Summer
Summer activities available from April until mid October.
Canoe & Kayak
Two of our most popular activities. Both allow groups to gain ‘water confidence’ whilst learning new skills and having a great deal of fun! Our British Canoeing qualified coaches will help your group to achieve beyond their own expectations and give them a taster of safe, fun paddle sports.
Why you should include canoeing and kayaking in your Glencoe activity programme Canoeing offers groups the chance to work together, usually in groups of two or three to manage their canoe whereas kayaking offers groups the chance to work as individuals each with their own boat. Some paddling takes place in the beautiful and historical slate quarry in Ballachulish, It's a very special place and it is perfect for beginners or more experienced kayakers who want to improve their skills on a windy day. Our instructors use a range of entertaining activities to help groups develop skills and to venture further by exploring Loch Leven.
Sailing
Glencoe Outdoor Centre is an RYA recognised Training Centre
Sailing is a key summer activity for all our guests at Glencoe.
Why include sailing in your Glencoe Activity programme? Water confidence, spectacular sailing environment, introductory sailing skills or skills development leading to RYA certification which can set you up to hire or charter your own sailing boat.
Sailing – Longboat
The long boat can be sailed, rowed or motored and is the perfect vessel for increasing water confidence, learning crewing & sailing skills, exploring Loch Leven & Loch Linhhe and day or overnight expeditions.
Sailing – Dinghy
For those groups that are looking for more water sports activities dinghy sailing is a fantastic addition. In one session a group will learn the basics of dinghy sailing; how to sail, ‘go about’, and what to do in the event of capsize, whilst sailing a one-man ‘Topper’ dinghy. Dinghy sailing is usually scheduled for secondary school aged guests and above, the skills learnt set individuals up with the basics they need in order to consider sailing of any kind in the future. Our instructors are all RYA Qualified and all dinghy sailing activities are accompanied by a safety boat and operate within our RYA recognised sailing centre.
RYA – skills training and certification available: Dinghy levels 1-3, stage 1-4, Seamanship, Day Sailing, Sailing with Spinnakers;& Power Boat: Level 2 and Safety boat.
Sailing – Yacht Cruising
Debbie Williams – resident on-site director – is an RYA Yacht Master Instructor with commercial endorsement.
Courses run include: week long or weekend cruises exploring the West coast of Scotland;
RYA Practical cruising courses: RYA Competent Crew; RYA Day Skipper; RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yacht Master Off-Shore preparation course.
RYA Shore based courses: RYA Day Skipper/Watch Leader theory; RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yacht Master Off-Shore theory.
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Canyoning
An activity to get your heart racing! After a short walk up beside the river, amazed by the stunning Loch Leven scenery, we will ease into the water and start walking, sliding and jumping our way down the canyon.
Led by UK canyon guide assessed and experienced instructors, canyoning is a fun, exciting and challenging activity giving a great opportunity to explore your adventurous side.
Why include canyoning in your Glencoe activity programme? The sheer excitement and fun of descending the river! A high point of any trip to Glencoe.
Canyoning is usually scheduled for secondary school aged guests and above.
Hill Walking
From a half day walk into the historic and beautiful Hidden Valley to a full day in the local mountains such as the wee Buachaille, or an ascent of Ben Nevis, we will tailor walks to suit the age, fitness and experience of the participants.
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Glencoe and the surrounding area as qualified Mountain Leaders lead you on your journey, sharing environmental and historical knowledge.
'Love the feel of the place, it all comes down to a) the staff & b) the hills! Huge THANK YOU!' Prep School teacher
'Thank you for helping me to achieve climbing Ben Nevis.' 'Thank you for encouraging me up a mountain and helping achieve my goal'. Prep school pupils
‘Being on a week away when hill walking was mentioned always made my heart sink but this is different. Steps, steep rock paths and boulder caves with amazing views’. Centre staff team member
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking takes place on the local Glencoe trails using our fleet of 'Specialised’ mountain bikes. Instruction is provided by qualified British Cycling Mountain Bike Leaders.
Why include biking in your programme? Learn to ride a bike, experience off road cycling and improve your biking skills.
‘Thanks for teaching me how to ride a bike' Primary School pupil
'Mountain biking was amazing!' 'The bikes were the best piece of gear.' Primary School pupil
Rock Climbing
Climbing and abseiling activities usually takes place at a single pitch crag at Onich slabs but can be held at other venues including Glen Nevis.
All rock activities are run by Mountain training UK approved qualified staff (minimum of single pitch award), in a safe, encouraging and supportive atmosphere.
Your Glencoe activity programme should include rock climbing for personal challenge, team encouragement & support and the adrenalin rush of successfully overcoming your fears and achieving more than you imagined! You might even find you have got the bug and talent for a new sport to be continued at your local climbing wall when you get home.
Staff team comment: ‘It's a great activity with an impressive view. It's a climb that makes you feel like you have accomplished something without the pressure of knowing you have to get to the top. It's perfect for all skill levels as the rock face varies in degree of difficulty. It's an encouraging sport to participate in as it's easy to see your progress when you suddenly look down and see how far you have got’.
Tyrolean Traverse
A Tyrolean traverse is a method of crossing through free space between two high points on a rope. At Glencoe Outdoor Centre we have the perfect gorge, the River Coe behind the Centre, over which groups can cross using this method. Our qualified climbing instructors set up the crossing, and then allow groups to build up enough courage to take the initial steps to cross the gorge!
Why include a traverse? This is an excellent activity for secondary aged and above groups to encourage confidence and teamwork as well as allowing individuals to challenge their own expectations of themselves!
Plus all the activities available all year!
SUP Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding is a popular choice with our guests. Increased water confidence and FUN, a great new addition!
Our instructors are BC coaches or instructors who have completed a Stand Up Paddle Board discipline support module and/or Paddle Sports Touring Leader on SUP.
Archery
Archery at Glencoe takes place in the Centre grounds and is run by Archery GB Instructor qualified group instructors. Archery continues to be one of our most popular activities for all school groups due to the huge progress in skill level which can be made by all participants during a single session.
A group leader is requested to accompany the group on this activity. Where no group leader is available a second group instructor will accompany the group.
'I loved it and really liked archery & might continue with archery' Glasgow pupil