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The Highland Adventure is a combination of Bushcraft, open canoeing, off-road driving, navigation, wilderness first aid and survival skills. This 2 week expedition will give you the necessary skills and tuition to set off on your own expedition in the future in what ever form of transport you desire. The expedition is carried out in both Angus and Perthshire, both living and travelling in this most beautiful region of Scotland. The Highland Expedition itinerary is as follows: Day 1 The expedition starts at Tamaracks Headquarters at Garstang, Lancashire. Here we will have coffee and an initial briefing on the forth coming itinerary, along with meeting all the instructors on the expedition. Here you will have an opportunity to browse our fully equipped shop. N.B if you prefer to meet at other designated meeting points along the route this can be arranged. After the briefing we will load up the vehicles and head for the Highlands. Our first stop on the evening of day 1 is at Edzell in Angus. Here we will make camp within a 120 acre predominantly Birch woodland. The woodland is teaming with wildlife with Roe deer in small herds, Fox, Pine Martin and the very tasty Chanterelle mushrooms. We set our Lavvu style tents with wood burning stoves, dig a latrine, light the main cooking fire and have dinner. The evening is spent taking in our surroundings after the camp chores are finished, we can set up our archery butts and have a practice with recurve bows, or when its dark take out the night vision equipment and see what we can spot. Day 2 After breakfast we start to erect our main camp. We look at siting the camp, latrine location and construction, firewood selection, collection and storage, water purification and storage. After this the main kitchen is erected and all the food correctly stored. Dinner is then prepared using the open fire as our stove and looking at some very satisfying meals you can produce while in camp. The after noon is set aside for navigation training using map and compass.
The evening is much the same and is a great time to explore this fascinating place. Within the evening there will be a lecture on personal hygiene while outdoors. Day 3 After breakfast we move onto Bushcraft skills. We look at knife use and maintenance, hand and bow saw use . After these skills are practiced we carry out woodcraft projects, light fires in many ways including fire by friction and show you how to manage fire correctly. Tonight you cook your own dinner baking bread and cooking fish over the fires you have made. The evening is spent with navigation training, and getting into a camp routine. Day 4 Still on the theme of Bushcraft today is spent erecting natural shelters, looking at tarps and how to erect them in different ways. We also look at some wild food in and around the area, along with observation skills. The rest of the day is taken up advancing your navigation training and preparing equipment ready for the next stage of the expedition.
Day 5 Today see’s us breaking camp and moving into the mountains. We are met by our mountain leader at a predetermined start point, then we stretch our legs over the next couple of days in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland the Grampian Mountains. The previous days navigation training comes in handy, as you take turns to navigate the group to the first camp in the mountains. This element will give you an insight into high camping, travelling lighter and being more self sufficient while on the trail. Your food for the mountain element is army rations which you will be shown how to prepare and cook before you set off. Lots of opportunity to spot Red deer, Mountain Hare and Golden Eagle.
Day 6 After a light breakfast we set off again to meet the vehicles approximately half way round the Mountain stage. Here the team will provide lunch, but more importantly it is a good time to off load any equipment that you deem unnecessary, as we set off again heading for the nights camp. Day 7 Today see’s us making our way into Glen Clova and crossing the River South Esk. Our accommodation for the night is a wooden log cabin that we call the lodge which is situated right next to the river. Here we will get ourselves cleaned up, do some washing and have a hearty meal. The evening will be spent sitting around the log burning stove, or taking a walk along the Glen. Day 8 Today we will be mainly based at the lodge looking at Wilderness First Aid (WFA). WFA is a major component to consider while preparing for an expedition. We look at first aid kit provision, first response, and dealing with casualties. The afternoon is spent practicing on several first aid scenarios that could possibly happen while on your travels. We spend the evening at the lodge, and prepare equipment for the next day. Day 9 This morning we travel through big tree country and the Tay Forest Park on our way to Aberfeldy. Today we have the opportunity to go off road in 4x4 vehicles, and have lunch on the mountain. After the 4x4 safari we make our way along side Loch Tay to Killin and our campsite for the evening. Here we start our canoe trip along the Loch and River Tay the next day. The evening is spent learning the necessary skills for flat water paddling, safety and capsize drills. Day10 Today the open boat canoeing stage starts as soon as we break camp, you will be shown how to load your boat for efficient and safe paddling . A short section of easy river leads us into Loch Tay where the journey begins, and the instructors are on hand to help with any paddling techniques. If the wind is kind we can raft the boats down the loch. The nights camp will be in woodlands on the Loch shore, cooking over open fires and fishing from the canoe.
Day 11 After breakfast we start off again down the Loch, by now getting into the rhythm of the paddle. We have an opportunity to stop off at the Crannog Centre, a reconstructed ancient Loch dwelling and try your hand at some primitive skills. This evening we camp on an island close to the outflow of the Loch. Day12 to 15 Today we enter after passing under a stone bridge at Kenmore the River Tay. The river here is broad with strong currents, and is the largest river by volume of water in Scotland. The river is also one of Scotland’s prime Salmon rivers with the beats being very expensive and jealously guarded.
Our aim is to paddle the 75KM to Perth within the 3 days, gaining further experience on moving water with grade 1 and 2 rapids, with the larger grade 3 rapids either portaged or lined. Wild camping where practicable and paddling with all our food and equipment. Day 15 The expedition will end in Perth and we will prepare to travel back to Tamaracks headquarters.
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COURSE DATES 27 September to 11 October 2008- NOW FULL COURSE PRICE £1295 all inclusive
Max number of students per course - 10 Course Tutor - Mike Rushton,
email: info@tamarackgroup.co.uk |
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