Image / Google Imagen
Start from Kylesku and set out to paddle, sail or explore the Assynt coast. This guide gathers the best Kylesku outdoor activities, from calm Loch Ewe canoe trips to sea kayak runs past the Summer Isles, plus beginner friendly SUP hire and wildlife RIB outings from nearby Ullapool. You will find practical details for different abilities, family friendly options, and suggestions for pairing a day on the water with short coastal walks or a local golf round. Use your hotel as a base to return to, warm up and plan the next outing, whether you want a gentle paddle or a full North Coast 500 adventure day.
Explore Ullapool on foot, led by local guides who know the hills and coast.
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What to expect
Expect carefully planned routes and practical logistics taken care of, so you can focus on the landscape and company. Guides adapt pace and terrain to the group, suggest wildlife stops, and organise transport for linear walks. Evenings often include local accommodation and recommended places to eat, giving a fuller Highland experience.
Plan your visit
Book in advance and tell the guides about fitness, any mobility concerns, and interests you want included. Pack layers, waterproofs and sturdy boots, plus snacks and a refillable water bottle. If you are travelling the NC500, plan a day with McKenzie as a scenic stop, and ask about linear routes or pickups to simplify travel.
Image / ewecanoe.co.uk
Hands-on kayaking on Loch Ewe with a local guide
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What to expect
You will be with a single group and a single guide, so the session is personalised to your pace and ambitions. Trips range from gentle loch paddles to coastal excursions, with clear tuition, safety kit provided and family-friendly activities for children. Wildlife sightings are common, and Conor often shares local stories, shows edible seaweeds and takes photos for you to keep.
Plan your visit
Book directly and tell Conor your group size and experience level so he can pick the right location. Wear layers you can get wet, sturdy shoes, and bring a spare set of clothes and a towel. A waterproof camera or phone in a dry bag is useful. Equipment and buoyancy aids are provided. The operator meets you at an agreed launch point, and sessions are private, so you can tailor the pace and activities.
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Paddle into the wild edge of the Highlands.
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What to expect
A clear safety briefing and kit fitting at the start, followed by step-by-step coaching on the water. Guides set a comfortable pace and point out seals, diving birds and coastal plants. Trips mix sheltered paddling with short stretches of open sea, with opportunities to land, stretch your legs and try simple foraging where allowed.
Plan your visit
Book in advance to secure a place and state your experience level. Dress in layers and bring a small dry bag for essentials. Wear footwear that can get wet and a warm mid-layer for when you stop. Tell the operator about any mobility or medical needs before you arrive. Expect weather-based decisions, so have flexible plans and a backup activity nearby.
Image / www.connelloutdoorpursuits.com
Aim true, throw well, and take in the Highland air.
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What to expect
You will meet a professional instructor who explains technique and safety, then practise at a purpose-built outdoor range. Sessions are suitable for complete beginners and for experienced archers who want a warm, local welcome and extra practice. Equipment is high quality and adjusted to individual ability. The setting opens onto wide Highland views, so expect fresh air, open sky and a relaxed pace.
Plan your visit
Book in advance to secure a spot and tell the team your group size and experience level. Wear weatherproof layers and flat-soled footwear. If you are travelling from nearby towns, allow a short drive; some visitors combine a session with a stroll in Dornoch. Contact the provider beforehand for meeting instructions and any accessibility questions.
Image / Ullapool Harbour Trust
Paddle out from Ullapool’s harbour and feel the Highlands close in.
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What to expect
Expect clear, practical instruction and all kit provided. Lessons pace well for beginners, with games and gentle coaching to build confidence. Instructors know local tides and shelter, so routes are chosen for current conditions. Groups are mixed: families, solo travellers and friends all find it accessible and sociable.
Plan your visit
Book in advance during summer weekends to secure your slot. Bring swimwear, warm layers and a towel, and put anything valuable in a dry bag. Tell the team your experience level when you book so they can match the lesson or hire to you. Combine a session with a short coastal walk or a relaxed lunch in town for a full day out.
Image / Ullapool Golf Club
Play beside Loch Broom, then warm up in a friendly clubhouse.
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What to expect
Wind-swept links-style holes that demand careful shot placement rather than blasting off with the driver. Holes beside Loch Broom offer wide sea views and open fairways. The greens are well kept, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming whether you are a visitor or a local player.
Plan your visit
Turn up ready to play or drop into the clubhouse first. Equipment hire is often available on an honesty basis, so check at the clubhouse if you need clubs or balls. Combine a round with a stop for breakfast or lunch, the clubhouse menu is casual and open to non-members. Wear windproof layers and shoes suited to uneven ground.
Image / www.sea-scape.uk
Set out from Ullapool and meet seals, dolphins and sea eagles at sea
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What to expect
You travel on a fast RIB with a small, knowledgeable crew who point out wildlife and coastal features. Expect close encounters with playful dolphins and harbour porpoises, seals hauled out on rocks, and seabirds including white-tailed sea eagles when they are around. Weather can feel sharp on the water, so the operator issues warm, waterproof overalls and life jackets. Trips are lively and wet in places, so bring a sense of adventure and a spare dry layer.
Plan your visit
Book ahead in summer, especially for the longer excursions. Wear warm base layers and bring gloves and a waterproof phone case, although overalls and life jackets are supplied. The trips are dog friendly, but check in advance. If you have limited mobility or severe sea-sickness, contact the operator to discuss suitability; RIB boarding and the open sea can be challenging. Aim to arrive at the harbour a little early so briefing and kit fitting run smoothly.
Image / Top 100 Golf Courses
Golf at the cliff edge of the NC500
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What to expect
Expect a rugged, scenic round rather than a manicured parkland experience. Greens are well kept and the course uses different pin positions to vary play, so nine holes can feel like two very different rounds. Wind and uneven ground add challenge, wildflowers grow in the rough and some tee shots play toward sheer cliff drops and the sea. The team who run the club are friendly and practical, making it an easy stop on the NC500.
Plan your visit
Check the weather before you travel and pack waterproofs and a warm layer. Bring spare balls and sensible footwear for uneven ground. If wind is strong consider a buggy or a more cautious tee selection. The clubhouse offers a straightforward welcome and a small selection of merch, though popular items can sell out. Combine your round with other NC500 stops so you can relax and savour the coastal views afterwards.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
Highland Coast Hotels is a collection of hotels across the Scottish Highlands, from Inverness to the far north coast. Each property sits within the landscape, with warm rooms, honest food and local knowledge at every stop on the North Coast 500. Choose your hotel and start planning your trip.
