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Coastal Canoe Forager at a glance
Who it’s for: Adults looking for a guided wilderness canoe journey combining paddling, bushcraft, wild camping and coastal foraging
Experience level: Beginner-friendly; no previous canoeing experience required
Location: Coigach, northwest Scotland, travelling from the inland lochs near Drumrunie towards Enard Bay
Meeting point: Port a Bhaigh Campsite, Altandhu, near Achiltibuie
Dates: 7–11 April 2027
Duration: Five days and four nights
Price: £899 per person
Accommodation: Canoe-supported wild camping
Food included: Yes; the expedition is fully catered (Bring your own Lunch).
Equipment provided: Canoes, paddles, personal flotation devices, helmets, group cooking equipment, water filters and a group shelter
Equipment required: Participants bring their own tent, sleeping equipment, clothing and personal kit; a detailed kit list is provided
Fitness required: Basic fitness, including the ability to paddle approximately 10km on some days
Minimum age: 18
Expedition leaders: Jamie Dakota and Adam Logan
Organiser: Howl Expeditions Ltd, in collaboration with a.Woodsman
Payment option: Secure your place with a 10% deposit using the code DEPOSIT at checkout
Our journey starts at Port a Bhaigh Campsite, surrounded by majestic mountains and the sea. We’ve then a short drive to begin the Loch paddling phase of the trip.We paddle 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 lochan and river are 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 start to the trip.
The fresh water runs to salt water and the spectacular rugged coastline of Enard Bay. A whole new playground awaits as we spend 2 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.
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DAY 1 - Meet at Port a Bhaigh Campsite 10am (we recommend driving up the day before and staying here the night). From here we’ll drive for about an hour to launch near Drumrunie and begin our journey down the Loch.
DAY 2 - Weather depending we can have a day to hike up one of the spectacular mountains nearby, or enjoy more paddling in the fresh waters.
DAY 3 - Today we journey to the coast, getting our feet wet at last with salt water. We also begin with some fishing skills and seaweed foraging.
DAY 4 - Coastal fishing, foraging & bushcraft. Coastal camp.
DAY 5 - Coastal foraging & bushcraft. Midday take out at the coast, with a quick shuttle to return everyone to their cars.
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Canoe trip planning
Loading a canoe & gear shakedown
Flat water paddling skills; strokes and trim
Moving water skills; strokes, route choice, ferry gliding & breaking in/out of the current
Rescue techniques for flat and moving water.
Expedition canoe skills; poling, snubbing, lining, tracking & portaging
Canoeing at the coast; understanding tides and other considerations
Bushcraft & Coastal Foraging
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Firelighting masterclass
Tree and plant ID & edible, medicinal and utilitarian uses.
Seaweed; identify, collect and cook edible species.
Shellfish gathering; how to stay safe & check for edibility
Coastal fishing techniques; long lines & rod and line
Cookery techniques; preparing and smoking fish, reflector oven cookery, trail breads, steaming shellfish.
Wildlife tracking; identify animal tracks and signs.
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 catered with breakfast and evening meals, so you just need your own lunch supplies. 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 April can be changeable, please make sure you read the kit list thoroughly. The expedition can go ahead in most conditions with some adaptions, however we will ensure group safety is paramount.
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 benchmark. 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 10% 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 WEMSI First aid responder level. 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
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(If you have your own of any of the following and would like to bring it please feel free)
Personal floatation device
2 Paddles per person
Helmet
Canoes
Cooking equipment
Water filters
Group shelter
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You are limited to one day-pack per person no bigger than 45 liters, with extra kit stored in a portage pack or barrel no bigger than 80 litres. This is to ensure we have nice, balanced boats and space to be comfortable as we travel.
Personal kit should be packed into durable dry-bags (Ortlieb or Exped make good ones), vital items to be double bagged i.e. sleeping gear, dry clothes.
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Items to be kept in a small rucksack, the idea is this pack will contain anything you might need during the day without you having to open your overnight gear pack whilst travelling. On ordinary rucksack is fine for this.
Brew kit- mug, spoon, tea/coffee/hot chocolate etc (a small camping stove is a useful extra)
Waterproofs: jacket and trousers
Head-torch and spare batteries
Water bottle
Wooly Hat
Flask for hot water/ hot drink
Small First aid kit- plasters, painkillers, steri-wipes etc (should fit in a trouser pocket).
Toilet kit- tissues, hand sanitizer, lighter, wet-wipes
Sun-cream and insect repellent - Smidge or something with deet in it works.
Sunglasses
Midge head net - The ones by Smidge are good - most others have mesh sizes too large.
DITCH KIT (inside its own dedicated dry bag within your day pack)
Good warm thick jacket/fleece
Thick woolly hat
Warm glovesWarm Buff/ scarf
Good thermal base-layer top
Chocolate bar
Silver space blanket
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This kit should be stowed in a portage pack or plastic barrel.
Warm Sleeping bag-in its own dry bag
Sleeping mat
Tent
A full set of warm, dry clothes for the end of the day.
Waterproof socks/ warm socks
Camp shoes ( old trainers or lightweight boots area ideal)
Wash kit: toothbrush/paste, soap, small towel as minimum
Spectacles/contact lenses/spares
Plate/bowl and eating utensils
One luxury item-a book, MP3 player, etc
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Knee Protection - canoe kneeling pad or soft, comfortable knee pads.
Waterproof whistle to be carried on your person.
A stainless steel fixed blade knife - Mora knives are perfect.
Canoeing footwear that will get wet - old trainers are fine, some folks like neoprene booties.
Meet the Team
JD has been delivering canoe expeditions in Scotland since 2017 when he launched the Long Water trip with Robin Heath. Since then he’s led several trips every year and shared his joy of journeying with customers from all walks of life.
Combining bushcraft with canoe trips is one of JD’s favourite outdoor endeavours, and helping to up-skill clients in their own pursuit of adventure have become a firm drive for all the tours at Howl.
Jamie Dakota is a British Canoeing Open Water Canoe Leader and lead guide at Howl Bushcraft, with 10 years of experience leading multi-day canoe expeditions across Scotland and Northern Sweden. Holding an Open Canoe Leader certification alongside Wilderness First Aid training, Jamie combines technical paddling expertise with a deep knowledge of bushcraft, navigation, and wild camping safety.
Since starting Howl Bushcraft in 2014, Jamie has guided multiple canoe trips every year for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, specialising in the combined skills of bushacraft and canoeing. Jamie's teaching style focuses on building confidence on the water while sharing the bushcraft skills: fire-lighting, foraging, shelter-building, that turn a paddling trip into a full wilderness experience.
Off the water, Jamie is a qualified mountain leader and is passionate about helping people live more adventurous lives - bringing an added layer of trust and expertise to every Howl Expeditions canoe trip.
The wilderness living skills and traditional crafts Adam first discovered in books as a boy have defined his entire adult career as a UK based bushcraft instructor and guide.
Honing these skills over 18 years of bushcraft instruction created a desire to gain validity in what he was passing on to students and is reflected in the significant amount of time both living and teaching these skills in the context of wilderness travel and training courses.
Never truly satisfied with a short trip into the outdoors Adam has spent months at a time living in Sweden’s forests. Over three winter seasons he has cumulatively spent ten months living off grid in the Canadian bush. Working as an assistant snowshoe guide and instructor, he has covered more than 300 miles by snowshoe and moccasins in Ontario’s wilderness areas.
FAQs
Do I need previous canoeing experience?
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No. The expedition is suitable for beginners and coaching is provided throughout. Previous experience on a canoe taster session may help, but it is not required.
How fit do I need to be?
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You need a basic level of fitness. Participants should be comfortable walking at least 3km and paddling approximately 10km on some days. Contact us before booking if you are unsure about your suitability.
Where does the expedition begin?
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The group meets at Port a Bhaigh Campsite in Altandhu, near Achiltibuie, at 10am on 7 April 2027. We then travel together to the canoe launch near Drumrunie.
Is food included?
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Yes. The expedition is catered for evening meals and breakfast, you just need to bring lunches. Vegetarian diets and some medical intolerances can be accommodated, but please contact us before booking about vegan or more complex dietary requirements.
Can I book with a deposit?
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Yes. Use the code DEPOSIT at checkout to secure your place with a 10% deposit.
howl expeditions ltd
This UK Trip is organised and delivered by Howl Expeditions Ltd, a specialist expedition company established to manage our UK and international wilderness journeys.
Howl Expeditions Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 17388272. When you book any trip within the UK Trips collection, your booking contract is with Howl Expeditions Ltd, the expedition is promoted and booked through howlbushcraft.com.
Our bushcraft courses, workshops, online training and shop continue to be operated separately by Bushcraft Training Services Ltd, trading as Howl Bushcraft.
Please see our Terms and Conditions for full booking, payment and cancellation information.