Canoe and Bushcraft Weekend Loch Lomond 

20-21 July 2024
Or arrange your own dates
also consider: Paddle the length or Windermere (2 Days)

The UK’s Largest body of water  - your playground for the weekend 

Loch Lomond  should be the sea if it wasn't for a few geological occurances  - just look at it on the map  you can literally walk to the  sea at Tarbet (which translates as a place to portage boats). 

No need to be a paddling hero 

The venue is big, beautiful and potentially windy but the support is ample and equipment robust. We make this trip possible for any ability and being only a weekend if you don’t like it, its not a huge trip. 

There is little more Scottish than spending time on Loch Lomond

Add in a dram at bed time and   cuddly haggis from the gift shop - you’ll be painting your face blue and singing for the return of your occupied lands in no time.

ac%20flatwater@2x

Paddle, raft and sail

With a vast expanse of water we use a variety of canoeing methods to make the most of the conditions, that might be joining boats together to make a raft, sailing them, both or neither . The beauty of canoeing is the flexibity it offers.

Self-sufficiency - wonderful simplicity 

With two full days and an overnight (option of 2 night) this adventure is a great chance to take a break from all the pressures and focus on the important things. Food, shelter, fire and friendship (and whisky!).

Great food 

Our trips are always well catered, as we love good food and on this trip will cook fresh food over an open fire.  

And yes this is a muck in event where we can help with your bushcraft talents in fire lighting, shelter building and campfire cuisine.

Canoeing Loch Lomond is great for

Learning%20Difficulties

Autism

Odd%20Socks

Down's Syndrome

Visual%20 %20Walking%20Cane

Have a visual impairment and want to come alone 

Speach%20imparment

Speech Impairments

Visiual imparement with helper

Visual impairment and your own guide

Austism%20and%20learning%20difficulties%20 %20sunflower%20person

Space and calm needs

Amputee%20Leg%201

Amputees

Elderly

Older people

Walker%20Frame%201

Walking sticks or aids

Wheelchair%20 %20Manual

Sports Chair users

Biscuits

Tourettes syndrome 

hearing%20imparement%20 %20t-loop

Hearing needs

Amputee%20Leg%201

Amputees

Elderly

Older people

Walker%20Frame%201

Walking sticks or aids

Visual%20 %20Walking%20Cane

 Those with an assistance dog

Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

Normally have full time support

Wheelchair%20 %20Manual

Manual Chair users

Speak to us if you:

Visual%20 %20Walking%20Cane

Need to make arrangements for an assistance dog

Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

Normally have full time support

Walker%20Frame

Use an electric wheelchair 

Wheelchair%20 %20Manual

Are an essential chair user

GF%20GF%20Active%20Wheelchair%20Users

Need head support 

Sign%20User%20 %20Hello%20Sign%201

Primarily communicate using sign language

Walker%20Frame

Use a hoist to transfer

padlding into the sunsetTwo empty camping charis look out over the waterTwo ladies on the canal in a canoe Wood fired kettle on the shoreNess ferry moored upCanoe Sailng with full sails Rafted Canoes on loch Ness Canoes on the shoreYellow Camping tent Yellow Camping tent

Canoeing - the original adventure boat

An Exploration by Canoe 

Generations of refinement in the remotest parts of the world have resulted in the ultimate inland exploration craft: the canandian canoe. It’s on trips like this that the amazing potential for fun and adventure of a simple craft and classic skills really shine through. 

We meet at the South end of the lake at Balloch (easy access by train) and set off from there to explore the islands* and select our camp spot for our overnight. Chose between hammock, tent or tarp shelter for your accomodation and muck-in cooking a feast over the open fire as the sun sets. 

On day 2 we set out for the North of the lake with the wind behind us, before hopping in the support boat to ride back to the car. 

We have included a single nights camping on Saturday in the main plan to include those for whom 1 night under canvas may be adventure enough. Our thought is those coming from further away might like to arragne their own indoor accomodation in Glasgow or the National Park the night before and/or after. You are most welcome to a motor boat pick up on the evening of the 3rd and to spend two nights camping (we will be), so the kits already packed anyway.

 * This is plan A assuming favourable weather 

Happy man and his tent

New skills 

Open water techniques you use anywhere 

The canoe skills we use here are techniques used across the world for trips ranging from family barbeques to month long great lakes expeditions. 

It's a great way to brush up your skills and knowledge for other journeys or if you're considering one of our cross Scotland trips it is a great trial run to see if you enjoy camping, multi day paddling and test any of our adaptions. 

Showing the inner salloon with a gally down one side and seating round a table all in wood
Stern of the boat showing access gate in back
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel

Making Canoeing Inclusive 

How we adapt canoeing to your needs 

We can't list everything here but below is a summary of our top enablement tools.

Outriggers and Rafting 

We can stabilise your canoe by either adding outriggers to each side or by joining two canoes together. 

Stable Canoes 

We imported our canoes all the way from Canada to get the best most stable craft available

Seating options 

We have a huge range of seating options from just a comfy cushion or backrest to a full support seat with support straps if needed. We use these big seats alongside the canoe stabilisation systems to ensure that you stay upright. 

Land Boarding 

We can send another climber alongside to help with positioning or understanding transitions.  We can use our portable gantry hoist to  board people (you will require a manual chair as the beach is challenging at Balloch)

Radio headsets

We can talk you through the position of holds and get in the right position straight to headphones or via bluetooth to your hearing aid. This is great for enabling visually impaired people, those who need to focus on a single voice as well as those who would struggle to hear instructions 

Freedom the Powerboat

Freedom is like our superpower - by having an accessible powerboat we don't have to fight or hide from the weather - we know we can always get home and she makes rescues a doddle

Transport 

This trip is centred around an accessible train station. Balloch 

Showing the inner salloon with a gally down one side and seating round a table all in wood
Stern of the boat showing access gate in back
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel

Making Camping Inclusive 

How we adapt camp to your needs 

We can't list everything here but below is a summary of our top enablement tools.

Loos during the day 

Those who can't just pop to a bush rest assured we have a collapsible, portable rails and privacy tent. The departure point has a standard accessible toilet. 

Loos in the evening 

Our island has two accessible composting toilets - nothing else not even water but two good loos

Tipi tents

We have big lightweight tipi tents they allow chair users to wheel inside and have loads of head room and manoeuvring space to get positioned right 

Raised beds or floor sleeping 

We can sleep on a raised bed facilitating easy transfers or floor sleeping. For floor sleeping, we have tiered transfer stools to aid the changing of heights. Inflatable mats and an extra large inflatable mat for people with back problems. 

Raised cooking and fires

We have raised fires and tables for the stoves to enable people to reach and take part in the cooking and fire lighting. The fires are special wood gas stoves that direct most heat upwards protecting low-sensation legs and wheelchairs. 

The stoves also help prevent accidents as its hard to actually touch the really hot stuff

Important Loch Lomond Info

Dates and Costs 

  • 2 days adventure and 1 nights buschcaft camping 

  • Meet: Balloch Train Station 20 July 2024 10am 

  • Depart :  Sunday 21 July 4pm 2024 (last train to London and everywhere else) 

  • £344 per person 

    Accomodation is in, tent, tarp or hammock (if suitable trees)

What is included?

  • Tent, hammock or tarp in a single or doubles (your choice)

    We supply sleeping equippment including sleeping bags, mats and tents

  • All meals from Saturday Breakfast (if staying on Friday) to Sunday Lunch 

  • All technical equipment

  • British qualified Canoeing Instructors

  • Transport from and to the train station

  • Bring only a small bag as we are travelling by Canoe - we provide everything for outdoor living
    (and it is great quality comfortable stuff)

What do we actually do

  • Brush up your Canoe skills 

  • Paddle the  most sung about Loch in Scotland 

  • Paddle two to a canoe, go solo, , make rafts and sail - nearly every way of making expedition canoes travel

  • A dram at sunset

  • Camp in amazing places

  • Watch sunsets bemoan early sunrises

  • Light and cook by campfire

  • Have a laugh as a friendly welcoming group of like-minded people

Canoe Lomond Accessibility Statement

Ability%20vision%20400

Vision

  • AR_M%20 %20Can%20Travel%2010m

    Suitable for people able to navigate short stretches of rough ground unaided and longer walks with assistance

    AR_V%20 %20See%20Objects%20Clearly%20at%202m
  • We are well staffed for this trip, a lot of help is available for support both on and off activity time

    Or

    Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

    Come with an adventure buddy

    Or

    Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

    Arrange an Anyone Can volunteer guide

Ability%20cognition%20400

Cognition

AR_C%20 %20Self%20Manages%20Day%20to%20Day
  • Suitable for those able to self manage without dedicated support or with a dedicated carer

  • We will help with meals, reminding about medications etc 

  • Participants should be capable of understanding and acting appropriately around fires and at the water's edge without constant supervision 

    Or

    Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

    Come with an adventure buddy

Ability%20Mobility%20400

Mobility  

  • AR_M%20 %20Can%20Travel%2010m
  • The trip is possible for walking aid users.

    Regular transfers are required on most days. Normally these are between a good quality, level, floating platform and canoe 

  • People who use wheelchairs (essential users)

  • AR_M%20 %20Can%20Sit%20Unsupported%20on%20a%20Bench%203AR_M%20 %20Can%20Bum%20Shuffle%201

    This trip is possible for an adventurous wheelchair user who can self transfer and bum shuffle (we bring a motorboat as support)

    The wild areas of the journey are not adapted,  or are situated across unsurfaced beaches and woodland

    The essential facilites (toilets, sleeping and boats) are accesseesed over concrete, boardwalk and firm short shorn grass

    We have a portable toilet,  and privacy tent with portable handrails and  can set up on any suitable surface or even right next to the canoe for a direct transfer 

    Transfers can be made bewteen the canoe and support powerboat to access  you chair and then by ramp onto walkways etc

    We have raised beds, intermediate transfer steps (to assist getting to ground) , and tall tents for sleeping 

    The portable toilet and rails can be located in the sleeping tent overningt 

    We have raised fireplaces and stoves for cooking

    We have supportiuve seating, grip aids and one handed steering systems

    We have supportive outriggers that remove most of the risk of capsize and allow for a range of seating heights. 

    Access to canoes can be made on land before slidin in, directly inside the powerboat (before sliding in or a side transfer from pontoon you’ll likely do all three at some point 

Ability%20Audio%20400

Auditory 

  • AR_A%20 %20Can%20Hear%20Instructions%20or%20Lip%20Read

    Suitable for people with most auditory impairments that do not require signing to communicate 

  • A BSL assistant instructor is occasionally available

  • We have radios and Tloop transmission  units to aid hearing when seperated in differing boats 

    Or

    Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

    Come with an adventure buddy

    Or

    Emma%20Briggs%20Design%201

    Arrange an Anyone Can volunteer guide

From London by rail 

Hop on the Caladonian Sleeper and snuggle up. You will wake up in Glasgow on the morning - 1 stop on the Glasgow underground and hop on Balloch train

TOP TIP  look at buying a Glasgow return ticket separately which are often much cheaper and then buy singles onwards

Or

Travel up during the day before, stay overnight in Glasgow and get the Balloch train the next day.

Other places by rail

Any rail route that arrives in Glasgow is easy.  Glasgow is the Northern terminal of the West Coast main line and Edinburgh (50mins from Glasgow) is similarly the head of the East Coast mainline. This means that most of the UK is in easy reach of a train going the right way. 

By Air 

Fly into Glasgow City  (Belfast, Bristol, London, Birmingham, Manchester) one train to Centre then another to Balloch

Sounds great - let's do it

Send me a booking form

I’ve got more questions

Ask a question or call us

We love questions, please pop anything you would like to know here and we will get back to you asap

or give us a call on 01539 310041

or drop us an email on info@anyoncan.uk

Not quite right, need different dates, want control of the itinerary or want to save money by filling your own trip?

We love commissions, requests for alternate dates and requests to make specific adaptions - in fact, we would not exist without them.

So please, if you like what you read but it's not quite there or you want something different, do get in touch and we look forward to hearing from you. 

Send us a message

Ac%20dark%20BG

Keep up to date with Anyone Can 

Subscribe to Anyone Can email updates

Excellent accessibility icons designed by Emma Briggs Design

Emma Briggs Design

European Start up Funded 

euroflag
Leader%20logo
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development  

Europe investing in rural areas

Anyone Can: Connecting Transport Hubs to Lake Shores - Accessible Canoeing

Purchase of an accessible powered support and rescue vessel, and a mobile fleet of canoes with trailer

It is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 

Supported by the Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Action Group 

© Anyone Can LLP:  2019-2023  
All rights reserved