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 2025

Expeditions cost £265.00 per person.

Open expeditions 2025

Date	Level	Duration	Type	Travel
Wed 15^th- Fri 17^th Oct 2025	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Walk
Mon 20^th - Wed 22^nd Oct 2025	Silver	3 days	Practice/Qualifier	Walk

Open expeditions 2026

Date	Level	Duration	Type	Travel
Mon 13^th - Wed 15^th Apr 2026	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Walk
Mon 13^th - Wed 15^th Apr 2026	Silver	3 days	Practice/Qualifier	Walk
Sat 30^th May - Mon 1^st Jun 2026	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Walk
Sat 30^th May - Mon 1^st Jun 2026	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Canoe
Mon 6^th - Wed 8^th Jul 2026	Silver	3 days	Practice/Qualifier	Canoe
Mon 6^th - Wed 8^th Jul 2026	Silver	3 days	Practice/Qualifier	Walk
Fri 17^th - Sun 19^th Jul 2026	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Canoe
Fri 17^th - Sun 19^th Jul 2026	Silver	3 days	Practice/Qualifier	Canoe
Fri 24^th - Sun 26^th Jul 2026	Bronze	3 days	Training and Qualifier	Walk
Fri 24^th - Sun 26^th Jul 2026	Silver	3 days	Practice/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 2025

Date	Type
Sat 11^th Oct 2025	Campcraft & Navigation

Skills Days 2026

Date	Type
Sat 7^th Feb 2026	Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 7^th Mar 2026	Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 21^st Mar 2026	Canoe Expedition Skills
Sat 9^th May 2026	Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 6^th June 2026	Campcraft & Navigation
Sat 6^th 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.

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.

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