Archery

Archery

  • Archery in snow
  • children pulling arrows out of target
  • man aiming bow and arrow
  • children lining up to do archery
  • archery targets lined up

Activity Overview

What can you expect from an In Your Element Archery experience?

Come ready for an outdoor experience that will leave you with new skills and bonds forged through our fun take on traditional target archery.  Archery is so much more than just hitting a target!  It’s about learning new skills, having fun and creating unforgettable memories together with your companions. Using quality equipment, our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way.  Learn proper technique and form as you develop your accuracy and precision as you work your way towards the bulls-eye!

It doesn’t just stop at target practice though.  Test your skills against friends, family or your work colleagues in engaging archery games, challenges and mini-tournaments.

All sessions start with a safety briefing – this is important because if handled incorrectly, it could be dangerous. It’s all done very professionally of course, but keeping the tone light and friendly, which is the name of the game with In Your Element.

You’ll be kitted out with a modern recurve bow. They come in left and right-handed versions, as well as different sizes, so the correct archery bow will be selected specifically for you. You’ll then be shown you how to load the arrows, hold the bow, stand and then fire the arrow at the targets.

From thereon in, the instructors will be on-hand to tutor and assist if you need it. Once up and running and as your confidence grows, the instructor introduces some games for you to try. Some are purely competitive, some are really quite funny and others very cleverly get even the weaker archers on a winning streak!

Who can take part in our archery experiences?

Our archery sessions are the perfect sport for just about everyone, and suitable for able-bodied and less able participants.  We also have equipment for children from 8 years old and upwards.  We can cater for all skill levels from archery beginners to those with more archery experience, and we can ensure that everyone gets the most out of the experience. Archers may leave with newly-found skills and wonderful memories.

We can usually cater for those with mental or physical limitations too, but do get in touch to check with us first.

Where can you do archery?

In You Element can potentially bring archery to locations across Scotland from the Highlands to the Lowlands.  This might be at your accommodation, a place of work or an area of private land that you have access to.  As an absolute minimum, we need a large, flat grassy area that is accessible with a vehicle.  Prior to being able to confirm a booking we may need to assess the location for suitability.

We can potentially travel from our activity bases at Aviemore, Inverness, Fort William, Loch Tay, and Loch Lomond.

If you would like to organise an archery experience for your group, please get in touch to let us know where you will be based and how many people are likely to take part.

Price on Request
(Minimum) £440
1 - 2 hours
January to December
8 Years

Suitability

  • Minimum age: 8 yo.
  • No previous experience required.
  • We can also cater for those with physical and mental disabilities but do get in touch before booking to double-check specific requirements.

What to Bring Along

Comfortable outdoor clothing, outdoor shoes, hat, waterproof jacket and sunscreen.

What’s Included

Bows, arrows, finger guard.

Make a Booking

Private group bookings are subject to a minimum booking fee of £440 - if you are interested in a private booking please contact us.

FAQ’s

Weight limits for Kayak and Canoe Tours

Maximum Weight – 18 Stone (114 kg)

We limit participant weight to 18st (114 kg) because from the customer’s point of view:

– there is the safety aspect – i.e. their ability to exit the kayak safely in the event of a capsize (due to the limited size of the cockpit).

– This isn’t as much of an issue for canoe trips, but still makes things more difficult

– There is then the process of getting back in the kayak or canoe. We need to take customer weight into account because our expedition leader may need to rescue the paddler, and amongst other things, this would involve pulling them out of the water, and getting them back into the kayak or canoe, typically during bumpier water conditions. So the weight limit is also put in place to help our guides during rescues.
– During canoe expeditions, it is important that the 2 people paddling together in the canoe are roughly the same weight, otherwise the boat will be out of balance from back to front. This makes it more difficult to control the boat, particularly if windy.
– Finally, from comfort and practicality perspectives, customers will need to be able to get in and out of the kayak several times each day – it is particularly important to be able to do this quickly and unaided if, for example, landing on a beach at times when there a few waves around.

A Guide to Midges in Scotland

If you’re planning to explore Scotland’s stunning landscapes this summer, it’s advised to take precautions against attracting midges and other insects. Learn where to expect them and how best to avoid getting bitten.

FAQS about Midges

What are midges? 

Small two-winged flies which often from swarms or clouds. There are a number of different species of midge, some of which partly feed off nectar in addition to the blood of animals and sometimes humans.

Which type of midge lives in Scotland?

The Highland midge. It’s found throughout the British isles, northern Europe and even northern China.

Are midges like mosquitos? 

No. While midges might look like mosquitos close up and suck blood, they are not mosquitos and do not spread malaria.

What do midge bites look like?

Small red dots which can develop into itchy, painful swellings and even blisters.

Are midge bites serious?

Midge bites are harmless but if the skin around the bite becomes broken it could become infected.

How do midges detect their prey? The midge locates its prey by picking up carbon dioxide exhaled into the atmosphere.

Did you know? Only the female midge bites!

Where are the midge hotspots Scotland?

The west of the Highlands, islands and parts of the Cairngorms. They are also found in Perthshire and Argyll.

At what time of day are midges most active?

At dawn or dusk. They also like damp, clammy days with overcast skies and little wind.

At what time of year are midges most common? 

From May to October.

Where are midges found?

Midges love humid and damp conditions as well as shady spots. Marshlands, grasslands, forests and woodlands, the banks of rivers, ponds and lochs; all are magnets for midges.

At what time of day are midges most active?

At dawn or dusk. They also like damp, clammy days with overcast skies and little wind.

What can you do about them?

We advise buy a midge-head net and possibly buy some insect repellent too, e.g. check the Smidge website.  Midges won’t generally bother you during activities, but if they are around, you may bump into them if you are standing waiting, changing clothes, or resting during an activity.

Participation in In Your Element outdoor activities carries a small risk of injury.  That is unavoidable and something that all participants must accept prior to booking. Although we put a number of measures in place to protect customers, you might still twist your ankle or fall of your bike.

As a company we take a number of steps to minimise the risk of injury to our staff and customers:

  • Our instructors and guides are all fully-trained in the activities they are delivering, and must undergo not only activity-specific training, but also venue-specific training.
  • In Your Element has a comprehensive Safety Procedures and Risk Assessment Document, which is updated on an ongoing basis and audited externally by the activty licencing authority.
  • All our instructors are first-aid trained.
  • Prior to all activity sessions, participants are given a safety briefing and where required, coaching.
  • If weather is looking rubbish, we’ll consider the resulting risk of continnuing with an activity session.
  • We have industry-leading liability insurance should a serious injury ever occur.

In Your Element has an excellent record for safety, so you should feel assured that you are in good hands,  If you do sprain your ankle or get a scrape or 2, we’ll be able to help out where required. However, the odd minor bump or bruise is often a sign that you’ve had a great time and shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

We offer a several activities and have a variety of booking terms in conditions.  You will be given the opportunity to read these prior to booking, so please take the time to do that so you know what’s what.

In general though:

  • You have up until 48 hours before booking to cancel a scheduled activity session that is booked online – this might be TreeZone, a canoe tour, archery or axe-throwing session.
  • For private group bookings, the cut-off point for a refund is 4 weeks prior to the booking date unless we can find replacement business.  There are some extenuating circumstances, but you should bear this in mind when booking.
  • Multi-day Adventuers Holiday typically have a cut-off point of 6 weeks prior to the booking date.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE BOOKING TERMS BEFORE BOOKING!

One of the great things about Scotland is that it rains regularly.  That means we don’t often have water shortages like some other countries!

So, it it’s raining all you need to do is bring a waterproof coat.  It might be worth bringing a change of clothes for afterwards if your legs and feet get wet.

We’ll only cancel an activity session when we feel it will be dangerous to continue.  Think flooded river gorges or swollen rivers.  We might also cancel if there is thunder and lightning forecast or strong winds.  If there are blizzards on the way, that sometimes causes issues too!

Safety is always out first priority, so if we think there is a risk, we will cancel and refund your booking or offer you the chance to reschedule.

So, in short…. remember your waterproof and embrace the precipitation!

Generally speaking, you won’t need any specialist clothing or equipment, but where you do, we will provide it for you.

As a rule of thumb, wear clothing suitable for outdoor activity.

  • So, ideally synthetic/ sporty/ merino clothing, but not cotton/ denim as it stays wet if it gets wet.  Think layers – so you can add or remove as required.
  • Remember to bring waterproofs – it is Scotland afterall.
  • Hats for the cold or the sun.
  • Shades so you look good!
  • Suitable shoes – ideally robust outdoorsy trainers or boots.
  • You might want to bring a midge head net (mainly for late June, to early September).  You won’t always need one of these but they can save the day sometimes.
  • For water-based activities, bring a towel.
  • Water bottle and a snack.

If there’s anything else you need on the day we will let you know when you book.

As a mobile activity company, In Your Element is in the enviable position of being able to offer activity experiences just about anywhere across Scotland.

Although there are a large number of scheduled activity sessions in fixed locations at fixed times we can also offer tailor-made experiences at many other venues and locations.

Our Main Activity Locations are:

  • Aviemore
  • Inverness & Loch Ness
  • Fort William
  • Loch Lomond (Including Forest Holidays Argyll & Forest Holidays Strathyre)
  • Loch Tay Highland Lodges

If you’re not intending to visit one of the areas mentioned, don’t despair. As a mobile activity company, we may be able to bring an activity to a location near you.

We know of lots of venues across Scotland but can also come to your exclusive use venue or accommodation if there are suitable grounds, perhaps use a park nearby or even your garden.

If you have an event in mind and are looking for group activities, get in touch and we can advise on the what, where, and how.

Medical Conditions

We are not able to give medical advice so we recommend checking with your doctor before you book.

I live with a disability. Will I still be able to take part?”

That depends a lot on the type and severity of the disability you live with.  We will always try our best to accommodate people and so far we have had an amazing variety of people who have successfully participated in many of our activities. However, if you are at all unsure, it is best to get in touch before coming along, to discuss things in more detail.

TreeZone Treetop Adventures

We have some more information for you at our Aviemore course, and if you want to come and have a look around before you book to get a clearer idea of what TreeZone entails, then pop in and we’ll happily show you around and discuss your needs.

Alternatively, contact us to chat with us.

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