Benmore Outdoor Centre School Trip
Benmore Outdoor Education Centre
Dunoon Argyllshire PA23 8QX
Residential Trip Residentials Scotland
Set amongst Botanic Gardens in a rural location in Argyll, we are only 2 hours drive from Glasgow city centre. At Benmore we are able to make the most of our stunning location, midway between two lochs for water-based activities, with a rugged natural landscape providing the ideal setting for gorge walks, shore scrambles and caving. We are focused on delivering the outdoor learning skills and activities which are not only useful during the years of formal education, but will help influence lives and careers for many years to come. We offer a wide range of residential learning experiences which form part of The Curriculum for Excellence, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, JASS and a wide range of other outdoor educational learning courses.
We also offer Benmore for study/music/arts weekends. Activities can be added on these weekends if wanted. We have self catering facilities which can be booked on this type of weekend if you would like your group to be self sufficient.
To support groups we can now offer a reduced catering option to reduce costs on some dates.
We have special rates for schools in quieter months
Last of Summer 2026 late availability. From £400 for 4 nights residential All inclusive
Prime summer spot has become available.
15-19 June 2026 for up to 100 pupils.
Contact us to discuss.
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What activities are available during educational visits in 2026?
Benmore Outdoor Centre offers a range of activities including:
Climbing Wall, High and Low Rope Courses, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Orienteering, Kayaking, Caving, Gorge Walking, Abseiling, Wild Swimming, Shore Scrambling, Bush Crafts, Forest Walks, Night Walks, Sailing Problem Solving.
Climbing Wall, High and Low Rope Courses, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Orienteering, Kayaking, Caving, Gorge Walking, Abseiling, Wild Swimming, Shore Scrambling, Bush Crafts, Forest Walks, Night Walks, Sailing Problem Solving.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Watersports School Trip
Sailing Kayaking Canoeing Raft Building Power Boating
At Benmore we are lucky have both an inland loch and a sea loch right on our doorstep. This is an ideal environment for watersports, and we are able to offer sailing, canoeing, raft-building and kayaking.
Physical Education School Trip
Climbing Canoeing Orienteering Sailing Kayaking High Ropes Coasteering Gorge Walking Caving
Benmore offers gorge walking, caving, climbing, biking, abseiling, high ropes/low ropes course, indoor climbing wall, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, orienteering, raft building and more.
Each group typically has a dedicated instructor who builds relationships quickly and adjusts the course in partnership with you and the participants to maximise support and challenge. We rely on past experiences to ensure participants achieve and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding within different contexts. Participants will have time to reflect on their experiences and discuss their next challenge!
Bushcraft School Trip
Bushcraft is about acquiring the skills and knowledge to survive and thrive in the natural environment. Practicing resourcefulness, you will learn to light a fire, cook on an open fire and build a shelter. Bushcraft fosters a close connection with nature and builds confidence and self esteem.
Fieldstudies School Trip
Sampling and Statistics Coastal Ecology Ecosystems Rivers Towns and Cities Mapping
The spectacular environments around Benmore contains a vast variety of scenery, habitat and land use. Whatever the content of your field studies course, you will be able to come into close contact with lochs and burns, mountains and glens, towns and farms. You will encounter the inhabitants and some of the forces that shape the landscape. In the end, you will have a better understanding of the beauty and complexity of the Scottish countryside. In the Benmore area, field study sites include Strath Eck, Glen Massan.
Outdoor Learning
What size groups do we cater for?
We can accommodate groups from 10 to 120 people. Activity groups are arranged into groups of 10. Our facilities can also be booked for self led activities such as study weekends or other. We have new a self catering kitchen which can be booked by groups.
On-site classroom facilities?
We have various classroom spaces complete with clevertouch interactive screens
Is there first aid on site?
All instructors are Advanced Outdoor First Aid trained.
Access for visitors with disabilities
We have one ground floor twin bedroom with adjacent newly refurbished accessible bathroom.
Our instructors are experienced in working with children with additional needs. Benmore works closely with groups to make the programme as inclusive as possible with specialised equipment and support.
Please contact the Centre to discuss your needs.
Our instructors are experienced in working with children with additional needs. Benmore works closely with groups to make the programme as inclusive as possible with specialised equipment and support.
Please contact the Centre to discuss your needs.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
We are experienced in working with children with a range of Special Educational Needs, and supporting them through our programme of activities.
We have various adaptable safety equipment to be able to support physical needs.
Please get in touch to discuss any specific issues or general questions.
Who are Benmore Outdoor Education Centre?
At Benmore Outdoor Centre we want to encourage all communities and age groups to discover outdoor environments and activities. We engage individuals, educational bodies and organisations in recreational, adventure, social and personal development through awards and achievement programmes. As a member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning, we share their values and ethical practice.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments AALA Licence Institute of Outdoor Learning Duke of Edinburgh Award AHOEC Gold
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