Welcome to Explore Highland
Explore Highland offer’s bespoke canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding experiences in the Scottish Highlands.
Based in Inverness, Explore Highland run by Donald Macpherson offers a wide range of paddle sport activities for all ages, fitness levels and abilities. Paddling throughout the year Explore Highland services include boat & equipment hire, guided half, day and multi-day trips, plus able to deliver national governing body qualifications and skills courses.
Always aiming to offer a personal paddling experience, Donald is known as the local paddling expert and ambassador of the sport. Offering his professional services, ensuring you get the most out of your paddling adventure. The Highlands are renowned for its stunning landscape, scenery & wildlife which is just waiting for you to explore with our great kit.
The 2020 touring fleet will include;
- Hou 16′ Prospector canoes x6 (for hire & guided trips
- Wavesport Horizon Tandem kayaks x4 (for guided trips only)
- Red Paddle Co Voyager 12’6 paddleboards x6 (for guided trips only)
Donald is available to coach other activities with his own personal fleet;
- Wenonah 15′ Prospector Royalex/Oak canoe
- P&H Cetus MV Kevlar custom sea kayak
- Wavesport Diesel 80 whitewater kayak
Come paddle with Donald and explore the Scottish Highlands are first hand!
Explore Highland Services:
Donald can offer a wide range of paddlesport services within the Scottish Highlands, and regularly venture further afield;
- Open canoeing, sea kayaking and stand up paddling adventure holidays
- Canoe Hire and shuttle services for the Great Glen Canoe Trail, River Spey and Glen Affric areas
- Family-friendly four-hour Paddle Loch Ness trips using tandem kayaks
- Stunning four-hour Paddle Aigas Gorge adventure using tandem open canoes
- Half day, full day & multi-day bespoke guided paddling trips for small & large groups
Paddlesport Course, Trips & Adventure Specialist
Explore Highland offers various day, weekend & week long adventures throughout the year throughout the Highlands & Islands.
Open Canoe Trips & Adventures 2020
- Introduction to Open Canoeing, (22 March or 21 June)
- Open Water Skills Weekend, (29-30 August)
- Moving Water Skills Weekend, (26-27 September)
- Whitewater Skills Weekend, (31 October – 1 November)
- Great Glen Canoe Trail, (6-10 Apr, 6-10 July & 18-21 Sept)
- River Spey, (8-10 May, 11-14 August, 19-23 October)
Sea Kayak Trips & Adventures 2020
- Improver Skills Weekend, (2-3 May)
- Intermediate Skills Weekend, (12-13 September)
- Explore Summer Isles, (4-7 June)
- Explore Knoydart, (30 July – 2 August)
- Explore Isle of Skye, (3-6 September)
Whitewater Kayaking Weekends 2020
- Improver Skills Weekend, (8-9 February)
- Intermediate Skills Weekend, (22-23 February)
- Advanced Skills Weekend, (7-8 March)
- Perthshire Rivers Weekend, (9-11 October)
- Lochaber Rivers Weekend, (16-18 October)
Stand Up Paddling Trips & Adventures 2020
- Introduction to Stand Up Paddling, (20 March, 18 April or 23 May)
- SUP Skills Weekend, (30-31 May)
- SUP Loch Ness Weekend, (13-14 June)
- SUP North West Adventure, (14-16 July)
- SUP Isle of Skye, (4-6 August)
These adventures are led by Donald Macpherson who is a highly experienced multi-discipline paddlesports coach, guide, and author.
Bespoke holiday dates also available for group bookings.
As an ambassador for paddlesport, Donald’s local knowledge is invaluable in making your Scottish paddling adventure safe, fun and highly memorable.
Email Donald today to find out how he can help you explore the Highlands!
