Have you ever heard of the Coastline Paradox? It’s the name given to the observation that it’s impossible to accurately measure a coastline, because the detail and intricacies of the boundary between land and sea increase exponentially as you look more closely. The result is that the length of a coastline depends on the scale at which you measure it. In a country like Scotland, whose coast is an ever changing landscape of fjords and inlets, islands and rocks, channels, peninsulas, cliffs and tidal pools, this phenomenon is hugely exaggerated. But while you might never be able to have a reliable, scientific, understanding of the Scottish coast, the sport of coasteering is a way to find an instinctive, visceral sense of this beautiful and wild part of the world.

Apart from a short land border with England, Scotland’s limits are defined by the North Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Boasting every kind of coastal feature that you can imagine, the strip of land where the waves crash against rock and sand holds infinite opportunities for discovery. Coasteering is the best way to go exploring. By climbing, jumping and swimming, you’ll traverse the coastline, now in the water, now back on land, gaining a new perspective on this intertidal zone and coming across animal and plant life that you won't find anywhere else. Of course, the thrills of reaching high rocky pinnacles and plunging down into the waves are a further reward for facing the challenges of the coast. On top of that, there’s no need for specialist equipment, which means you can get stuck into this sport without wasting time or money.

Where are the best places to go coasteering in Scotland?

• East Lothian: Within easy reach of Edinburgh, the Scottish Capital, East Lothian has a coastline which meets the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. Picking your way along this coastline, you’ll have to deal with headlands and inlets, islands that join the mainland at low tide and drops from the cliffs to the water. Seals hunt in these seas and relax on the rocks, and puffins build their nests high in the clifftops. If you can take your eyes off the footholds and waves you might see some!

• Fife: On the north side of the Firth of Forth, Fife is also close to Edinburgh. There’s something for everyone here, with rockpool exploration for youngsters and beginners at Shell Bay, and rocky routes around Elie that are a good warm-up for more rugged coastlines further north.

• Angus and Aberdeenshire: When we mentioned rugged coastlines, this is one of the places we had in mind. Arbroath is one of the most popular spots for this activity due to the rocks, boulders and coastal crags that make up the chaotic shoreline. There are even a couple of waterfalls that fall over the cliffs, and you too can jump from dizzying heights into deep blue pools below. There’s also good coasteering close to Aberdeen, where caves are an added element to explore.

• Oban: On the west coast of Scotland, Oban is the starting point for many boat journeys to the Hebrides. It’s the setting for some great coasteering journeys too, where you might share the water with some of the country’s cutest creatures - sea otters. Oban sits on the edge of a sea loch, like a fjord, and if you travel up this waterway you’ll get to Onich, another destination for this sport.

• Skye: The Isle of Skye is one of the most breathtaking places in the British Isles. It’s not huge in terms of area, but its coastline is over 400 miles long (depending on how you measure it!). You won’t know if it’s the beauty of the scenery, the thrill of the adventure, or the pounding of the waves that takes your breath away, but it’s an experience that will stay with you forever in any case.

• Lewis and Harrris: This is the largest island in the Outer Hebrides archipelago. It’s also one of the furthest out to sea, but if you make the journey, you’ll be rewarded with a coasteering experience in a pristine part of the world, with almost nothing in your field of vision that suggests the presence of humans.

• Wester Ross: No, it’s not Westeros from Game of Thrones, but it is the stuff of fantasy. Ross is in the North of Scotland where only the most intrepid travellers are found, so you don’t need to worry about sharing the coast with hoards of visitors. Instead, you can focus on the adventure of exploring the coast and overcoming the obstacles that it throws at you.

• North Coast: The wild north coast of Scotland is one of the most pristine parts of the country. It’s also one of the wildest and coldest, so this isn’t for casual coastal explorers. The best place to live this adventure is near the village of Talmine, where you can choose between a sheltered inlet or an exposed shoreline that looks towards the arctic circle.

How long does an excursion last?

There are a couple of factors that can influence the length of the full experience of coasteering in Scotland. First of all, there’s your preference - if you’re a first timer you might want to do a shorter trip. There’s also the season, spending a long time in the water is much more manageable in summer than in colder months. Finally, there’s the time needed to travel to the coasteering destination. Typical lengths are 2 to 3 hours, but if you’re going to a more remote location this will be longer, and in all cases it’s worth putting aside about half a day for the adventure.

Requirements to do this activity

There are infinite possibilities for exploring the coasts of Scotland and its islands, which means that relaxing, low risk coasteering routes can be found alongside intense coastal adventures - and sometimes these take place within a few hundred metres of each other! That means that all kinds of people can get involved if they’re confident enough to be in and around the water for at least some of the experience. In some places, children as young as 8 are welcome on excursions, other locations are suitable for those aged 12 or 14 and up, while there are challenges for the most hardcore daredevils as well if you know where to look.

What do you need to bring on a trip?

One of the most important things for ensuring your safety during an excursion is your guide. Tour operators know to take the coastlines seriously, and the leader of your group will be experienced and professional, to make sure that everyone else can relax and have fun. There’s also equipment that will keep you safe and focused on the fun. You’ll be given a wetsuit, a buoyancy aid and helmet, which will all help you to overcome the challenges of the Scottish coast. Some operators will also give you specialist shoes and/or gloves, but if this isn’t the case, just wear a pair of trainers that will give you some grip on the rocks including when they’re wet. A towel and change of clothes are the other essentials, and they’ll be a sight for sore eyes after completing a tour of this wet and wild part of the world.

This is the best way to explore both land and sea. If you don’t believe us, make a booking and you’ll find out for yourself!