Wild Food Kayaking Adventure, Galloway, South West Scotland

Event Details and Logistics

Meeting Point: Galloway coast between Kirkcudbright and Isle of Whithorn. We will give as much notice as possible as to our exact meeting point.

Route: This will be entirely dependant on weather (especially wind), sea and tidal conditions, as well as the paddling ability within the group. The route and itinerary will be outlined when we meet, but remains flexible throughout the trip  to maximise enjoyment, and foraging opportunities, and to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved.

Finish Point: Conditions may mean that our paddling journey does not finish in the same location as it begins. In this eventuality, everyone will be returned to their vehicle or other connection at the end of the event.

Equipment: Adventure Carrick will provide you with sea kayaks, paddling equipment, buoyancy aids, tents, sleeping mats, and any other equipment highlighted prior to the event. You are welcome to bring your own kit if you have it, but there is no price reduction for this.

Kit List: A kit list will be provided prior to the event and also what equipment we have on offer, including dry bags. We will show you how to pack your kayak.

About Your Guides

This event is a collaboration between Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods and Chris Saunders of Adventure Carrick. It is born of friendship, a shared love of the outdoors and eagerness to offer an amazing experience in an accessible location that showcases all the wonders of the Galloway coast through an immersive experience.

Chris has over 30 years industry experience in teaching watersports and an abundance of qualifications which allows him lead, guide and teach in various crafts and environments. When he isn’t on the water, Chris runs a mobile Gin Bar!

Mark has been teaching about foraging and wild food for over 30 years, and has taught and nurtured many of the new wave of foraging guides and enthusiasts. Mark will provide the foraging tuition and lead the wild catering, while Chris and his fellow paddling guide will be responsible for keeping everyone safe and comfortable on the water. Both will enjoy telling you about the geography, folklore, smuggling stories and natural history of the Galloway coast,  keeping you comfortable in camp, and sharing their passion for foraged cocktails!

What To Expect

The Journey

We will disembark in a calm, sheltered area of water where everyone will have a chance to get a feel for their kayak, and how it handles, and practice their paddle strokes. This won’t take long as kayaking is really simple and intuitive – we’ll soon be underway and your paddle guides will provide bespoke tips and tuition on paddle technique if and when you need it as our journey progresses.  Once everyone is comfortable we will head towards our first night’s camp spot, stopping for foraging and lunch along the way.

Upon arrival at our first night’s destination we will make camp and enjoy a foraged meal together, light a fire and enjoy the sunset with some wild tipples.

The next morning after breakfast we will decamp and head off on the next day’s adventure There is also the possibility  (sea condition-dependent) that we will use one camp spot for both nights, which minimises packing/unpacking time, and maximises foraging/paddling time.

More journeying, foraging and lunch, exploring tidal islands, smuggler’s caves, and catching low tides to explore seaweeds.

The second nights’ camp will also consist of an evening foraged meal, time for socializing and enjoying the natural environment with a foraged sunset cocktail or two.
The final day will consist of more foraging and lunch as we head to our final destination and the end of our expedition.

 

The Foraging

The Galloway coast is an amazing natural environment, with a multitude of habitats and coastal foodscapes, including rocky shores, shingle beaches, sandy bays, salt marshes, maritime hedgerows and coastal woodlands. This is the richest coastal foraging environment in Scotland, with a diverse array of nourishing, succulent and delicious wild coastal herbs, vegetables and seaweeds.

Foraging on a kayak journey is not the same as foraging on a guided walk. While, on occasion, we may be able to connect with and learn about seaweeds while at sea, generally we will need to set ashore and explore on foot to forage.

The Paddling

The trip is suitable for all levels of paddling experience including complete novices. We will adapt to the comfort level of all attendees, which will most likely mean short stretches of paddling (maximum of 2 hours usually a good bit less) at low speeds.

Stability/Capsizing: Sea kayaks are stable in the water, especially when loaded for multi-day trips, so novices should feel comfortable and able to enjoy the journey throughout. You will be fully briefed on capsize drills before going on the water (but won’t have to get do capsize drills). Capsizes are rare, but if they do happen your paddle guides are highly trained and will have you back in your kayak in minutes, with water pumped out. Gear is stored in dry bags in watertight holds, so won’t get wet.

Fitness Levels: In terms of effort required, paddling a sea kayak is comparable to walking, only you are predominantly using upper torso and arm muscles. You do need a moderate level of fitness and the ability to sustain a steady effort over an hour or more will mean you can fully enjoy the experience. At times you will have to help carry the kayaks to and from the water’s edge. If you do not enjoy physical exercise or have a low level of fitness, you are likely to find sea kayaking challenging. All clients will be contacted directly by paddle guide Chris before confirmation of booking to discuss your levels of experience and fitness for the trip.

The Food and Drink

The trip is fully catered to a high level and we can accommodate most dietary requirements. Your dietary requirements will be requested on booking.

Breakfast is usually porridge, with lots of trimmings, including birch sap syrup, wild herbs, nuts and fruits.

Lunch and dinner will incorporate many wild ingredients, some of which will have been pre-foraged/prepared by Mark, and others that we will forage during our journey. Meals will be freshly prepared and also include the finest non-wild produce Galloway has to offer.

Wild Camping

Our journey will take us to remote beaches and coastal woods where we will make camp. The plan is to make a different wild camp on each night of the trip, which enhances the journeying experience. However, conditions may make it better to camp in the same location for two nights, and this brings the advantage of less time spent setting up and taking down camp, repacking kayaks etc, allowing more time for exploration.