Canoe Building Class

Learn How to Build a Beautiful Wood & Canvas Canoe During This Unique 6-day Canoe Building Class. Traditional Woodworking Skills & Carpentry.

LOCATION

Aberfeldy

PLACES

2027 DATES

TBC - 6 Day course

PRICE

£950

COMING SOON

This course is designed to cover all the major steps in the construction of a wood and canvas canoe. Using traditional woodworking skills and mostly hand tools, we'll guide you in all aspects of birthing a new, beautiful wooden canoe.

We'll begin our busy 6 days, with the magical art of steam bending wood - gently coaxing the almost 5o shaped ribs over the form.

Why Wood & Canvas Canoes?

Wood and canvas canoes were born out of the birch bark canoe tradition of the North American continent. They take the best design qualities of the original canoes (flexible ribs with thin planking) and replace the birch bark covering with canvas. What results is a very robust, sturdy and well designed canoe which is absolutely beautiful.

Because of the aesthetic qualities of these canoes, people often assume that wood and canvas canoes are fragile and must be paddled with care. We forget that this is the craft that shaped modern Canada! At the Folk School, we've been putting these canoes through their paces in Scotland for over 12 years and we can attest to their rugged capabilities. They've seen off bony rivers, rocky coastal waters and boat swallowing loch gales, with nothing more than a touch up of varnish or a worn out woven seat! We wouldn't trade our boats for the world. What's more, every part of the canoe can be replaced or repaired (often on the river bank!), and there are many wood and canvas canoes still in service after 100 years. They are the opposite of a landfill problem and are simply a joy to paddle.

How Building A Canoe Works

Some of the elements of building of a wood and canvas canoe take time - for example it takes a few weeks for the special filler applied to the canvas to cure. This means that it's not practical to build a canoe from start to finish in one go. What we have done is distill the process.

Timber Framing Course Details

TBC

Travel and arrival - Detailed joining instructions will be sent out to you well in advance of the course commencing. There is onsite parking at Brodies Timber. The nearest train station is Dunkeld (Birnam).
Accommodation - Accommodation is not included but there is camping only a few hundred metres away at Invermill Farm Caravan Park. Another good option is Grandtully Station Campsite.
Food and Drink - A hearty lunch will be provided each day as well as an endless supply of tea, coffee and biscuits.
Weather/conditions. This course is run fully undercover but in an unheated barn.
Age requirements - 16 - 18 welcome if accompanied by an adult, otherwise 18+.
Fitness/ability - Beginners welcome - some woodworking experience a bonus.
Payment - We take a non-refundable deposit upon booking and the full balance is due 8 weeks before the course. If we cancel the course for any reason (unforeseen circumstances or not enough participants) then we will refund 100% back to you. See our full Terms and Conditions.
Insurance - We have comprehensive liability insurance and risk assessments, but we recommend that you have a basic level of insurance.
First Aid/Medical - Your course leader will be trained to First Response Emergency Care level 4 (Ambulance ECA) and will carry a comprehensive first aid kit with the group at all times. Please bring with you plenty of any required personal medication.
Toilets/showers - There is a toilet on site.

What happens if I'm late for a course? Please keep us informed on your journey if you are going to be late.

Where do I park and is it safe? Private parking is available at the venue

Do you allow dogs? I'm afraid not. In our experience dogs are very hard to manage around our kitchen and food so unfortunately we have a no dog policy.

Is there phone signal and charging available? There is charging available and signal is generally good.

Do most people come on their own? Yes they do, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and like-minded people. We also have many people that choose to come with a friend or family member who also wants to have an awesome time.

Do I need prior experience? Not at all. Some courses are aimed at a more advanced level but this is made clear in the course description. Most courses cater for all abilities including absolute beginners.

Can you give advice on accommodation and the local area? Yes of course! We are fortunate to be based in Highland Perthshire, famed for its beauty, history and plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy. We are only happy to advice on other things to do while in the area.

What is your cancellation policy? Full terms and conditions are available here but basically;

You'll get a 100% refund if we cancel the course (almost never for weather, sometimes if there are not enough bookings but 8 weeks in advance of the course)
If you have to cancel then we will always try to refill the course place, and if we can we will refund you in full.
Full course fee is due 8 weeks before course
- If you cancel 4 - 8 weeks before the course you are liable for 50% of the course fee.
- If you cancel less than 4 weeks before the course then you are liable for 100% of the course fee
- This is due to the fact that courses involve a large amount of planning and expense in advance.
- Sometimes we can transfer you to another course if there is availability.