The Spey
An expedition like no other!
5 Day Canoe and Bushcraft Expedition
8-12th October 2023
£840pp (fULLY CATERED)
ONLY 6 places available!
Join us for a Scottish expedition down the River Spey and an escape into the wilderness.
Spectacular scenery, thrilling rapids, the finest outdoor cooked food and tuition from masters of their craft.
This trip is like no other.
Working in collaboration with Steve Le Say of Axe and Paddle Bushcraft and Laura Sylvester of Boca Loco, to create an incredible expedition that will combine canoeing with a comprehensive bushcraft course, wilderness cooking and wild camping on one of the most scenic rivers in the UK.
Not only are you delving into this classic canoe route with Ollie as your canoe coach and guide, but along route we are joined by one of the UK’s most authentic bushcraft practitioners, Steven Le Say, for traditional wilderness skills from friction fire lighting to spoon carving. All the while we will experience some of the best outdoor cuisine, a Scottish inspired wild menu cooked on open fires, you will be well fed by chef Laura.
This will be a feast for the eyes, mind and belly, wild camping, open fires and plenty of laughs, we hope you make friends for life on this trip of a lifetime.
Spaces are limited to 6 people for this five day expedition. This is to ensure you will get a full immersive experience, which means lots of one-to-one tuition, guidance and the chance to soak up skills and knowledge that will stay with you long after you get home.
The River
The River Spey is iconic when it comes to canoe touring and a journey that should be a must on every paddler’s tick list.
Starting our journey at Loch Insh with the Cairngorms as a backdrop we’ll make our way down the river, covering over sixty miles on gentle moving water and through exciting grade 2 rapids. We’ll pass through beautiful Highland countryside and ever-changing scenery as we make our way to the sea.
There are usually many wonderful wildlife sightings when on the river, ranging from ospreys to dippers, otters, deer and salmon.
The Spey flows past beautiful villages and many distilleries with over half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries being located in Speyside.
The Canoeing
Over the course of the five days you’ll be guided and coached by Ollie.
Ollie will help to progress your paddling from flat water techniques to moving water skills and river running strategies as we head from the flat and gentle moving water of the first day to the grade two rapids further downstream.
The distance covered each day allows for time to be spent coaching and developing your personal paddling skills. We’ll progress your paddling ability by providing the skills and knowhow to leave you confident on the water and able to safely paddle and take on future trips in a similar environment.
The Bushcraft
Steve is a primitive skills and bushcraft expert and craftsman who has spent many years practicing skills inspired by Native American culture. He spends his time making crafts and teaching others, through his business Axe & Paddle, which he founded with wife Kirsty in 2012.
During our trip Steve will provide bushcraft sessions at each camp teaching traditional methods, skills and crafts such as spoon carving, fire lighting using flint and steel, bow drill or hand drill, camp-fire cooking, campcraft skills and more…
Take a look at Axe & Paddles Instagram Here
The Food
Since a very young age Laura has been surrounded by food.
Laura takes inspiration from all corners of the globe to create fresh, exciting and delicious food which she brings to people via her event catering business Boca Loco.
Laura will be creating an exciting Scottish inspired menu which she will be cooking over an open fire each day of our trip.
Expedition food has never been so luxurious!
For an example menu put together by Laura for the trip click Here
Take a look at her Instagram Here
All dietary requirements will be catered for.
The Details
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
You should have a basic level of competence in paddling tandem knowing the strokes to feel confident on slow moving rivers. For those who have no experience, following a day with Ollie separate from this trip you will have the level of skill required.
WHAT DO I NEED?
You’ll need to get yourself to Loch Insh.
A full kit list will be sent out at the point of booking.
WHATS INCLUDED?
All safety equipment
Specialist equipment- Canoes, Paddles, Helmets, Barrels
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the entirety of the trip by Laura (Boca Loco)
Guiding and Coaching from Ollie Sandeman
Bushcraft tuition from Steve Le SayShuttle from Spey Bay back to Loch Insh
Parking at Loch Insh
PLEASE NOTE
Minimum age is 18 years old
We’ll have a maximum number of 6 participants on this trip
All participants will paddle tandem unless discussed with Ollie.
A deposit of £150 is required at the point of booking.
What clients have had to say…..
“A massive thanks from me, awesome week and throughly enjoyed it all, great team and group of guys.
Photos were also fantastic and thank you for taking the time to get some shots.
Oh and another thanks for taking the time coaching me before we went. ”
“Thank you for organising this trip - think everyone really enjoyed it. No downtime and the staff team was great. Laura’s food was perfect, Steven’s bushcraft is solid and he’s also a great entertainer - not much new to say about your canoe/leadership skills! The fact you guys got on so well really put everyone at ease. And there is no faulting that river.”
“Thank you for the trip, the combination of you Steve and Laura were great. The planning, the camp sights, the food and the evening activities round the fire were excellent. It was tough but added to the sense of achievement and it was good to have shorter days to hang out with the group in camp.
The timings and planning were evident but it was really relaxed.
It was the most relaxing and rewarding week I have had for many years. ”