Our journey starts at the head of Loch Shiel, a truly wild loch, surrounded by majestic mountains.  We paddle south west on our route to the sea spending 3 days exploring this rugged landscape and learning bushcraft skills which make canoe tripping here possible.  The loch is a perfect place to brush up on paddling skills and there will be ample time for us to coach you in expedition canoeing skills including poling, lining and tracking as we spend a day exploring an exciting side trip.

As we near the western end of the loch, the water quickens as we pick up the current of the River Shiel and run this short river out to salt water and the spectacular rugged coast line of loch Moidart.  A whole new playground awaits as we spend 3 days exploring the coastal foraging and wildlife opportunities that this area has to offer.  Camping on the beaches and coves in this area is a magical experience.  Days will be spent gathering shellfish, seaweeds and fungi as well as fishing using a variety of methods.  You'll also learn how to prepare and cook this coastal bounty using exciting wilderness cookery techniques and primitive methods.

The whole area is a wildlife haven and the canoe is the perfect way to get close to some of Scotland's most iconic species; otters, pine marten, scottish wild cats, red deer, foxes and badgers all live here as well as hundreds of bird species including both species of divers, ospreys, sea and golden eagles and all the major groups of woodland and coastal birds native to Scotland.  Certified 'Track & Sign Specialist' Steven Hanton will be your guide to the plethora of tracks and signs that we find along the way which adds a richness to the experience and allows you to really understand the place.    

DETAILS:

• Travel and arrival - Detailed joining instructions will be sent out to you well in advance of the expedition.      

• Accommodation - All canoe wild camping.  

• Food and Drink - This expedition is fully catered.  Food will be typical canoe camping fayre.   We take our catering seriously and we aim to make the food one of the highlights of the trip.  We can cater to vegetarians and some medical intolerances but vegans and more unusual food requirements can be tricky when group cooking.  We are always happy to chat about this before booking.

• Weather/conditions - Scotland in September can be changeable, please make sure you read the kit list thoroughly.  

• Age requirements - 18+.  

• Fitness/ability -  You need a basic level of fitness to attend this expedition.  No previous canoeing experience is necessary, although you may get more from the course if you have completed a taster session.   We suggest that being able to walk 3km at least each day is a good minimum bench mark.  Some days we will be paddling 10km or so, which while not particularly strenuous, can make some muscles ache a bit if not conditioned.   We want you to enjoy the expedition so please contact us with any questions on this.

• Payment - To book we will take a 25% non returnable deposit with the balance due 10 weeks before the expedition start date.  See our full Terms and Conditions.

•  Insurance - We have comprehensive liability insurance and risk assessments, but we suggest that you have your own insurance policy that covers your kit and yourself.    

• First Aid/Medical  - The leaders are experienced in remote first aid and are trained to First Response Emergency Care level 4 (Ambulance ECA). We will carry a comprehensive expedition first aid kit and Garmin Inreach device for emergencies.  Please bring with you plenty of any required personal medication.  

• Toilets -   On expedition, toilets will consist of a spade and a walk a good distance from camp.   

Kit List

Meet the Team