DofE Gold Expeditions In Scotland

Training, practice and qualifying gold expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Active Outdoor Pursuits is an Approved Activities Provider for Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) training, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions in Scotland. We run a number of these expeditions throughout the year. We provide open expeditions for individuals to book on to, and bespoke packages for school and youth groups. Our open expeditions are by canoe and kayak.

We also offer walking, mountain biking and stand-up paddleboarding expeditions for groups of 4 or more (contact us for further details)

If you have any questions, or would like to talk to someone about our Gold DofE Expeditions, please get in touch.  Send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 01540 210 000.

2026 and 2027 Gold DofE Expedition Dates

Our 2026 training / practice expedition and qualifying expedition dates are below.  You can book onto any of these expeditions, and you might want to consider booking a back-to-back training day, practice expedition and qualifying expedition. This runs over a 9 day period with a rest day in-between.  If you are a group of 4 or more, you can book a walking, mountain biking or stand-up paddleboarding group on the same dates.  Please contact us on 01540 210 000 or [email protected] to discuss availability.

  • Training & Practice Expedition (Kayak / Canoe) – Oct 14th to 17th 2026.
  • Qualifying Expedition (Kayak / Canoe) – Oct 19th to 22nd 2026.
DofE Approved Provider

Additional Options

Are you booking a group of 4 or more?  Do you have a specific mode of transport or a particular route in mind?  If so, give us a call on 01540 210 000 or drop us an email to [email protected] and we can discuss your plans. 

For a group of 4 or more people we can offer training, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions for a range of modes of transport, including canoes, kayaks, mountain bikes, walking, stand-up paddleboarding, or even a combination.

DofE Gold Residentials

Are you just looking for information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Residential? Click below:

About our Gold Expeditions

Come and join one of our fantastic Gold DofE practice and / or qualifying expeditions in Scotland.  We welcome individual or group bookings for our canoe and kayak expeditions.

  • SUP, walking and mountain biking expeditions are available for group bookings of 4 or more.
  • All of our Gold DofE expeditions are supervised and assessed by our team of professional, qualified instructors.
  • We offer back-to-back Gold DofE practice and qualifying expeditions.
  • To book onto these expeditions, you must be registered for DofE and have a DofE ID number.
  • We also offer skills training days
  • Contact us for more details – [email protected] 01540 210 000.

What is involved?

Our training and practice expedition in Scotland (canoe, kayak, mountain bike, walking or stand-up paddleboard) is a 4 day and 3 night package:

  • Participants should arrive by 10:00am on day 1.
  • We provide 1 day of skills training & preparation followed by a 3 day practice expedition.
  • All 3 nights will be wild camping.

A qualifying expedition in Scotland (canoe, kayak, mountain bike, walking or stand-up paddleboard) is also a 4 day and 3 night package.

  • Participants should arrive by 09:00 on day 1.
  • 3 nights will be spent camping on the expedition.
  • Expeditions take place in the Cairngorms National Park and throughout Scotland.
  • The training / practice expedition and qualifying expedition can be booked back to back with one rest day in-between.

What Do We Provide?

  • Pre-Gold DofE Expedition planning and advice.
  • Technical and safety equipment (e.g. canoes, kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids etc)
  • Expedition equipment (e.g. tents, sleep mats, stoves etc) if required.
  • We are a DofE Approved Activities Provider with accredited supervisors and assessors for both practice and qualifying expeditions.
  • Transport from our outdoor centre to the expedition start point and transport back at the end of the expedition.
  • Additional skills training days in canoe, SUP or kayak prior to the expeditions (please contact us for further details and prices).

Gold DofE Expedition extra links:

Gold DofE Scotland residential

DofE website

Dofe Expeditions Provider Further Information.

Related Articles

Active's Blog

DofE Expedition Planning: Key Dates and Booking Tips

This planning note summarises key actions for arranging Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold expedition and residential places with Active Outdoor Pursuits, using our Gold expedition ...
Read More →
Happy abseiling kid
Active's Blog

Learning Beyond the Classroom: School Trips to Craigower Lodge Outdoor Centre

Are you ready to take learning to new heights? Say goodbye to traditional classroom walls and hello to the great outdoors with Active Outdoor Pursuits ...
Read More →
An image of Craigower Lodge, Outdoor Adventure Centre in the Cairngorms
Active's Blog

Nature’s Playground: A Guide to the Thrills & Experiences that Await at Our Outdoor Adventure Centre in Scotland

In the heart of Scotland, where rugged mountains embrace the sky and untamed landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, lies our Outdoor ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top