Duke of Edinburgh Open Expeditions

Are you looking to join a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expedition but don't have a group? Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre are running a range of open DofE expeditions in Scotland. All of our expeditions leave from our base in Lochgoilhead, Argyll and visit different parts of the local area - we have forests, mountains, and lochs all on our doorstep.


If you've missed your school or youth group expedition, or are completing your Duke of Edinburgh award independently, why not join one of our organised expeditions.


Open Expeds 2026 What's Included What you'll need Skills Days How to book


Expeditions cost £265.00 per person.

Open expeditions 2026

 Date Level  Duration  Type   Travel
Sat 30th May - Mon 1st Jun 2026 Bronze  3 days   Training and Qualifier  Walk
Sat 30th May - Mon 1st Jun 2026   Bronze  3 days  Training and Qualifier  Canoe
 Mon 6th - Wed 8th Jul 2026  Silver  3 days Practice or Qualifier   Canoe
 Mon 6th - Wed 8th Jul 2026  Silver  3 days Practice or Qualifier   Walk
 Fri 17th - Sun 19th Jul 2026  Bronze  3 days Training and Qualifier   Canoe
Fri 17th - Sun 19th Jul 2026   Silver  3 days Practice or Qualifier   Canoe
Fri 24th - Sun 26th Jul 2026   Bronze  3 days Training and Qualifier   Walk
Fri 24th - Sun 26th Jul 2026   Silver  3 days Practice or Qualifier   Walk

 What's included

  • Supervision and assessment (where applicable) from qualified Ardroy instructors and DofE supervisors/assessors.
  • Transport to and from start and finish locations.
  • Expedition equipment: tents, stoves, fuel, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, rucksacks.
Bronze (training & qualifier - three days): One full day of training in navigation, campcraft and expedition skills, while you walk or paddle a short journey to your first night's overnight camp. On the morning of day two, your two day and one night qualifying expedition will begin.

Silver (practice - three days): One full day of training in navigation, campcraft and expedition skills, while you walk or paddle a short journey. Your formal practice expedition starts at camp on the first day, and continues for the following two days and one night.

Silver (qualifier - three days): Three day, two night qualifying expedition with supervision and assessment.

You will arrive at the Centre at 09.30 on the first day of your expedition and finish back at the Centre on your last day at 16:00.

What you'll need to bring

  • Personal equipment (check the DofE website for more information about what personal kit you need to bring).

  • Food (expedition meals can be purchased from Ardroy for an additional charge of £5.00 per item, please get in touch before your expedition if you would like to arrange this).


How to book

Please fill in the booking form and select all dates that you wish to book. If you are booking on to an expedition or skills day with a friend or group of friends and you would like to be in the same group, please note this in the 'additional information' section of your booking form. 


Skills Days

Do you need to improve your skills before your Duke of Edinburgh expedition? We offer skills days to help you with your navigation, campcraft, first aid, personal paddle skills, and more. Content of skills days will be discussed and agreed with the participants to help you meet your needs.

Book a skills day with us before your practice or qualifying expedition (either with us or elsewhere) to help improve your confidence and abilities, making you more ready to complete your expedition successfully.


Skills days cost £65.00 per person.

(If you book a skills day at the same time as an open practice or qualifying expedition with us, the price is discounted to £60.00 per person).

Skills Days 2026

Date Type
Sat 21st March 2026 Canoe Expedition Skills
Sat 9th May 2026 Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 6th June 2026 Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 6th June 2026 Canoe Expedition Skills

What's Included

  • Instruction from qualified Ardroy instructors.
  • Transport during course.
  • Specialist equipment: maps, compasses, canoes/sea kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids etc.
  • Training in navigation, campcraft and expedition skills.
  • Training in canoe/kayak skills and rescues (if applicable).

What you'll need to bring

  • Personal equipment (check the DofE website for more information about what personal kit you need to bring on expeditions - you will need similar kit for a skills day).
  • Packed lunch and snacks.

How to book

Please fill in the booking form and select all dates that you wish to book. If you are booking on to an expedition or skills day with a friend or group of friends and you would like to be in the same group, please note this in the additional information section of your booking form.

Payment

To secure your booking, payment of the course invoice must be made within 14 days of receipt. The course invoice will be issued to you on receipt of your booking form. Please check your spam folder if you have not received your invoice following submission of a booking form.

All course fees include a non-refundable administration charge, that will be listed on your invoice (£10.00 for Expeditions and £5.00 for Skills Days).

For further information about payment timelines and booking terms and conditions, see the full terms and conditions here.

Other Duke of Edinburgh award enquiries

If you already have a group organised and are looking for a centre to deliver a DofE expedition, please contact us, or email Ardroy.DofE <at> outdooreducation.co.uk*. We are a registered provider of bronze, silver and gold training, practice, and qualifying expeditions, using walking, canoeing, or sea kayaking as your means of transport.

For any queries relating to our DofE courses please get in touch via email or call us on 01301 703353. Please check your spam folder if you have not received a response to your email.


(* change the <at> to an @ symbol)