Over the past two summers, I’ve dedicated my time to sea kayaking around the Hebrides in Scotland, exploring remote islands and recording the calls of seabirds. The heart of this solo sea expedition, The Call of the Loon, is my mission to capture the sounds of all of Scotland’s seabird species.
After paddling more than 800 miles and visiting countless colonies on wild, isolated shores, I’ve managed to record 25 of the 30 species on my list, including the bird that inspired the expedition’s name: the great northern diver, Gavia immer, also known as the loon.
Adventures and Challenges on a Sea Kayaking Expedition
Solo sea kayaking in the Hebrides can be both exhilarating and a little perilous. In 2024, a brief lapse of concentration saw my kayak drift away from shore, leaving me swimming in the cold waters off the Isle of Coll. The rescue ended with hypothermia, exhaustion, and an intervention by the Coastguard. Thankfully, my kayak was later found off south Skye, allowing me to continue the expedition.
In 2025, I ventured further west to the Outer Hebrides and took on my most ambitious challenge yet: a solo sea kayak crossing to St Kilda. St Kilda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is home to some of the world’s most dramatic sea cliffs and vast seabird colonies, a dream destination for any kayaker with a passion for wildlife. Reaching it required a 14-hour, 60 km paddle across open Atlantic waters, the longest and most demanding leg of my expedition so far.
Such a voyage takes meticulous planning, mental endurance, and a perfect weather window. It also takes the right equipment. I couldn’t have attempted this sea expedition without the excellent kit supplied by Reed Chillcheater, which gave me the confidence (and perhaps a little overconfidence!) to push my limits.
I also committed to carrying out a seabird transect survey while paddling — an unusual but rewarding way to combine science and adventure and very much in the spirit of the expedition. It provided valuable data and kept me focused during the long hours at sea, even if it did disrupt my paddling rhythm!
Why Sea Expeditions Like This Matter
The Call of the Loon is about more than just adventure, it’s about conservation. Britain’s seabirds are in serious decline, and expeditions like this play a role in documenting their changing populations.
Over the past 20 years, many seabird species have suffered severe losses due to climate change, overfishing, and invasive predators. Of the 25 seabird species that regularly breed in Scotland, 21 are now on the Red or Amber lists of Birds of Conservation Concern. Puffin numbers have fallen by 32%, Arctic skuas by 66%, and Leach’s storm petrels a now critically endangered in the UK by almost 80%. Recent bird flu outbreaks have also devastated gannet and great skua populations.
By combining sea kayaking expeditions with scientific research, I hope to raise awareness of these issues and help protect the birds that define Scotland’s wild coasts.
The Right Kayaking Gear Makes the Difference
Reed Chillcheater has been an incredible partner on this journey. Before setting off, I realised my old, mismatched kit collected over 30 years of kayaking just wouldn’t cut it for a long-distance sea expedition. Reed stepped in with key upgrades that transformed my experience on the water.
Their Aquatherm spraydeck is a standout piece of gear; lightweight, comfortable, and cleverly designed with map case fixings and an integrated bale hole, allowing me to pump out the cockpit without removing the deck. The Reed Rip Stop Cag (Storm Cag) quickly became one of my favourite bits of kit. Whenever I stopped paddling in cold, windy conditions, I’d pull it over my buoyancy aid and instantly warm up. It packs down small, yet makes a huge difference to comfort and safety on long sea kayaking trips.
Other game-changing items included spare hatch covers, an Aquatherm hood to stave off hypothermia, and KeelEazy strips that protected my kayak from the inevitable scrapes of rocky landings.
Looking Ahead: The Next Sea Expedition
With recordings of 25 seabird species gathered from across the Hebrides, The Call of the Loon has been a success but the journey isn’t over yet. Along the way, I’ve met fellow researchers, conducted my own studies, given talks, and even featured on BBC Radio’s Tweet of the Day.
The next phase of the expedition will involve more sea kayaking, more remote islands, and more seabird research though perhaps a little less solo paddling this time!
If you’d like to follow or support The Call of the Loon Sea Kayaking Expedition, you can learn more and sign up for updates here: rolandarnison.co.uk/call-of-the-loon-expedition
Support the 2025 journey via Crowdfunder: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/call-of-the-loon-expedition-2025
To keep up with my ongoing sea kayaking adventures
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