. Immerse Hebrides now offers wellness activities in, on or beside the sea, together with whale & dolphin tours, the Saltbox Sauna coastal wild spa and wellness retreats. All in the spectacular Outer Hebrides.

As an ex-competitive pool swimmer, Norma’s expertise is specifically sea swimming with advanced knowledge in tidal open water swimming. She is also a Saunamaster with the International Bath Academy offering herbal & natural treatments through steam in the sauna.