Join us on the Isle of Mull for an unforgettable week building your very own kayak or canoe! Whether you’re an experienced craftsman or have never picked up a tool before, this course is designed for everyone. Over seven days, you’ll turn a pile of timber and plywood into a beautiful, seaworthy boat ready to take home. Hosted in our purpose-built workshop on our idyllic croft, this hands-on course offers learning, adventure, and craft.
Over seven packed days, you’ll go from having little (or no) woodworking experience to becoming the proud builder of your very own boat. This transformative week takes place in our purpose-built workshop on the Isle of Mull, surrounded by glorious views and stunning beaches, with just enough breeze to keep the midges at bay. You’ll leave not only with a beautiful, seaworthy boat but also a set of valuable skills and some great new friends.
This is a full-on, hands-on course. We start at lunchtime on Saturday and work full days through to Friday. Expect to be on your feet for long periods, working with tools and materials to bring your boat to life. Days often extend beyond 5pm to ensure all the work gets done, but don’t worry—our experienced instructors are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
We’ve successfully welcomed participants of all ages and abilities, from parents with children as young as 8 to retired couples in their 80s. You can attend solo, but if you’re building a canoe, we strongly recommend bringing a helper as these larger boats are more work for a single builder. Regardless of your starting point, we’ll make sure you leave with a completed boat ready for its first float.
You’ll build one of three expertly designed boats, all made from marine plywood, Douglas Fir timber, and fibreglass for a strong yet lightweight finish. Whether you choose the Shrike Sea Kayak, the Peterborough Canoe, or the larger Prospector Canoe, you’ll create a craft that is not only beautiful but also built to last.
We’ve honed our approach over the years to strike the perfect balance between fun, skill-building, and achieving a high-quality result. The proof is in our track record: nearly 100 boats built since 2017, with every participant leaving with a completed craft and a smile on their face.
By the end of the course, your boat will be fully constructed and water-ready. However, to prepare it for a lifetime of adventures, you’ll need about 40 additional hours at home to paint or varnish it. Don’t worry—we provide all the guidance and support you’ll need for this final stage.
Your course fee includes optional camping next to the workshop, with access to:
For added comfort, you can upgrade to our cosy yurt with a real bed and wood stove, perfect for unwinding after a day of building.
Shrike Sea Kayak (5.3m, 16kg)
A sleek, manoeuvrable kayak inspired by traditional Greenland qajaqs. Perfect for touring or rock-hopping in rough water.
Peterborough Canoe (4.7m, 27kg)
A compact and elegant canoe for solo paddlers or two smaller people. Great for day trips or light touring.
Prospector Canoe (5.2m, 43kg)
A larger, versatile canoe ideal for carrying two adults and gear for extended trips. A robust and manoeuvrable design, perfect for wilderness adventures.
Our workshop is located on our croft on the Ardtun Peninsula near Bunessan, offering glorious views, proximity to beautiful beaches, and ample fresh air.
Facilities include:
Camping on-site is included, but you can choose from a range of local accommodation if camping isn’t your preference.
We have a detailed accommodation guide which we can provide to you upon request, and we are always happy to chat and find the best option for you.
Choose us for an unforgettable boatbuilding experience led by expert instructors in a stunning Isle of Mull location. With no prior experience needed, our course guides you step-by-step to craft a high-quality, seaworthy boat using premium materials like marine-grade plywood, Douglas Fir, and West System Epoxy. Designed for all ages and abilities, the course fee covers everything for up to two people per boat, including optional camping with full facilities or the option to upgrade to a cosy yurt. With nearly 100 successful builds since 2017 and glowing reviews from participants, we combine expert guidance, beautiful surroundings, and continued support to ensure you leave with a boat to be proud of and memories to last a lifetime.
Spaces fill up fast, so book early! Your booking includes camping, all materials, and access to our workshop facilities. Upgrade to our on-site yurt for extra comfort.
Simply choose your preferred dates, fill out your details, and we will be in touch. You will have the opportunity to ask any further questions before making payment to secure your spot.
We look forward to welcoming you, and helping you craft your very own boat!
We pride ourselves on building high-quality, functional boats that are as beautiful as they are practical. All of our boats use a combination of pre-cut marine plywood parts, solid Douglas Fir timber, and fibreglass reinforced with West System Epoxy. These techniques produce lightweight, durable boats suitable for a lifetime of use. Below, you’ll find detailed information about the boats you can choose to build during our course.
Inspired by traditional Greenland qajaqs, the Shrike Sea Kayak combines classic hull lines with modern materials for exceptional performance and beauty. Its sharp bow lines and long waterline make it fast and manoeuvrable, with the rocker and chine design providing stability and agility in waves. Though it may feel tender at first, paddlers quickly adapt and enjoy its responsiveness.
Each kayak is built with three watertight compartments for storage: a foredeck hatch, an easily accessible rear hatch for essentials, and a larger aft compartment. These are fitted with screw-on hatches for simplicity and durability, though optional Kajaksport hatches are available upon request for an additional fee.
For smaller paddlers, we can create a scaled-down version at 90% size, ensuring an excellent fit and improved handling.
The Peterborough Canoe is a compact, elegant design that’s perfect for day trips and light touring. With a lightly rockered hull and moderate beam, it offers excellent stability while maintaining a sleek, fast profile. The design features tumblehome sides, a shallow-vee bottom for balance, and narrow waterlines at the bow and stern for speed and efficiency.
This canoe is crafted from pre-cut plywood panels, assembled with cable ties and reinforced with fibreglass and epoxy. The transparent fibreglass finish highlights the natural beauty of the plywood, making it ideal for varnishing. Each Peterborough is fitted with two ash seats and a central yoke for easy carrying, with customisation options available.
The Prospector Canoe is a larger, more robust design, ideal for carrying camping gear or tackling challenging water. Known as the "workhorse of the North," its high freeboard and full bow and stern provide excellent performance in rough conditions. The rockered keel line enhances manoeuvrability, while the tumblehome sides keep the boat stable and easy to paddle.
This canoe requires slightly more work due to its size but offers unparalleled capacity and durability. It’s equipped with three ash seats, two thwarts, and customisable features to suit your needs. Like all our boats, the Prospector is reinforced with fibreglass for a strong yet lightweight build that can handle years of adventure.
We are based on the beautiful Isle of Mull, near the village of Bunessan where we have set up a stunning new teaching space. But we travel across Scotland to work with groups and communities that would like to build boats.
All of our weeks are residential in nature and your course fee includes all materials, tuition and use of tools to get the boats built. As well as this we include an option to camp on our croft and use the facilities in the workshop - toilets, showers and a self catering kitchen with cooker/oven and fridge space. We provide a welcome meal on the first night, and tea and coffee and snacks through the week but you’ll have to bring your own food for breakfasts, lunch and dinners. We don’t provide alcohol, but many find a wee glass of wine at the end of a day in the workshop is quite nice - you might want to bring a bottle (or two) with you.
Yes! We run courses all around Scotland in all kinds of ways - we can fit a whole workshop in our van and can come to you. In some cases it can work out cheaper for us to travel to you and work with your group where you are, rather than to book onto a course. We work with community groups as part of funded projects but also for private clients. In 2023 we organised a week of boatbuilding for an individuals’ 50th Birthday celebration!
None! Our courses are designed for complete beginners, and no prior woodworking or boatbuilding experience is required. Our instructors guide you through every step, providing detailed instructions, demonstrations, and support. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Yes, you can attend solo. However, if you’re building a canoe, we recommend bringing a helper, as canoes are larger and involve more work. A helper can make the experience more manageable and enjoyable, especially during tasks that require two sets of hands. The price of the course is determined per boat (as opposed to per person), with up to 2 people welcome to build each boat.
The course is active and hands-on, involving long days on your feet. Tasks include sanding, assembling, and finishing components, so a basic level of fitness is helpful. We do our best to accommodate all abilities, and our instructors are on hand to assist with heavier or more challenging tasks.
We provide all tools, materials, and safety equipment needed for the course.
This includes:
You’ll also have access to our dedicated workshop and professional-grade tools.
Here’s a practical list of items to bring:
Optional items include a dust mask, protective gloves, and your favourite hand tools, though we supply all essentials.
Camping is included in your course fee. The camping area is located next to the workshop, and you’ll have access to:
If you prefer more comfort, upgrade to our on-site yurt or book nearby accommodation.
Yes, to some extent. While we follow a proven build process to ensure success within a week, certain customisations are possible, such as:
Please let us know about customisation requests when booking, as some may incur additional fees.
Our structured programme ensures you’ll leave with a fully constructed boat ready for its first paddle - everyone we have ever had on our courses has finished their boat! However, additional finishing steps, such as painting or varnishing, must be done at home. This typically takes around 40 hours. We provide detailed instructions and ongoing support if you have questions during the finishing process.
Most participants transport their boats home on roof racks. Kayaks and canoes are lightweight, making them easy to secure with straps. If you don’t have a roof rack or suitable vehicle, let us know in advance, and we can help you arrange transport options.
No, the course is self-catering. You’ll have access to a shared kitchen with cooking facilities, and we provide a communal meal on the first evening to welcome everyone. Bring your own food for the week or shop locally in Bunessan.
Yes, our purpose-built workshop is fully enclosed and equipped for year-round use. It includes a clean teaching area, a messy machine shop, and all the tools and materials needed to build your boat comfortably, regardless of the weather outside.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
About the centre
Ardtun, Isle of Mull
Operated by Archipelago Folk School, a partner of adventuro.
