Castles, Canoes and Camping

On this course, based in the Western Highlands of Scotland, we will guide you through canoe and bushcraft skills that will enable you to have a better understanding of using the canoe as a journeying tool to remote locations and create a wild camp sympathetic to the environment. This course can be more intense and physically demanding than our 3 day course but we do all we can to make our journey efficient.

This course is run jointly by Pete @ RedOakBushcrafts and DC Outdoors.

Subjects Covered:

Day One:

  • Meeting: we will meet at the put in and give an overview of the canoes, paddles and safety considerations, packing* for on the water before getting on to the water and guiding you through basic tandem paddling skills to ensure you are comfortable and can control the craft before we head off.

  • Paddling: once loaded we will head off down the loch. As our horizon widens we will discuss how we can read the terrain to aid choose of camp locations. Our first days paddle will not be too long to allow for plenty of time for getting into the swing of setting up camp.

  • Castle: during our first day we have our first opportunity to visit a ruined castle and walks its walls which give an amazing view of the loch.

  • Camp: at our first nights camp we will will get all hands on setting up the group shelter with sufficient time for you to setup your chosen sleep system, tarp & hammock* or tent* are ideal. We will guide you through creating a campfire for cooking dinner, storage of kit and creating a toilet area all with due regard for Leave No Trace principles (we want to leave our camp location as we find it or in a better condition). Even washing up has a system to follow to ensure we reduce our impact on the land we use. While in camp we will look at gathering and processing an appropriate amount of fuel for the fire using folding saws and axes as appropriate to the size of fuel. We will also gather materials to take to camp two to utilise for skills workshops such as friction fire lighting.

  • Dinner: all hands make light work when it comes to dinners preparation of a good hearty and filling meal.

  • Relax: a relaxing evening around the campfire before bedding down.

Day Two:

  • Striking camp: we will set off to our second nights camp again working on tandem paddling skills. Our journey time will be longer but we aim to be making camp in good time to allow for setting up the group shelter, campfire area, toileting and personal camp areas. Once all setup we will have time to start working on a range of land based skills or just relax, its your choice!

  • Sailing: Should the wind be with us an improvised sailing rig may be used to aid the distance we can travel with minimal effort.

  • Skills: with two instructors on the course we can split to work on a wide range of skills. Dan will take solo canoe skills session and we will look at a range of bushcraft skills which can include basic fire lighting to friction fire lighting, safe knife techniques, natural cordage, identifying plants, trees and tracks or sign of any wildlife.

  • Dinner: again will be all hands on to fill the stomachs after a busy day.

Day Three:

  • Time: to consolidate the skills you want to work on, either on land or water. We will have plenty of time to work on individual skills, may be set you a challenge with the skills you have learnt before we head back to civilisation.

  • Islands: with some islands close by we can visit and take in some of the history the area is steeped in and look for track and sign.

  • Night Paddle: Should the conditions allow we may head off for a short evening paddle to show how we can navigate in the dark.

  • Dinner: again will be all hands on to fill the stomachs after a busy day.

Day Four:

  • Strike camp: for the final time, before heading past several islands.

  • Castles: More small castles can be visited on our route back depending on timescales.

Additional Skills:

  • Wind: should conditions allow we will also look at improvised rafting and rigging of a makeshift sail to aid expedition travel and save all important energy. Solo sailing may also be available on day three if the conditions are suitable.

  • Polling: a wonderful skill to aid moving your canoe, typically in shallow water where its harder to get a good paddle stroke.

Notes: A comprehensive kit list will be provided prior to the course. Items marked with an Asterix * above mean we have a selection of equipment that can be rented for the course at a low cost so you don’t need to go out and buy loads of new kit. A list will be provided prior to the course plus we try to hold a couple of on-line meetings to discuss the course, concerns and any kit requirements to try and ensure you are as prepared and comfortable as possible before the course.

Suitable for:

This course is aimed at adults and accompanied mid / late teens.