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Our journey starts at a hidden Lochan near Strontian, 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 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 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.
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DAY 1 - Launch at a hidden Lochan near Strontian, Expedition canoe skills; poling, snubbing, lining, tracking, flat water paddling skills, camp Lochan
DAY 2 - Descend the river fully and enter Loch Shiel! Camp Loch Sheil.
DAY 3 - Moving water canoe skills; strokes, breaking in/out, ferry gliding. Camp Loch Moidart
DAY 4 - Tidal canoeing, coastal fishing & bushcraft. Camp Ardnamurchan coastline
DAY 5 - Coastal foraging & bushcraft; seaweeds, fungi and shellfish. Camp Ardnamurchan coastline
DAY 6 - Coastal canoeing, bushcraft & animal tracking. Midday take out at 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.
Fungi; identify edible and poisonous species and how to cook
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 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
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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 60 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
Steven is an experienced expedition leader and has guided trips to some of the worlds most remote environments. Equally at home in the frozen subarctic, steamy jungle or sweltering desert, he has been fortunate to work with and learn from some of the world's last hunter gatherers for whom wilderness skills are still a way of life.
As a passionate educator, Steven completed a degree in Outdoor Education at Edinburgh University and stresses the importance not only of what you teach, but how you teach. His enthusiasm for the subject and his delivery make for informative yet fun and engaging programs.
Steven is never more at home, however, than when exploring the wilds of his native Scotland with his wife and two boys in his handmade wood and canvas canoes.
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.
Hannah's background in ecology, wildlife conservation and community engagement means she brings a wealth of experience to the Wilderness Folk School.
Since 2014, Hannah has also undertaken study in bushcraft and wilderness skills and is a qualified Forest School Leader. Hannah is great with people and her kind and patient nature makes her a great teacher on courses involving craftwork, basketry and plantlore.
