People & Places
OBAN
Home of the best sea kayak shop in Scotland and the UK. For those who have kayaked a fair bit before they do offer full outfitting and lots of Demos.
Oban is well served by TRAIN, BUS and now SEA PLANE direct from the centre of Glasgow. Travel time usually about 2hrs.
Glasgow Airport is a similar distance and well connected by bus and train. Check out TravelineScotland . Edinburgh is your second choice airport, if you intend renting a car it doesnt make much difference.
Oban is the Gateway to the west coast of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Perfect for starting your sea kayaking course or holiday you can get in your sea kayak 50 metres from Oban train station. After 30 minutes Kayaking you can be kayaking with seals and otters on the west side of the island of Kerrera. Perfect for beginners sea Kayaking with plenty of sheltered water when its needed while experts will enjoy its famous tideraces and overfalls ( Falls of Lora and the Gulf of Corriewvreckan. Plentiful accommodation of all types and lots to do for all the family.
It is also well situated for the ideal whitewater kayaking course venue the River Awe. Dam controlled it runs at a great level all summer long from Loch Awe to the sea in Loch Etive.
ABERFELDY
Voted the best place to live in the uk! Nestled in the beautiful Highland Perthshire countryside it is a 5 star place to learn to kayak. near Pitlochry, Perth, Stirling, Dundee, Aviemore. It has mile after mile of easy white water which runs all summer long and a midge free and very sunny disposition. Its 1 1/2 hrs drive from Edinburgh airport and 2hrs from Glasgow airport. The nearest train station is Pitlochry 20 mins by Taxi and there are buses to Aberfeldy.
For those of you who would like to develop your skills there are some great Kayak play spots on the Tay and also some testing Dam controlled rivers which release for much of the summer and being right at the Heart of Scotland its not far to all the other rivers and some nice surf beaches. We also use Aberfeldy as the base for much of our Touring Programme. Spend 2-5 days canoeing or kayaking down the River Tay or across Rannoch Moor and down the Tummel or complete a River Spey Descent. Lots of other Activities in Aberfeldy ( mountain Biking , other watersports and walking and climbing )
When the kayaking is over there are great golf courses, pubs, hotels and the superb Watermill Book and Coffee shop. If you still have energy there are easy and high angle mountain bike rides.
PEOPLE
NKS was founded in 2003 by Stuart Wagstaff . BCU Level 5 Kayak Coach & Mountaineering Instructor. After years of travelling the World including First Descents of the two largest & longest rivers in the Nepalese Himalayas & Ascents of the 2 highest peaks in North and South America & the perfect summer on the inside passage of Vancouver Island. He now flits between Aberfeldy & Oban undecided about which is the best place to live. Trying hard to help him make up his mind is his partner Cathy Chedal who also helps him run NKS, Sea Kayak Oban & The Adventurers Escape Lodge.
Jon Haylock despite growing up in Surrey is as familar with the sea as you would expect from an Aspirant Level 5 Coach, who has worked "Sea Kayaking" in Pembrokeshire & North Uist, Chilean Patagonia & Baja, Mexico before coming to NKS 3yrs ago to lead courses all over Scotland. He has also represented Wales in a Surf Kayak & explored many of the steep creeks in the Scottish Highlands.
Jonny Eldridge has a wide experience on the Sea and Rivers and is on his way to becoming a great Kayaking Coach. His height gives him a much greater view of the Outdoors In his 1st season with NKS.
Laura Murphy seems equally at home on fresh or salt water. With her endless patience & +ve attitude she is the beginners perfect paddling mentor, in her third season with NKS.
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Edinburgh Sea Kayaking
We have been operating sea kayaking course in the Edinburgh area for the past 4 years. it is prone to strong easterly winds yet we know lots of excellent venues which work when it gets difficult. On good weather days we use a variety of venues to maximise your enjoyment and keep interest high as well as learning lots from our excellent sea kayaking Coaches.
We usually meet at 9.30am at a venue arranged a few days before to suit the weather and follow the Sea Kayaking Intro course format. These courses are an excellent day out for anyone considering taking up sea kayaking or just looking for something different to do for the day.
