It is thought that the bow and arrow has been around for more than 50,000 years, so here’s your chance to try out one of the earliest inventions known to humankind.

Concentrate and focus on the immediate moment. Relax. As our experienced archery instructors help you to filter out distractions you will start to master the long bows and compound bows that we use for our archery classes. It’s a steep learning curve but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how quickly your skills improve. This activity really hits the target!

Our local crags, which overlook the waterscapes of Loch Eck or the vistas of Glen Finnart, provide climbing experiences for everyone from beginner to our own qualified and experienced staff.

With the expert guidance of our climbing instructors you will soon locate the foot and hand holds to take you to the top of a crag using the best route. You can shout ‘I’m the King of the World’ when you reach the top, though we don’t usually encourage this type of showy behaviour!

A not-to-be-missed opportunity. Bring biology, geography, ecology and other life science studies alive by taking your books outdoors into the unspoilt environment. While your primary 7s may enjoy an introduction to rock pools, your highers could carry out project work and the site-specific knowledge of our instructors will prove to be invaluable.

Study rivers, saltmarsh succession, seashore and human ecology right on your doorstep. The possibilities for ‘in the field’ learning are enormous.

You may need to cross stepping stones, jump across gaps and climb up rocky steps, over trees and up waterfalls. Your wellington boots might fill with water as you tackle each obstacle, but the smiles on your friends’ faces will help you forget that squelchy feeling! Savour the teamwork, appreciate the new skills you develop and tick off a heap of things you have never done before.

Using harnesses and climbing ropes to go for a walk along the high beam, or leaping from a tree may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Whether you choose the ‘High Reach’, ‘Catwalk’, ‘Pole Climb’ or ‘Zip Wire’ you’ll need to dig deep to find the courage to complete a challenge only you can set. With the support of your experienced instructor and your teammates you will finish this session feeling very proud of your friends and yourself.

On the way to the top of a local hill on the Cowal Peninsula you will learn to read a map, increase your environmental awareness, possibly build a shelter and then enjoy your packed lunch when you reach your final destination.

Indigenous people from the Arctic region developed the kayak several thousand years ago, today Inuits still paddle their own kayaks. Using a double bladed paddle and having a single person kayak completely under your control, your qualified and experienced instructor will teach you the basics of this paddle sport. Using either the waters of Loch Eck or to the front of the centre you will receive a full safety briefing before you work with your teammates to get your kayaks to the shore, followed by a potentially very wet session!

Experienced kayakers might want to take part in an expedition around the many islands in West Scotland – together with our qualified coaches we will tailor the course and, if you wish, a trip to suit your individual skills and requirements. Please click here for email enquiries.

Stable open canoes (or ‘Canadian canoes’) are ideal for exploring the local waterways, as they have fitted seats and plenty of legroom. Our experienced and qualified instructors will open your eyes to the joys of canoeing - there’s a lot more to it than paddling in a straight line…and learning that can be tough enough!

Exercise your mind and body as you navigate between control points using your orienteering map, working out the best route as you go along. With the help of your instructor you will learn how to read a map and find your way around the course. Runners, joggers and walkers can all enjoy orienteering so there are a few options on how you can approach this activity, depending on how energetic you feel. You could go for a timed run or enjoy your new skills at a more leisurely pace and walk around our wonderful grounds.

Move from one contrived team challenge to the next. You select the best leader, practical ‘hands on’ type or mentally gifted members of your team to problem solve or reach the end of each task against the clock. The more challenges you solve, the more challenges we pose. At the end of the session we review your team’s effectiveness.

This session is a notch up from our basic gorge walking activity and the focus is on teamwork and adventure. During this exciting higher level activity you will use buoyancy aids, wetsuits and basis ropework to tackle more challenging river-based obstacles such as deeper water, bigger waterfalls and plunge pools. When the going gets tough, the tough go technical gorge walking!