Sports & nature

These isles are alive with natural wonders – and experts who can get you close to the edge. From river-swims and packrafting to trail running and via ferrata, here are few great wilderness adventures:

Sea kayaking, Highlands of Scotland

Wilderness Scotland has an introductory kayaking trip in the Torridon region, which blends kayaking with gentle hiking, making it ideal for beginners and those looking to hone their paddling skills. As well as four days on the water, paddling past remote bays and the uninhabited islands of Scotland’s west coast, potentially spotting sea eagles and porpoises, the trip includes a guided walk from the village of Gairloch, a good place to spot whales.

Kite-buggying, East Sussex

Combining the skills of kite-flying and go-karting, kite-buggying is a thrilling way to spend a day at the beach, zipping across the sand at up to 50mph in a low three-wheeler. With miles of flat, open beach, Camber Sands is the ideal place to try this extreme sport. The Kitesurf Centre runs lessons with qualified instructors, teaching you everything from how to fly the kite to using it to power you along in the buggy, with options of 2½- and 4-hour courses.

Windsurfing, Norfolk

Fringed by gold sand beaches, the north coast of Norfolk boasts stellar windsurfing spots stretching from Hunstanton to Great Yarmouth. Beginners can learn in safe, shallow waters with Hunstanton Watersports, where initial lessons take place on a sheltered lake before you transfer your skills to the sea. Half-day, group taster sessions cover kit basics, as well as launching, landing, sailing across the wind and turning around. Equipment, wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided.

Snorkelling and wildlife

The Oban and Lorn coastline has an abundance of wildlife to discover, which you can do on a snorkel and wildlife tour with Basking Shark Scotland. Departing from Oban, the two-day tour (one-day tours for 2018 are sold out) is based on the 13 mile-long Isle of Coll, just off Mull, where there are 23 beaches and plenty of wildlife, including basking sharks, otters, grey seals, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. The most memorable encounters happen underwater, as you snorkel past starfish, sea-urchins, kelp forests and rays, with a guide and marine biologist on hand throughout.

Packrafting, Snowdonia

Packrafting – which involves trekking into the wilderness with a small, stowable boat in your rucksack – allows you to reach places that are normally too remote. Husband-and-wife team Jason and Marianne Taylor set up Tirio in 2017, offering options from half-day tours (ideal for families and those looking for a basic intro), to 25-mile multi-day trips with wild camping in secluded woodland in the Conwy valley – requiring a decent level of fitness to hike, paddle and carry around 12kg of equipment. ...and much more