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Wild Camping Advice

Choosing A Wild Camping Location

Some tips to consider for finding appropriate locations when planning a wild camping trip.

Kayaking Advice

Greenland Paddles vs. Euro Blades: Which is Right for You?

Let’s compare their history, benefits, and drawbacks to help you choose.

Wild Camping Advice

Is Solo Wild Camping Safe?

Feeling nervous about camping alone? Here are some tips to help you get out there.

Gear Talk / Kayaking Advice

Segla Gear Paddles

Following a year of heavy use, I’ve become an ambassador for Segla Gear kayak paddles!

Hiking Trips

The Lake District: A Return to Mickleden

A calming hike and overnight camp in Mickleden in Greater Langdale in the Lake District.

Featured / Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Neave Island, Eilean nan Ròn and the Rabbit Islands

A windy afternoon exploring several islands along the northern Scottish coast.

Featured / Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Strathy Point

A fabulous day exploring the large Strathy headland near Thurso in northern Scotland.

Gear Talk / Wild Camping Advice

My Summer Camping Gear

An overview of a typical lightweight camping setup that I’ll use for camping in the hills throughout the summer.

Kayaking Advice

Should you get a drysuit or a wetsuit for kayaking?

If you spend any time kayaking in cooler conditions, you’ve probably wondered whether you’d be better off in a wetsuit or a drysuit.

Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Duncansby Head

A rather exciting trip exploring the stretch of coast from Skirza to John O’Groats in the most northeastern corner of mainland Scotland.

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Hi, I'm Leigh and I love the outdoors! I'm a keen hiker and kayaker, as well as a BCU certified kayaking instructor and Level 3 Outdoor First Aider here in the UK.

I am an ambassador for Segla Gear kayaking paddles, and am also supported by Level Six paddling gear.

I love making outdoor videos of hiking and kayaking trips, and am also a bit of an outdoors gear nerd.

If you found anything on my site particularly useful and want to show some appreciation, feel free to Buy Me A Coffee!

peakandpaddleuk

An astonishing morning to wake up to today on Loch An astonishing morning to wake up to today on Loch Awe 😍 #kayaking #wildcamping #cloudinversion #lochawe
At atmospheric afternoon! I was followed by two cu At atmospheric afternoon! I was followed by two curious seals too #seakayaking #outdoorlife #paddling #seakayakingscotland
Snippets from the past few days 🥰 #kayaking #kayak Snippets from the past few days 🥰 #kayaking #kayakcamping #wildcamping #seakayaks
Yesterday was a beautifully calm day spent cruisin Yesterday was a beautifully calm day spent cruising around the many islands here in the south of the loch #kayaking #phseakayaks #paddling #kayakadventure
Home for the next day or two! #kayakcamping #wildc Home for the next day or two! #kayakcamping #wildcamping #hilleberg
A grand wintry day out on the water in the English A grand wintry day out on the water in the English Lake District with my new Segla Gear Narwhal paddle, which has unexpectedly taken over my Ikigai as my favourite paddle 😍 #kayaking #paddling #seakayaks #outdoorlife
Bliss! I know this looks like AI but it’s real! He Bliss! I know this looks like AI but it’s real! Heading back down towards the southern shoreline of the loch from Aird Trilleachan #seakayaking #kayaking #outdoors #outdoorlife #visitscotland
The most perfect weekend and the ultimate weekend The most perfect weekend and the ultimate weekend kayak #seakayaking #outdoorlife #kayakadventures #wildcamping #visitscotland @phseakayaks @seglagear @levelsix
Yesterday I released my latest short film, a weeke Yesterday I released my latest short film, a weekend trip of gentle paddling, sightseeing and camping on beautiful Loch Etive, a sea loch in western Scotland. The film focuses on the area, as well as the way that places like this make us feel. I hope you’ll take some time out of your day to watch it (my channel is linked from my Insta page) #seakayaking #adventure #wildcamping #kayaking
Shots from a perfect weekend #seakayaking #locheti Shots from a perfect weekend #seakayaking #lochetive #wildcamping #kayakadventure #kayaking
A trailer of sorts for my upcoming video 🙂 #seakay A trailer of sorts for my upcoming video 🙂 #seakayaking #wildcamping #kayaking
I’m almost finished editing my short film of a per I’m almost finished editing my short film of a perfect weekend in Scotland! #seakayaking #wildcamping #outdoorlife
Some stills from my next video, of an absolutely p Some stills from my next video, of an absolutely perfect long weekend in Scotland. And a very special collaboration! #seakayaking #phseakayaks #wildcamping #kayakcamping
A sublime day on Loch Etive #seakayaking #kayaking A sublime day on Loch Etive #seakayaking #kayaking #paddling #outdoorlife
A perfect day in Scotland #seakayaking #wildcampin A perfect day in Scotland #seakayaking #wildcamping #kayakcamping #outdoorlife
Is this heaven? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #seakayaking #kayaking #ou Is this heaven? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #seakayaking #kayaking #outdoors #phseakayaks
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to wish each and every on HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful 2026. Thanks to @seglagear @levelsix and @phseakayaks for being awesome 🙌
Let’s go adventuring 🥳 Here are a few highlights from 2025 #kayaking #wildcamping #hiking #outdoorlife
The incredible winter colour palette of Greater La The incredible winter colour palette of Greater Langdale in the Lake District #lakedistrictuk #hiking #outdoors #landscape #outdoorlover
Another gorgeous night in the fells 🥰 #wildcamping Another gorgeous night in the fells 🥰 #wildcamping #lakedistrict #hiking #outdoorisfree
Mornings like these 😍 #wildcamping #outdoors #hiki Mornings like these 😍 #wildcamping #outdoors #hiking
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Come along on an absolutely perfect weekend of paddling and camping in one of my favourite places, the beautiful Loch Etive in western Scotland. This film is a love letter to both kayaking, as well as the outdoors and how it makes me feel, and I hope it resonates with all of you.

I was joined on this trip by @donnywilcox  and you can watch his video of the trip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJL3buRzBts

I paddled the P&H Volan 158 sea kayak for this trip, a perfect weekender kayak for the mid sized paddler.

1:00 Taynuilt
4:50 Rubha Barr
6:24 Day Two
7:17 Walk Up The Glen
8:40 Heading Up The Loch
11:37 Aird Trilleachan
13:48 Ruins at Inverghiusachan
14:43 Evening Light
16:20 Day Three
17:45 Heading Back Down The Loch
19:00 The Seals Of Inverliver

#seakayaking #wildcamping #kayakadventure
Being Here: Winter Sea Kayaking on Loch Etive in Scotland
With the last of autumn's colours fading into winter, I found myself strolling and enjoying the textures, smells and sounds of the woodland here in the Chilterns, where I live, its mixture of coniferous and broad-leafed trees a vibrant contrast of reds and greens, the snap of twigs and crunch of dead leaves deeply satisfying underfoot.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#silenthiking #wildcamping #outdoors #hiking
Calming, Silent Hiking in the Chiltern Hills | Buckinghamshire, England
When I made my first video last summer, I never would have thought that many people would want to watch a shy, 40-something woman paddling and ambling around, so thank you to everyone who tuned in to watch in 2025! Here is my end of year highlight reel.

I used to think you had to go off on big expeditions to have adventures, but anyone can have a micro adventure. Just plan your route, pack your bag, and go out there. Disconnect from the hustle and bustle, and go find yourself again 😄
Stop Scrolling and Go Outside #microadventures #wildcamping #kayaking
A quiet, gentle weekend enjoying the two western valleys of Great Langdale, following the paths through Oxendale and Mickleden, hiking amidst autumn colours, the sound of the rivers and the shifting clouds. 

Conditions on the first day sadly cut filming short in the late afternoon, and persistently poor weather for the rest of the weekend presented some challenges, but I hope that this video will fill you with a sense of peace and calm. Mickleden, in particular, is one of my favourite parts of the Lake District, and the atmospheric conditions throughout the Saturday were absolutely wonderful, really showcasing the last days of autumn.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#hiking #thelakedistrict #wildcamping
Gentle, Silent Hiking in the Lake District | Great Langdale
A gentle sea kayaking outing along one of my favourite sections of the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, launching from Cwm-Yr-Eglwys and paddling into Newport Bay. Calm swells, rugged cliffs, and good company made for a perfect day on the water.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#seakayaking #pembrokeshire #kayaking
Sea Kayaking around Cwm-Yr-Eglwys in Newport Bay | Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
A memorable night and morning in Eryri, Wales
Moments Like These #wildcamping #hiking #clouds
Just down the road from the heaving peaks of the Glyders and the Carneddau lies a quieter, often overlooked mountain, Crimpiau. Though modest in size, it more than makes up for it with breathtaking 360º views across the Eryri skyline. 

From Capel Curig, I took the long, winding way up, following part of the Snowdonia Slate Trail as it wandered through the undulating landscape before the short, steep climb to the summit. A calm night alone at the top gave way to an unforgettable morning, as the valleys below filled with a sea of cloud. A truly unforgettable autumn trip.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#wildcamping #silenthiking #hiking
Peaceful, Silent Hiking in Eryri/Snowdonia | Incredible Cloud Inversion
"Cinematic" isn't about the camera or settings you use, it's about the way you create your video. Thinking about composition, timing and your surroundings is crucial. You want to convey to the viewer exactly how it felt to be there. When filming hiking videos, we don't have the luxury of waiting for the ideal lighting, as we have to progress with the journey, but here are a few tips to consider when you're out filming your adventures.
Five Tips for Cinematic Hiking Videos #cinematic #outdoors #hikingadventures
Come along for the ride as we paddle around Neave Island, Eilean nan Ròn and the Rabbit Islands in Northern Scotland. Launching from Skerray, we paddle across to the islands one by one, and explore caves, sandy beaches, arches, a ruined harbour, and plenty of impressive cliffs, before finishing at Talmine Bay. 

This is a fabulous area with incredibly geology and an abundance of sea life. Definitely a top destination for sea kayakers!

00:00 Intro and route map
00:35 Neave Island cave
01:17 Port Gaineamhach
02:21 Srón à Bhàgh
04:15 Poll Tuaireapach
04:36 Back along the mainland
05:54 Rubha Geal
06:14 Eilean Nan Ròn, Mol Na Coinnle
06:59 Port Na H-Uaille
07:46 Cnoc Na Caillich
08:36 Càrn Talmhuinn
10:51 Mol Mòr
11:23 Port Na H-Innse
11:55 Sgeir An Òir
13:17 Talmine

This is a classic Scottish paddling trip outlined in Doug Cooper's excellent Scottish Sea Kayaking book.

I've created subtitles for those who, like me, don't hear as well as we used to! 

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#seakayaking #kayak #kayakadventures
Sea Kayaking Eilean Nan Ron in Northern Scotland (Narrated)
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