Wildlife Canoe Expedition Scotland

We are pleased to offer this course for the second year running. The location will be the stunning Loch Sionnascaig (photo right) in north-west Scotland. This is a true wilderness, a diverse mosaic of habitats comprising lochs, wooded islands, mountains, rivers, bogs and birch forest. We will be able to explore this landscape from a number of wild camps around the loch by canoe and on foot. Because we will be largely based around this loch we will have that all-important time to be still and really observe the wildlife. Paddling is the perfect mode of transport and a great way to get close to the wildlife. We also plan to spend a day and a night on the coast looking for otters, marine birds and foraging for shellfish.

Course leaders

The course will be jointly led by our chief instructor, Leon Durbin, and by local wildlife ranger, Ian Paterson. Leon is an experienced wildlife ecologist who lived in Scotland for 10 years. He has conducted scientific studies on several local species (e.g. otters, grouse, foxes). He is also our chief bushcraft instructor so no doubt will be able to show you some survival skills along the way - if you are more interested in bushcraft have a look at our Bushcraft Canoe Expedition.

Ian lives in Sutherland and has been leading wildlife watching activities for 17 years. He has a great deal of local wildlife knowledge and we are delighted that he is joining us on this very special course to share his passion for the subject.

The local knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm of the course leaders will give you the best opportunities to observe and understand the wild animals and plants of the area. For example, the region is a stronghold for eagles, peregrines, ospreys, merlin, hen harriers, black-throated divers, greenshank, grouse, ptarmigan, saw billed ducks, red deer, otters (trail in photo below right), water voles, water shrews, and foxes, to name but a few!

Activities

You will spend six full days in the heart of the wilderness looking for target species, observing them and exploring the ecology of the area.

You will learn about:

• the geology of the area
• animal tracks and signs,
• stalking and the best places to get photographs
• the behaviour and ecology of the animals you are seeing
• the identification of trees and herbaceous plants of the area - their role in the ecology of the area and their uses for people
• coastal ecology and wildlife
• fishing with hand lines (optional extra activity)
• canoeing on lochs
• how to live close to nature with minimal impact and disturbance.

Dates:

14-20 May 2009. We will meet at 18.00 at Ullapool Youth Hostel on 14th, travel to the canoe launch site by car the next morning and return to Ullapool at around 18.00 on 20th.

Requirements:

The course is open to novice canoeists *, though the some experience is a definite advantage. You will be given basic canoe instruction on the first day - there will be two people paddling and carrying each canoe and we will aim to pair up experienced with non-experienced canoeists where possible (unless you prefer to canoe with a companion).

You must:

be over 18 years old;

• have some outdoor experience (e.g. hill walking, camping, adventure sports, bushcraft etc.)
• have a reasonable level of physical fitness
• be able to swim 200 metres and
• have a sense of humour!

This location is wild and isolated so you need to be good at adapting to local conditions both good and bad!

Camping:

We will have some truly stunning wild campsites including a wooded glade next to a cascading waterfall and a small wooded island. You will need to bring a small tent, or a hammock and tarp (midge net is essential, though midges are not usually too bad at this time of year). A kit list will be detailed in the joining instructions.

Price:

The price £620 includes instruction, canoe usage, and all food while on the expedition, plus meals and hostel accomodation while in Ullapool. During the trip we aim to prepare meals which include locally produced or foraged ingredients, and which are free range and/or organic wherever possible - you should not go hungry!

To reserve a place now you need to pay a deposit of £100 - the balance is due two calendar months in advance of the course.