Banffshire, North Scotland Inspiring personal progress Adventure starts at Loch Park Promoting inclusive activity for everyone, with adventure and safety in equal measure and memories that last a lifetime
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Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 3 Welcome to Loch Park Are you keen to learn new skills, enjoy outdoor activities and experience new adventures in beautiful surroundings? Come and join us at Loch Park in Speyside a superb location on the world famous Scottish whisky trail that s perfect for anyone keen to enjoy the outdoors. Loch Park is fully inclusive and welcomes people and organisations from across the community. We re an experienced provider of services to people with learning disabilities and regularly take on placements as part of the community-based programmes we run with local authorities. Our regular visitors include: Schools Scout, Cub, Guide and Brownie packs YMCA Corporate organisations Boys Brigade Local people looking for adventure Groups looking for an activity-packed short break A helping hand Our on-site manager and team of qualified professionals are happy to help you with any activities you wish, from canoeing to archery, gorge walking to trout fishing. Just let us know in advance if you d like their help.
4 Living Ambitions Enjoy adventure safely Loch Park is open 7 days a week from April to October. For safety reasons, all activities are dependent on what the Scottish weather may throw at us. For example, if there are high winds blowing across the loch, then canoeing might not be possible. But, with a huge range of activities to choose from, there s always a fun alternative. What to bring We supply wet suits, gloves, helmets, buoyancy aids and cagoules all of which are included in the cost if you re joining us for an activity day or stay. However, you will need to bring some items with you: Clothing suitable for good and bad weather (the elements can change quickly here) Walking boots A towel Swimming costume An old pair of trainers A packed lunch, if you re joining us for the day As you d imagine, we ve got some great biking tracks to explore, so do bring your bike if you can. The Loch Park team are here to help you get the most from your break, however action-packed or leisurely, so do call or email us if you have any questions about what to bring.
Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 5 Really enjoyed the activities a great balance between learning and having the freedom to have a go and have fun with the activities. Beth Allan
6 Living Ambitions Activities to suit every adventurer At Loch Park there s truly something to suit everyone. So whether you re an experienced canoeist, an amateur archer or simply fancy learning how to build a raft, our activity leaders are happy to tailor activities and instructions to suit your needs. We aim to fill the day with a variety of experiences, crafting your itinerary from a combination of activities. We offer: Canoeing and kayaking use our canoes and kayaks or your own An exhilarating burn scramble use your hands to balance while climbing up a mountain stream; the water is icy cold and the course has some extra-exciting sections A one-hour archery lesson or team archery competition which could determine the next Robin Hood or William Tell! A range of team building activities, including raft building and orienteering Extensive mountain bike trails for all abilities Wildlife walks and talks, including deer spotting or something tamer with our chickens. These activities are priced per person, per hour for a minimum group of six people. Over 18s cost 16.00; under 18s pay just 14.00.
Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 7 Canoe and kayak self hire (over 18s only) 15.00 per hour (2-person canoe) 15.00 per hour (single person kayak) Brown trout fishing You ll find some of the best brown trout fishing in Scotland on the Loch Park estate. There is a bag limit of three fish. 20.00 for one rod 30.00 for two rods The activities at the centre were varied and enjoyable and the instructors were great. Elaine Webster
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Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 9 Bush craft and wilderness living skills Anyone who s a budding Bear Grylls or Ray Mears will love our courses in bush craft and wilderness living skills. Learn the skills and knowledge to survive and thrive in a wild landscape on a fullday taster session or an overnight wilderness camping experience. Build your own bush course: Whether you d like to get a taste for all the skills you d need to live wild, or fancy focusing on just a couple, we can put together a tailored itinerary built on any of the following With our fire lighting skills course you can learn to successfully light and sustain a fire using a range of natural and man-made materials Learn which sort of fire you need for warmth, cooking and signalling Discover shelter building and learn how to site and construct a shelter to protect you from the elements you can even stay in it overnight! Find out how to source food and water safely in the outdoors and discover the types of food that you can find naturally in the wild Choose our environment and nature course and your guide will walk you through the estate, teaching you about the creatures that live there. Learn the skills of tree and plant identification and discover their uses for food, medicine and fire building Forget the sat nav! Take our navigation course to learn how to use a map and compass and even nature to find your way about Our packages of courses are charged based on a minimum of six people participating: Per person per day Over 18 yrs Under 18 yrs 70.00 50.00
10 Living Ambitions Arrive as a group and leave as a team We often find that groups of people arrive at Loch Park having lived, worked or studied together for years. Throw in a map leading to hidden treasure, the materials to build a raft, some light hearted competition and the adventurous spirit of our team and you ll find that you too leave as a team. A team is only as strong as the weakest member, so our team building itineraries can be crafted around any mix of abilities and we will happily design a programme to meet your needs. Sample group itinerary Who: Youth group from Tyne and Wear of eight teenage boys and three accompanying adults When: May 2012 Aim: To have lots of fun, gain a sense of achievement and learn to work together as a team. Day 1 Morning After taking in the stunning surroundings, the group meets the Loch Park team and has a health and safety briefing. All kitted out, they canoe up the loch with a stop-off mid way for a picnic lunch. Afternoon The group collects dry wood in the afternoon sun and learns how to build a fire after all, no wilderness trip is complete without a toasted marshmallow and songs around a campfire! Evening Time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the woodland before settling into the bunkhouse for a good night s sleep. Cost: 900.00 covering all activities, equipment hire, instruction/supervision and accommodation
Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 11 Day 2 Morning After an early breakfast it s on with the boots and off for a 10am archery lesson to find the next Robin Hood. Next it s a session on our ropes course before a well-deserved lunch. Afternoon With everyone kitted out in wetsuits and safety equipment, it s off for an afternoon of raft building on the loch before an exhilarating burn scramble. This is one of our most popular and challenging activities and gives everyone a great sense of achievement. Evening The early evening is a great time to visit the chickens, look out for deer or take a walk through the tree nursery before enjoying a barbeque.
12 Living Ambitions Accessible accommodation and facilities Our rustic, yet accessible accommodation is in perfect keeping with the location. The Swan Bunkhouse Formerly the village shop, the self catering accommodation in the Swan Bunkhouse is a short distance from the adventure centre and sleeps up to 16. Accommodation includes: Two rooms, sleeping up to six people each Two rooms sleeping up to two people each A fully equipped kitchen/diner Sitting room Laundry facilities Four single shower rooms A wet-gear drying room The bunkhouse has central heating and linen is included in the cost of rental. Use of the Bunkhouse is 20.00 per person per night for groups of 6 or more. This increases to 25.00 per person per night for groups of less than six. Camping For organised groups looking to stay closer to nature, we have a great space to pitch your tent and there s no limit to the size. Facilities on the campsite include hot running water, shower blocks, toilets and wash basins. There is access to a sheltered barbeque area and picnic tables. Camping is charged at 5.00 per person per night and a flat fee of 2.00 per tent. The bunkhouse is fully ramped and accessible for wheelchair users and has one room with an ensuite shower room and WC, specifically adapted for people with disabilities.
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14 Living Ambitions Exploring the area... Ours is a great location in the Strathisla Valley with lots to see and do. So why not stay a little longer? Things to do and places to go in the local area Get active with the endless range of hill walking, rambling and trekking Fish in the River Spey Visit Balmoral, the Queen s summer residence Take a tour of well known whisky distilleries, including Glenfiddich Get up close to nature at the Scottish Osprey centre in Granton-on-Spey Relive the age of steam with a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway at Grantonon-Spey Further afield Treat yourself to world class skiing in the Cairngorms National Park Aviemore is just an hour away See wild dolphins at Speybay Visit the historic town of Elgin, home of Scottish cashmere and the ruins of Elgin Cathedral Go monster hunting at Inverness, gateway to Loch Ness, the home of Nessie the legendary Loch Ness monster There s also a fully accessible walk from the village to Loch Park and a tourist train which runs from Dufftown to Drummuir.
Specialist adventure centre Loch Park 15 Contact details For all enquiries and bookings, please call us on: 01542 810334 The road to adventure Or email us at: lochpark@livingambitions.co.uk www.livingambitions.co.uk/loch-park Loch Park Adventure Centre Drummuir Castle Estate Drummuir, Keith Banffshire, AB55 5JX Bogbuie Wood Tor Wood Wood of Kininvie Tulloch Wood B9014 Lochend Wood Lochpark Wood Sunnybrae Wood Loch Park Reyel Wood Loch Park B9014 B9014 Haggieshaw Wood Scug Wood Botriphine B9014 B W F Parkmore B9 014 Parkbeg Wood ufftown th Centre n al St Marys Church A941 Milltown of Auchindoun A920 A920 Castleview B&B A920 A920 All prices are correct as of June 2013. We may need to withdraw or change these prices at any time, so please contact us for a personalised quote.
livingambitions.co.uk/loch-park lochpark.co.uk