A Valley of Caledonian Forest - Glen Affric

Wilderness, Mountains, and the Canoe

This trip is a true exploratory adventure. We’ll paddle Loch Affric and Loch Beinn Mheadhoin, summit a Munro from our Lochside basecamp, and walk under the Caledonian Forest. There’s a sense of adventure on this trip as we experience Glen Affric from the water and the mountains.

Unlike our Loch Awe trip, this venture into Glen Affric and the surrounding mountains is more of an exploration than a point-to-point journey. We meet in the afternoon of day one and have a relaxed evening beside the Loch not too far from the start, where we go from there is up to the group and the weather!

We aim to paddle for at least two of the days, with two days hiking also. Along the way we’ll employ a host of bushcraft and wilderness techniques to erect camps, cook over the fire, and climb a Munro. All in the setting of one the most picturesque valleys in all of Scotland, it features over 30 miles of ancient pinewoods and is one of the largest ancient Caledonian pine woods in Scotland.

• Start time: 1.30pm Finish Time: 1pm (varying depending on weather).

• There is a maximum group size of 6 participants plus the 2 instructors

• A full kit list will be provided on booking, all specialist equipment will be provided

• The Loch’s are a fantastic learning space for those new to the canoe.

• The mountain day will take a 1,000m ascent to summit a Munro (weather permitting we may bivi at the top!)

• There may be an option to spend the afternoon once the trip is over to paddle down River Glass if the weather permits. Details of this are in the booking pack, but it is a completely optional extra to the trip itself. The classic touring river is perfect for new paddlers and those looking for a scenic view. If you'd like some extra canoe tuition before the course we can recommend several excellent and friendly instructors, just ask.

• The trip is catered with evening meals and breakfasts, participants will need to bring their own lunches. We'd recommend bringing lunches that are quick to assemble, and do feel welcome to bring a lightweight camping stove to make hot food/ drink at lunch spots along some favourite snacks to boost your energy and morale, as well as some choice hot drinks. A menu will be issued closer to the expedition date, and all dietary requirements can be happily catered for. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Reviews

Loch Affric was an amazing place with fantastic surrounding views. Perfect weather conditions to allow us to enjoy it to the fullest. The food was spot on. JD and the team can only do so much with regards to keeping the food chilled, but this didn’t prevent them cooking great food. They kept the food choices varied and suited everyone on our course and their dietary requirements. All of them were excellent in their own rights. Given us enough information to learn any particular skill and would happily teach us more in-depth if we were interested. They are very patient and gave us the choice to what we wanted to do day to day. One to one tuition with Robin in the canoes was exceptional. He allowed us to to try other things that other people in the group didn’t fancy as long as we was up for a challenge. Providing great knowledge and experience to makes us more efficient and capable in the canoes. You’ll a have a great time and Howl Bushcraft with make sure of it no matter the weather. They suit the trip to your needs and provide plenty of knowledge to make it interesting. Fantastic group of lads to give you the best experience. Highly recommend. Would happily book again or recommend other people. - Dan 2022

Incredible, remote and unique. A long slog in a car, but worth it. All meals were cooked from scratch, including breakfast. Perfect camp food after a day of hiking or canoeing. All instructors were great, a few members of the group could have benefitted from some more canoe time and a little more instruction but it was their choice not to and we had shortened the trip to suit ourselves. Highlights for me were Paddling on a pan flat misty lake, and paddling out into loch affric- with mountains reflected in it. But generally there wasn't a bad moment.
I think everyone on the trip now feels more confident camping outdoors in wilder places, and In terms of something unexpected, I think I saw that most members of the group enjoyed talking with the instructors about their varied and winding routes to being expedition leaders- and i think it helped everyone to realise that you don't have to be superhuman to go to interesting places and interesting things. Miss something else, but don't miss this. You'll get to places that you might never go to, and do things you might never do and there plenty of time to relax and have chill out in between. If you're worried about value it's worth every penny, if you're worried about your capability the trip could be adapted to suit most levels. -Rob 2022

I came home feeling very full up from my experience. Loved how you incorporated canoeing with a chunky Munro and camping. A seamless blend of stuff I love to do. Food was fabulous, varied, wholesome and healthy and plenty of it ..a real highlight. I've been enjoying seeing my friends looking shocked to hear you made a pineapple upside down cake on an open fire! And of course the island garlic bread. Highlights were many...canoeing and the peacefulness of it combines with the fun and social element it brings on the water. Loved the river paddle too, a fabulous idea. Climbing the Munro and realising I'm fitter than I thought, always good to know. And those views...wow. You saw them and felt them at the same time. I also enjoyed the expedition feel...plans were in place and they were flexible according to the group, weather. - Karen 2020

Absolutely awesome weekend with amazing people! Many brews consumed and a nice drop or 3 of whisky! Lots of laughs and learned a lot! Food tremendous and thank you again for looking after us. I will deffo see you again on another Howl course! Sleeping at the top of the Munro with a view to die for was a very special moment and something I’ll never forget. All were there to answer any questions at any time. I didn’t feel the trip was too ‘instructory’ which was perfect for me. I did feel though that JD, Max and Robin would have helped me with anything and it felt like we were all just having one adventure together rather than a ‘instructor and participant’. A friendly team and they will put you at ease. It’ll be a fantastic experience and you’ll want to book more! - Paul 2020

You’re all inspiring in your own ways and helped me achieve a few “firsts” that would have been more than challenging without you. Great memories and hopefully our paths will cross again soon Love to you all. - Rhona 2020