Kayaking in the Ross of Mull, Iona and Staffa

July 22, 2023

Achaban House has become a popular destination for kayaking groups wishing to explore the exciting and beautiful coastline around the Ross of Mull. The peninsula offers sheltered sections of coastline to provide various great options depending on the whims of the Hebridean breeze. Meanwhile, the offshore islands of Iona, Staffa, Treshnish, and other less known islands and skerries, add further attraction.

We were delighted to host the intrepid members of the Portsmouth Canoe Club for a week in June this year. The Club members managed to get on the water for every day of their week-long stay, and explored several of the islands and some of the more remote beaches by kayak. The trips undertaken by various ‘pods’ included circumnavigating the Isle of Iona; paddling from Fidden beach to the south of Iona and the small island of Soa; Fidden to the stunning Isle of Staffa; between the beautiful bays of Uisken and Traigh Bhan; an overnight expedition from Derryguaig to the West Coast of Ulva, and a final day of rolling and rescue practice and lounging on the beach at idyllic Traigh Gheal on the tidal Island of Erraid. An absolutely amazing collection of trips, taking in some of the most stunning coastline and seascapes you could imagine! Have a look at the gallery below of the beautiful images kindly sent in by Maggie Lorimer from the Portsmouth Canoe Club, which provides just a taste of their trip.

Achaban House is perfectly equipped as a base for kayakers. With 6 ensuite bedrooms, comfortable lounge and dining rooms, and a large and well-equipped kitchen, the house offers plenty of room, as well as great spaces for getting together to relax and plan. The effective central heating and plentiful hot water, along with wood-burning stoves, ensure you can get warm if you’ve had a chilly day on the waves. Better still, have a soak and relax in our log-fired hot tub! Outside there is ample room for kayak storage, a hose for washing down equipment and plenty of hanging space in the drying green. There is also a great drying room, just in case!

There are many ways to enjoy a kayak trip when based at Achaban House. If you are a kayaking club, or an informal group of kayaking friends, please get in touch and we’ll be very pleased to help you organise a trip. If you’d like to join a guided group with everything taken care of, then take a look at the highly rated Isle of Mull Sea-Kayaking Tours offered by Wilderness Scotland and based here at Achaban. Alternatively, if you are just part of a group visiting to generally explore this wonderful corner of the Hebrides, then you can book a day or half-day kayaking with highly-experienced local kayaker Jon Loyd at Bendoran Watersports.