Country Activity Craft Week

Country Activity Craft Week

Forget your Package Holiday and join us on our Country Log cabin Activity Craft Week, and you dont have to take our word for it,
just read our clients feedbacks at the bottom of the page,

We have clients who return year after year because they enjoy themselves so much on this course, this speaks for itself,

Our 7 Day Craft Activity Course is ran in an informal way, No timetables, Nothing is Compulsory, No strict Schedules, this is the main core of this course, When you join this course you are able to forget for 1 week the pressures of work and home life, it is amazing what that can do for a person, It really lifts their life up in a way that words cannot explain,

The location has a lot to do with this as well as the informality of the group and course, You will be among friends (or as one past client has said family) you haven't met yet,

You will be spending the week in a Country Norwegian Cabin, set within a private Country Estate of over 7,000 acres of land and woodland with rivers and ponds Most of which are stocked with fish, plenty of wildlife to see and photograph, including Peregrine Falcons, Short Eared Owls, Golden Plover, Hen Harriers, and many more rare species, the Cabin actually has a turfed roof to help with insulation and this is managed and cut every year,

Remote and away from all the hustle and bustle of every day life, but with all facilities to hand,

SOME ACTIVITIES YOU WILL BE DOING

Learn how to make a Forge, also all the secrets into forging, a must if you intend to carry on at home with forging,

Flintsteels, make and finish your own Flintsteel, Take home with you,

Forge your own Knife or Tools, from old steel, forge your own rough knife, shape and finish, Take home with you,

Knife Making, make your own Bushcraft Knife from the best steels available, Take home with you,

Bow Making, make your own Long Bow, shape, stain, seal and finally test, Take home with you,

Arrow Fletching, make your own arrows to go along with your Bow, Take home with you,

Leatherwork, make your own Sheaths for your Knives, arm guards and finger tabs for your Bow, Take home with you,

Refreshing Outdoor Skills, as you go along through the 7 days you will touch on Outdoor Skills, some which include Fire by natural methods, flintsteels and how to use, skinning, gutting and preparing game (dictated by our diet) etc etc

Fishing, have a go at fishing in the private Loch or the river

Pictures for illustration purposes only as the location has changed for 2012 but the activities stay the same

These are only some of the activities you will be covering during your stay with us, other activities are included but will be put into practice when you are there

You may leave us exhausted but with an experience you will never forget, The activities above will be split up to allow plenty of free time to explore the countryside at your leisure, or simply take a walk, get in a spot of fishing ( or fresh water Brown trout), as usual this will all take place in as humerous and light hearted and relaxed way that we can,

Also the evenings are for relaxing, usually the group relax round the log fire and have a good time, this is not compulsory either but most people drop in and out throughout the evening, a great way to socialise and forget the humdrum way of life that we have,

You are not roughing it when you stay with us on this course

You will have all the facilities that you need i.e: WC, Bathroom, Bed, etc

Most people will be in shared Bunk rooms, as this is the only way we can accommodate everyone on this course,

Although we keep couples together,

A great chance for the budding photographer to entwine outdoor survival skills, outdoor activities and photography all in one,

This course is all about people sharing any of their outdoor experiences with others, putting them into practice and learning new outdoor skills,

All your main meals are cooked and served up to you,

Self service breakfast of porridge, cereal, toast etc

Lunch may be soup or bacon rolls etc

Dinner may be curry and rice, potatoes veg and meat

Supper may be scones, buns etc

Menu too big to mention

This is all cooked for you and served

And we have a traditional Scottish Dinner 1 night

The price below covers: Your Course Fee, and all travelling from our premises in Ayrshire costs to and from the location, all food, soft beverages and accommodation, It also covers material prices for all the items you will be taking home,

We have an easy payment system for this course

Payments are divided into 3 portions: Deposit £199, End May 2012 £250, Day of Course £300,

18th August - 25th August 2012

Course Limited Places Now

Price £749 per Individual

Deposit £199

Feedbacks

Any Negatives? There are not enough hours in a day to do all the things I wanted to do. For the third year running those trout have escaped my fishing skills. Next year maybe?

Positives? Too many to mention. The food, the people, the activities, the food, the opportunity to learn new skills, the laughter, oh, did I mention the food?This is my third time and it is impossible to get bored or to find something Alan doesn't know about survival skills

Would you consider returning in the future? I've already booked :-). I can't not go now - these people are my second family! Pete G (adopted son)

Any Negatives? No. OK a small one (very small). Too much crumble. It's nice and Jan makes it lovely but It's not my favourite

Positives? You always start this section trying not to write a novel. Positives you ask? Everything. Interesting people, good friends, freedom, peace and quite, plenty to interest you, the laughs and Alan, Jan and their lads. Not forgetting Billy, the legend that he is

Would you consider returning in the future? Without a moments hesitation or a second thought. Every year is a fight to find a way to get back on this trip Si (Lecky man)

Any Negatives? I had a cold :-( Which was my own fault

Positives? In no particular order:- Good food, Good company, fun things to do and a great location. Also the best weather I have seen all summer!

Would you consider returning in the future? Already Booked Tees (Lockman but now changed to Mr Gadget)

Any Negatives? It went too quickly!

Positives? It was all good

Would you consider returning in the future? Yes, every time Already Booked Big Phil

Positives? The people, the atmosphere, the location/scenery, the weather, the food, the wildlife. There was a definite atmosphere of 'There are activities to get involved in, but if you don't want to do them, that's cool.' I - personally - was apprehensive about the course having never been on such a thing before, and was greatly relieved to see this. I was able to ease myself into the situation, and never felt out of my depth as I was able to go at my own pace

Would you consider returning in the future? Yes, definitely. Already Booked for 2011 Miles!!!!

Any Negatives? One week is not long enough

Positives? Good company
great location
New friends made
New skills learned

Would you consider returning in the future? Already booked Phil (Minty)

Any Negatives? No.

Positives? Really appreciated the effort you went into sourcing and cooking ( in seperate glass pans no less!)my awkward food.
Liked Alan's approach to showing how to do stuff, part of which is working with and asking each other.
Liked having the flexibility to go off and walk around, not being at 'school' and having to do a set project in a set timescale.
Being able to work between projects like knives and bows and leatherwork simultaneously meant I could judge best what my hands were up to and capable of best doing on any particular day.
Given the freedom to be responsible for ourselves.

Would you consider returning in the future? Unfortunately for you, yes. Alreay booked for 2011
Been showing everyone proudly of my new toys. Getting poor clients to give their opinion on whether they prefer Tees' toys from last year to mine, they prefer mine, of course they may not be unbiased as it's before I stick an elbow into part of thier anatomy! Jill (Birdwoman)

Any Negatives? As usual the only negative was having to leave good friends.

Positives? The trip as usual was absolutely brilliant. The weather was gorgeous.
A wicked week with great friends old and new

Would you consider returning in the future? Oh yes, I am ready for my fourth year Mike L (Capman)

Any Negatives? None

Positives? Fantastic i loved everything

Would you consider returning in the future? yes already booked on for 2011 Our Kate

Any Negatives? Oh, and I could never find a pencil. (we have adressed Nic's pencil situation)

Positives? A complete escape from the real world. Just what we needed. Great location, great people, great activities and amazing weather. Thank you.

Would you consider returning in the future? Yes, we sent our deposit off the day we got back. Nicola & Warren

Any Negatives? Leaving. It all seems to be over so quickly. I am left with memories and midge bites, but the midge bites will fade. I still didn't get time to do everything I wanted to do, next year the fish had better watch out.

Positives? This was my second year on this course and I was worried that the first year was a fluke and I wouldn't enjoy it as much, but I did. I learned a lot of new things and made new friends and laughed a lot. I described it to my daughter and she said it sounded like an adult sleepover. This isn't just a practical course, it's a complete rest from all the pressures of home and work. I was so chilled when I got back I was almost catatonic!

Would you consider returning in the future? I have already booked for 2010 and I'm not the only one. Pete G (adopted son)

Any Negatives? It's that the week went by too quickly.

Positives? Oh, where to start! The informalness of the tuition, dipping in and out when you wanted or just not joining in at all. No set times for anything, minimal classroom structure, being treated like adults instead of kids, unlike some courses I've been on. You lot, big positive, you know when to push and when to hold off, and understanding that we all have different levels of ability and adjust to each of us. The fun I had was the best for a long time, and it was nice to be one of the lads and not watch my language (got to get out of that habit now I'm back in civilisation though). For me, my biggest achievement was making the trip at all, there was many times when panic set in at the thought of it, but it's certainly given me a burst of confidence and more of an 'I CAN do' attitude. It was a completely stress-free week, Thanks for everything!

Would you consider returning in the future? Yes, definately, but with booze next time Roz

Any Negatives? yes, having to leave

Positives? the same as last year, I had an absolutely brilliant time; the planned activities were fun and informative. A whole week of laughing. Such a relaxing and fun week.

Would you consider returning in the future? this was my second year on this trip, just try and stop me for a third time next year Mike L (Capman)

Any Negatives? None what so ever

Positives? The boundless knowledge displayed by Alan. The relaxed coaching style which allowed us to achieve results that I would not have thought possible beforehand. Great food and masses of it produced by Jan. Good company In short it was one of the most positive experiences that I have been involved in.

Would you consider returning in the future?

I hope to return next year for more of the same. Phil S (Tesco Man)

Any Negatives? only two faults the first is that it is over all to quickly and the second is that someone keeps stealing my jelly and fruit

Positives? A great way to meet new friends and learn at the same time you should see the fantastic knife that i made lol. you also put on a few pounds thanks to Jans cooking and the large portions that she serves up , will be back next year can't wait.

Would you consider returning in the future? will def be back Big Billy

Any Negatives? Would have liked longer

Positives? I had a great time and learned lots of really usefull stuff form Alan and the other people on the course. I havn't had as much fun on a holiday in years

Would you consider returning in the future? YES Andrew T (lockman)

Any Negatives? not enough diet coke or chocolate. Course not long enough. Alans sarcasam made me cry myself to sleep every nite! Downlighters! they are a big negative, don't buy em for your kitchen!!

Positives? Pretty much everything else. Food = great scones = ambrosia of the gods company = great accomadation = great island = magical beyond description Alans laid back approach to teaching helped to make, what is a full timetable, into a relaxed and enjoyable learning experience. Nothing was too much trouble, including my endless questions. Jan looked after us so well like we were her children, she piled my plate so high I could bearly carry it back to the table, I think she was fattening us up in case we got stranded and she could eat us! The whole experience was amazing, relaxing and informative!

Would you consider returning in the future? without question!! Lenny G (Madnics)

Any Negatives? Not a one.

Positives? Too many to mention. It's a fantastic week where you really do get a chance to get completely away from your everyday life. No work, no shops and no pressure. You can go mental and fill your day full of stuff or just sit around and relax and have a laugh. This year was even better than last year. And next year will be even better than that!

Would you consider returning in the future? Definately. Already planning to Simon P (lecky man)

Any Negatives? I couldn't do as much hiking as I would have liked to, but that was mainly because I was so occupied with other activities, maybe allow myself a bit more free time next year!

Positives? I enjoyed every minute of my trip with the Survival & Safety School. All I can say is wow. Alan is a total font of all knowledge and was more than willing to help, even when I did have blonde moments in the workshop. I was a complete beginner at any kind of bushcraft but did not find the atmosphere or tasks intimidating at all, just looking forward to next year when I can jazz things up a bit now I've got a handle on the basics! Aside from structured activities, the accommodation was spot on, much better than I had imagined it would be. The company in the evenings was great and I mixed with so many people I would never have done in the 'real world'. Jan dealt fantastically with my dietary needs and I have not eaten so well in such a long time.

Would you consider returning in the future? I am already booked for next year Rosie S

Any Negatives? I had to go back to college

Positives? Everything All the people were very friendly and welcoming especially Alan and Jan. The whole time was really enjoyable and I was really pleased with the things I made

Would you consider returning in the future? yes definately Huw (motoboy)

Some Testimonials from this year's trip 2008

This was a tremendous trip We all had amazing time The group was great

The staff was amazing the venue beyond expectation We are all proud of the work we did and learned to do Sophia is going to be showing her steel, knives and bow and sharing some of these photos with her class at school tomorrow Her face when she finished her final knife will always live in memory and heart

All we can all say is thank you

Being from the States don't know when or if we will get to join the survival and safety school again But if we can we will Best Joe Futerman USA (lobster man)

Any Negatives? The only one I can think of was having to come back home

Positives? I learnt a lot, worked a lot, ate a lot and laughed a lot. What more can you ask for?

I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed after a holiday,

There is a line that goes "There are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet", On the trip it was more like family than friends.

Would you consider returning in the future? Definitely, I will be booking for 2009 in the next few days Pete G (adopted son)

Any Negatives?                         None at all

Positives?                  Every part of trip was just the dogs     food was great

Alan knows more than any man should when you can get a real answer from him you just don,t know when he is serious

Jan makes the best scones in scotland I think i put on a stone while there

Would you consider returning in the future?    Oh Yes just try to keep me away Nev O (wicksy)

Any Negatives? the whole thing was over too quickly

Positives? The whole thing was a great Experience, every thing was put across to us in a fun way

Would you consider returning in the future? i will definately make the effort to go again next year Mike L (capman)

Gift Vouchers Available All Year Round

Contact: Alan Jan

Telephone: 01292 531675 or 07753313906

Or you can make cheques payable to: OUTDOOR EXTREME

Send To: Hillend House, Waterside by Patna, AYR, KA6 7JH