Scotland’s Summer Isles are a paradise for sea kayakers, offering a rugged and remote beauty that few places can match. Among them, Priest Island stands out as a truly wild and untamed destination, where dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and sea tunnels create an unforgettable paddling adventure.
Owned by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Priest Island is uninhabited and serves as a protected haven for seabirds and marine life. Its challenging location in open water, combined with its fascinating geology, makes it a dream for experienced kayakers looking for an expedition filled with exploration, wildlife, and adventure.
Our kayak journey to Priest Island was nothing short of spectacular. From paddling through sea-carved tunnels to encountering seals and seabirds up close, it was an experience that captured the raw, untamed spirit of Scotland’s west coast.
Getting to Priest Island – Access and Route
Located around six miles northwest of Ullapool, Priest Island sits on the outer edge of the Summer Isles, exposed to the open waters of the Minch. Its remoteness makes it a challenging yet rewarding destination for sea kayakers.
Access Points for Kayakers
🚣♂️ Launching from Old Dornie: A common starting point for sea kayakers exploring the Summer Isles. This route requires good weather conditions and strong paddling ability due to open crossings.
🚣♂️ Launching from Badentarbat Bay (Achiltibuie): A slightly shorter crossing but still requires caution due to exposure to swell and currents.
🚢 Nearby Boat Access: While kayaking offers the best way to explore the island’s hidden features, boat trips from Ullapool and Achiltibuie occasionally pass by.
⚠️ Important Note on Safety:
Priest Island sits near the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry route, meaning large vessels frequently pass through. Kayakers must be vigilant, visible, and avoid crossing in poor visibility conditions.
Paddling Around Priest Island – A Kayaker’s Dream
As we approached Priest Island, its jagged cliffs and rock stacks towered above us, shaped by thousands of years of wind and waves. The highlight of our trip was paddling through the island’s natural sea tunnels—a series of narrow, winding rock passages that felt like something out of another world.
Exploring the Sea Tunnels
These tunnels, carved by the relentless force of the ocean, offer a truly immersive experience for sea kayakers:
🔦 Echoing Waterways: As we paddled through, the sound of the waves reverberated off the walls, creating an eerie but magical effect.
🌊 Dramatic Light and Shadows: Sunlight filtering through the tunnels made the water glow in shades of deep blue and emerald green.
🌊 Tidal Flow Challenges: Some tunnels had strong currents flowing through them, requiring careful timing and paddle control to navigate safely.
Each tunnel brought new challenges and surprises, making it one of the most thrilling and rewarding parts of the trip.
Wildlife Encounters – Seals, Seabirds, and More
Priest Island’s isolation has made it a crucial sanctuary for wildlife, particularly seabirds and marine mammals. Throughout the journey, we were lucky enough to experience some incredible close-up encounters:
🦭 Curious Grey Seals: As we paddled, seals popped up from the water, watching us with their inquisitive dark eyes. Some followed us for a while, diving beneath our kayaks and resurfacing just a few metres away.
🦅 Seabird Spectacle: The towering cliffs of Priest Island are home to a variety of seabirds, including:
• Shags and cormorants drying their wings on the rocks
• Kittiwakes and guillemots nesting high on the cliff ledges
• Skua patrols, keeping a watchful eye on any unsuspecting prey
🦞 Underwater Wonders: Beneath the surface, the kelp forests were teeming with marine life, from crabs and starfish to shimmering shoals of fish weaving through the seaweed.
The lack of human disturbance on the island makes it a true haven for wildlife, adding another layer of magic to the trip.
The Challenges of Kayaking Priest Island
While the journey to Priest Island is incredibly rewarding, it does come with significant challenges:
⚠️ Exposed Open Water Crossing: The trip involves crossing a significant stretch of open water, meaning strong paddling skills and experience are necessary.
⚠️ Changing Weather Conditions: The west coast of Scotland is notorious for fast-moving weather fronts, so careful planning is essential.
⚠️ Limited Landing Spots: Due to its steep and rocky coastline, safe landing points on the island are few and far between, requiring good navigation skills.
⚠️ Ferry Traffic Awareness: The Stornoway to Ullapool ferry passes through these waters multiple times a day. Visibility is key, so a brightly coloured kayak and tow float are highly recommended.
Proper preparation, checking forecasts, and ensuring safety measures are in place make this a doable but serious kayaking adventure.
Respecting Priest Island – RSPB Conservation
Priest Island is owned by the RSPB, who manage it as a protected wildlife reserve. This means:
🚫 No landing is permitted on the island itself to protect nesting seabirds.
🐦 Avoid disturbing wildlife, particularly during the breeding season (spring to summer).
🗑️ Leave no trace—carry out everything you bring with you.
By respecting these guidelines, we help preserve the pristine environment and ensure that future paddlers can enjoy the same experience.
Final Thoughts – Why You Should Kayak Priest Island
For anyone looking for a true sea kayaking adventure, Priest Island offers a thrilling mix of challenge, exploration, and stunning scenery. From its sea tunnels and towering cliffs to its abundant wildlife and remote beauty, it’s a bucket-list paddle for those willing to take on the conditions.
This isn’t a trip for beginner kayakers, but for those with the experience, navigational skills, and a love of the wild, Priest Island is one of Scotland’s most rewarding kayak expeditions.
If you’re up for the challenge, prepare well, respect the wildlife, and soak in the magic of Scotland’s hidden coastal wonders. Sea Kayaking to Priest Island is one of the sea kayaking blogs on our site. Why not try – Sea kayak Gairloch.
Check out Highland Experiences pages for the tours we offer in the Highlands.