Islands on the Edge
Scottish Island Tours, Adventures and Travel
ABOUT
Islands on the Edge facilitates trips where ever you want to go, however you want to go.
We run trips out from Lewis to Scarp, Taransay, Monachs and St Kilda, using the MV Cuma as our base and transport, these are available in French and English. Please have a look at these in the TRIPS tab.
If you want to visit Stevenson Lighthouses, kayak across the Minch, walk the coastline of Jura, sample the whiskies of Islay, photograph deer or have a 5 star trip to Shetland, we can organise this for you. Flexible adventures at every level.
We have a massive knowledge of Scotland's island, which we can use to get you the trip you want whether you want to paint, photograph, walk, motorbike, kayak, trail run, openwater swim, sail or cycle. We can provide guides in every languauge, suggest the best transport options and find you amazing places to stay, no matter what your budget is.
TEAM
Elaine Goldsmith
Guide
Elaine is an International Mountain Leader, experienced kayaker and a WEMSI - Widerness First Responder.
Despite having been brought up in Edinburgh, Elaine only discovered the rest of Scotland as an adult and has spent as much time as possible exploring it from every angle since. A passion for travel has meant that Elaine has travelled all over the world, often to the less visited parts. Despite being based in France for some years and having Europe on the doorstep, Elaine has based herself in Scotland as it gives her access to so much amazing countryside and sea. A large garage (toybox) houses bikes, kayaks and skis, and within 2 hours from home she can make the most of all these toys.
Her love of travel is fuelled by an interest in Archaeology, food and a particular interest in women travellers of the 19th Century. She lives to the motto Sieze the day. .get on with it!
Andrea Todd
Guide
Andrea is a STGA Blue Badge Guide, she guides in French and English.
After 25 years as a domestic science teacher Andrea ran away to the Alps to be a chalet girl (girl is a relative term, relating to her mental age). Andrea then realised she needed to do something in summers so she qualified as a Tourist guide putting her French to maximum use. Now Andrea works her summers with mainly French groups and uses the rest of her time to travel the world and ski the winters, in Europe and America. Amongst her adventures Andrea has followed the travels of Robert Loius Stevenson round the world, cycled in India, trekked in Nepal, danced salsa in Cuba & skinned her knees in Hawaii.
You will never be bored in Andrea's company, she has an amazing lust for life and stories to fill many volumes.
The Cuma Team
Our amazing hosts
Murdo and his grand- daughter Micheala along with Cathie as the shore team are our hosts for trips out from the west of Lewis.
Murdo was in the Merchant Navy for many years and returned back to his home on Lewis to become a lobster fisherman in the inhospitable waters around St Kilda. A chance came up to acquire and convert the Cuma to allow him to take guests out to the islands off the west of Lewis and Harris and to visit St Kilda. He has been running the Cuma for many seasons and uses his years of knowledge to get the best experience for guests, whislt the Atlantic and weather throw everything they can at him.
Michaela runs the domestic side of the boat, she is a great cook and produces the most amazing food from the tiny galley no matter what the sea conditions.