About us

The team at Sea to Skye are all passionate about the natural environment and history of the area.  Our aim is to help you explore in a safe and sustainable way, whether it is your first time sea kayaking or you wish to develop your skills and knowledge.  We want you to get the most out of your time with us and will take the time to find out what you want.

Willie Fraser

Hill Walking & Kayaking

Willie was brought up on the Applecross Penisula before leaving School to work for the National Trust for Scotland, as a ranger. He has more than 30 year’s experience estate management and still works at Kintail as a Senior Ranger, where he developed an extensive outdoor activity programme with the ranger service, integrating adventure activities with environment education and conservation work.

Willie holds the Summer Mountain Leader award and is a member of the Kintail Mountain Rescue, including 8 years as Team Leader and 10 years as a member of the Search and Recue Dog Association.

He is an advanced sea kayak leader (formerly 5 star leader) and is a Level 3 Kayak Coach. He has led kayaking trips through-out Scotland and Canada including the Haida Gwaii and the Broughton Islands Archipelago in British Columbia.

Lara Hinde

Kayaking and Hill Walking

Lara initially trained as an Architect and spent time working in Chile. She later went back to Chile on an expedition reaching 6,900m and got the bug for the outdoors. After working as an Architect for many years she changed careers, attending Plas y Brenin before moving to Skye to work in an outdoor centre. Lara is now course tutor for the Certificate in Outdoor Adventure for the University of Highlands and Islands at their Broadford base here on Skye where she uses her skills to build confidence in others in the outdoor environment.

Lara is a passionate Sea Kayaker and holds Advanced Water Sea Kayak Leader, UKCC Level 2 Kayak and Canoe Coach, Winter Mountain Leader and Single Pitch Award (Rock Climbing Instructor). She is also a keen caver and holds the Local Cave and Mine Leader Level 1 Award.  She is deputy leader of Kintail Mountain Rescue Team.

Graeme Hodgson

Kayaking, Caving, Photography and Hill Walking

Graeme began kayaking and caving at an early age. After gaining a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from Liverpool University he spent 30 years in Cumbria Police and latterly headed up the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit. Now retired from his first career he is able to share his passions for wildlife, kayaking, caving, mountains and photography.

Graeme is an Advanced Water Sea Kayak Leader, holder of the Level 2 Local Cave and Mine Leader Award and Summer Mountain Leader Award.  He has caved extensively in the UK, Eire and Northern Spain and explored the coasts and islands of the UK by sea kayak. He is currently studying for an HNC in Photography and is a member of the Kintail Mountain Rescue Team.

Some nice comments…

A very enjoyable day

We had a very enjoyable day. It is a great experience for all ages. We saw lots of seals and other interesting sights. Willie (our guide) was brilliant, very knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

 

Toby Hubbard, 2020

The tuition was excellent

I took part in a wonderful four day trip with this company last year. The tuition was excellent. It was my first time on a trip like this and the guide made everything easy. The weather and scenery was outstanding. I would thoroughly recommend #seatoskyexperience.

 

Marie Netherwood, 2020

Couldn’t recommend this enough

I couldn’t recommend this enough!! We went on a Kayaking day trip as novices. Willie our guide was fantastic!! We got to grips with the kayak super quick thanks to his instruction and we were off to explore the most extraordinary scenery and wildlife!! Willie was there to give advice when needed but also to give us some insight on the wonderful area we were in. We stopped at a great little secluded beach for lunch and saw seals!! AMAZING! Thankyou Willie! We will be doing this again when back up in Scotland!!!

 

Danielle Gadd, 2020

2 day adventure

We spent 2 days with Willie. First day was full day kayaking. Great equipment and instruction. Very knowledgeable about the the local ecology and a great teacher. Nice lunch on a secluded beach. Second day was a mountain bike tour of the Plockton area on some mostly easy single track and quiet roads. Again he taught us a lot about everything from Scottish history, politics, geology, and plants and animals of the area all while we got some fun bike riding in. Thanks Willie!

 

C ONeill, 2020

First Class

1st Class kayaking and mountain guiding on the west coast of Scotland, Excellent local knowledge and kayaks. I have been returning every year since 2011 for adventures. Cheers

 

Marcus Francis, 2019

First class instructor

First class instructor… I asked a few businesses for an experience in a canoe and Willie came across the most genuine and helpful. We had limited ability but Willies simple instruction made things very easy. Our equipment was first class and I felt comfortable in the canoe with the wetsuit and other things. We had a perfect day condition wise so we were lucky on that front. We headed up to Eileen Donan Castle a perfect setting. The tide was getting low so the current wasn’t a difficult obstacle. We (3 of us) encountered some eddies, wake surge from a fishing vessel and then came in on an incoming tide. We saw some Porpoise, seals and Heron which was awesome Willie spotted these before us so he is on the ball 😉 I cannot highly recommend him enough a great bloke very friendly and a joy to be with felt safe all the time. Best wishes!

 

Brian Hurst, 2018

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