Our team of Young Ambassadors are organising a Canoe expedition through the Great Glen October 13th-17th 2024 and would like to invite other young people to join them. 

Hopefully you have heard of the Paddle Scotland Young Ambassadors before but if not, we are a group of young people trying to promote paddling to youths across Scotland with the help of Paddle Scotland. We hope to bring more youths into paddling and encourage those already in the sport. 

Currently we are planning to spend five days paddling in open canoes from Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen Way with Emy McLeod and Grant Dolier supporting us starting on the 13th of October 2024.

This trip will be the last trip with this intake of Young Ambassadors as it is a two-year programme, and we will soon be passing on to another group of keen young people. This trip will allow us to explore the area, meet up with our fellow young ambassadors - which is hard when we are spread across Scotland - and enjoy five days of canoeing.

If you would like to join us, please drop an email to lara.cooper@paddlescotland.org.uk for more information. The trip will cost £400 + food.

Meet some of the Young Ambassadors doing the trip:

Ava 

I have been paddling since I was 8 years old and am a keen sea kayaker but am happy in pretty much any boat you put me in. I love paddling as you get to adventure in some amazing places that often can’t be seen from land and meet lots of great people who are always there to help and support you. I have begun to do coaching and leading within paddlesport and I have loved being able to pass on my passion for this incredible sport to other people. 

Ailsa 

I started paddling with my university club in Aberdeen and I have loved it ever since. I find that it’s a great way to get outdoors and explore new places, while also pushing and challenging yourself in both a physical and mental way. During my time with the club, I’ve been able to achieve things that I never expected when I first joined, and I have met an amazing group of people while doing that. I'm excited to be able to explore even more of Scotland during this trip, to expand my paddling skills and to spend time with other young people who also love to get outdoors and spend time on the water.

Rhodri 

I started kayaking more seriously almost as soon as I moved to Scotland in 2018. My years have mostly been on the sea up and down the west coast but I've more recently started white water kayaking over the weekends throughout the past year and a half. We are lucky to have some of the best kayaking in the world here and it's a perfect sport, no matter the mood you're in. The friendships are great, and I love to get outdoors and see places and do things I never would have otherwise. The Great Glen expedition is a fantastic idea - no matter how old or young you are, grabbing some friends and some kit and taking a few days to enjoy nature from the water while helping improve the profile of paddlesports is the best!

Hannah 

I love paddling, as it has allowed me to meet lots of inspiring people who have encouraged me to develop my paddling skills. I enjoy days on the water which can be both relaxing and adrenaline boosting, whether I’m out sea kayaking or on the river. I’m really looking forward to the Great Glen trip (having realised I enjoy canoeing!) and I hope our adventure will inspire us, and other young people, to explore and create more paddling opportunities in Scotland.

Sasha 

I'm really excited to paddle the Great Glen with its stunning views and find hidden gems of Scotland’s beautiful countryside, all with a group of likeminded paddlers, having a great time with laughs along the way.