Bushcraft Canoe Expedition,
Loch Shiel, Scotland
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Loch Shiel - a Classic Canoe Journey, with Bushcraft Skills
Loch Shiel is a 17 mile long freshwater loch in a beautiful and remote part of the West Coast of Scotland. It makes for an iconic canoe journey, steeped in Scottish history, rich with wildlife and a truly varied and spectacular landscape! The expedition begins at Glenfinnan, site of the striking monument to the Jacobite uprising, beneath the famous viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films. As we prepare to set off you may see the steam train pass over the bridge!
This area is home to a variety of highland wildlife, such as eagles, pine martens, otters, deer and wildcats. The loch eventually narrows and flows into the River Shiel, which meanders down to the sea with a short rapid section before entering Loch Moidart. This a truly stunning area with wooded islands and the ruined Tioram Castle. You will spend some of the last day exploring the sea loch and learning about coastal foraging.
Learning Outcomes
Here are some of the key skills you will be learning:
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basic paddling on open water - including strategies for travelling against the wind
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coastal foraging
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primitive firelighting (sparks and local tinders e.g. horse's hoof fungus, birch bark)
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shelter - natural and tarps
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local plants and their uses
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safe traversing of wild terrain by canoe and on foot
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campcraft and Leave No Trace
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highland wildlife (e.g. eagles, deer, pine martens, wild cats, otters etc.)
More Details
Price: £550 per person
Location: Loch Shiel. Meeting at Roshven in Moidart
Duration: 4 full days: starts 09.00 day 1 and ends around 16:00 on day 4.
Group size: usually 2 - 6 people
Facilities provided: Tarp, canoes and associated equipment, drinking water, hot drinks, cooking pots, and food for all main meals.
What to bring: Course-specific kit list
Requirements:
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be over 18 years old;
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have some outdoor experience (e.g. hill walking, camping, adventure sports, bushcraft etc.)
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have a reasonable level of physical fitness (you will paddle 15 km on two days)
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be able to swim at least 200 m
