Glenfinnan, Glenuig & Arisaig

I booked this trip after a break-up to spend some time with the real love of my life - Scotland! I'd been to Arisaig once before, on that occasion it was just somewhere to aim for so I could take the train up the West Highland Line and enjoy the views, I didn't expect Arisaig to captivate me the way it did. After seeing kayakers out in Arisaig bay everyday I vowed to go back and try sea kayaking myself, this seemed like the perfect time, nothing cures a broken heart like a new challenge!

I lucked out with the weather, it was scorching the entire trip and Scotland was truly looking at it's best. I took the train to Glenfinnan and cycled to Glenuig where I stayed at the great (and also green) Glenuig Inn. The next day I cycled to Arisaig and after a nice cool swim at Camusdarach beach I checked into The Old Library Lodge; my accommodation turned out to be a brilliant room in the garden with it's own patio. That night I walked along the shore and saw a slightly terrifying sign providing information on the local wildlife including Orcas! I'd love to see an Orca from a (large) ferry, but not from a kayak and this is something I genuinely fear!

The next morning I set off for my first ever kayaking trip with Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre (very safe hands) and spent four glorious hours kayaking around the Arisaig Skerries. I was amazed how quickly our group got the hang of it (apart from one poor chap who fell in the water whist trying to get into his kayak), we were soon sailing through the little clusters of islands with seals swimming all around us.

Once back on dry land I settled into a seat outside the Arisaig Hotel and enjoyed a beer before boarding the train home, which was, as usual, total heaven! I sat glued to the window watching the sun gradually set and saw deer running alongside the train, it was another of those memorable journeys Scotland so often serves up, the perfect antidote to a broken heart.