General Expedition Information
Dates: 17th – 22nd May 2027; 5 days, 5 nights.
Cost:Total cost per person:
£1,610 per person Hostel and Glamping Pod accommodation
£1,410 per person camping / campervan with full facilities
(£500 deposit to secure your place; balances to be paid 12 weeks before the trip).
£150 per person rental of sea kayaking kit and equipment (if required).
Level: Improver, intermediate & advanced sea kayakers (see below for more information)
Number of kayakers: Maximum 8 guests plus 2 Advanced Sea Kayak Coaches
Accommodation: 5 nights at Moorcroft Holidays, Carnish, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5HN.
Kayaking arrangements and information
Itinerary: The exact itinerary for the expedition is dependent on the weather forecast for the week and a plan will be made for the week when we meet.
The options and routes are many and varied, and our aim is to paddle a wide variety so that we can truly enjoy and experience what the Outer Hebrides have to offer given the prevailing weather.
Examples of paddles: Sound of Harris; Vallay circumnavigation; sheltered lochs of Lochmaddy; Open crossing to the Monach Isles; Eriskay; sheltered channels around Grimsay and Benbecula.
Useful OS Landranger maps for the week are numbers 18 (Sound of Harris), 21 (Benbecula & South Uist), 31 (Barra & South Uist).
Kayak Level:
This expedition is aimed at paddlers who:
-
- Have completed at least one multi-day trip or formal training
- Are comfortable paddling 15–20km in a day
- Have experience that would enable them to paddle in winds of F3-4
- Want to develop confidence in more dynamic water and varied conditions
If you’re unsure whether this is the right level for you, just get in touch – we’re happy to advise.
Kayak coaches:
Ali Rose and Alison French
Kayaking gear:
We may encounter a range of weather and sea conditions so be prepared for most eventualities.
Please bring the following:
- Personal kayaking clothing and equipment, unless you have arranged rental with us (cost: see above).
- Kayak, paddle, spraydeck, buoyancy aid and helmet, unless you have arranged rental with us (cost £150).
- Kayak trolley if you have one. This might be useful, but is not essential. We can provide this for you if necessary.
- Drybags (we will bring a few spare ones).
- Lunches and snacks for 5 days paddling.
Accommodation Arrangements and information:
All accommodation options are self-catered:
Moorcroft Hostel – Warm & comfortable accommodation in a refurbished croft house. The hostel rooms are twin bedded, but single occupancy has been arranged. If you wish to book and share with a friend please let us know. Bedding is included, but please let us know if you wish to bring your own.
Bring 5 breakfasts, 5 evening meals.
Moorcroft Glamping pods – positioned to enjoy the spectacular views from the campsite overlooking a secluded tidal bay. The glamping pods are twin bedded, but single occupancy has been arranged. If you wish to book and share with a friend please let us know. is included, but pelase let us know if you wish to bring your own.
Bring 5 breakfast, 5 evening meals.
Moorcroft camping – with a modern heated amenities block, campers kitchen, laundry, wifi and hot showers included.
If you’re camping please bring:
- Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove, mug, dish, cutlery)
- Head torch, midge net, sun cream.
- Clothes to be worn at camp (including warm, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm hat, shoes) toiletries, camera, book or kindle, and other personal items.
More detailed information and advice on sleeping systems, cooking equipment and meal planning, can be found in our Camping Notes.
The legendary Sea Kayak Plockton flapjack will be provided for elevenses every day!
Travel and meeting up arrangements:
Meeting date/time: 19:00 Monday 17th May 2027.
Meeting place: Moorcroft Holidays, Carnish, North Uist, Outer Hebrides. HS6 5HN.
Travel: Calmac ferry, Uig (Skye) to Lochmaddy (North Uist). Please arrange your own ferry tickets. Be aware that the ferries do get very busy. Bookings for their summer timetable will become available February 2027.
Finnish: 15:00 Saturday 22nd May in order for guests to be able to catch the 16:45 ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig.
Accommodation: Accommodation will be booked for you 5 nights from Monday 17th May. Please let us know if you wish to make alternative accommodation arrangements, at your own expense, while we are based at Moorcroft Holidays.
Please make your own accommodation arrangements for accommodation before and after the trip if you wish to stay in the area for longer.
Hotels, Guest Houses and B&Bs can be found on the Visit Scotland