Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials in Scotland
Complete your DofE Gold Residential section with an unforgettable week at Gowanbank
Looking to complete your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Residential? Join us at Gowanbank, based in East Ayrshire, Scotland, for a week packed with outdoor adventure, leadership development, and lasting friendships.
We offer DofE Gold Residentials that fully meet the official criteria – and give you much more than just a ticked box.
Upcoming DofE Gold Residentials
Next dates:
Our next residential weeks run:
- 28th June – 2nd July 2027
- 23rd – 27th August 2027
Book your place online:
Multi-Activity Week – June 2027
Watersports Week – June 2027
Multi-Activity Week – August 2027
Watersports Week – August 2027
What to Expect
Our Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials are designed to help you grow in confidence, push your boundaries, and connect with others, all while having a great time.
Each week includes:
A full programme of activities
Opportunities to build leadership and teamwork skills
Time to reflect, relax, and socialise in the evenings
A warm, welcoming environment where everyone’s included
What’s Included
✔️ All activity sessions (on-site and off-site)
✔️ Qualified instructors and all equipment
✔️ Accommodation in shared en-suite rooms
✔️ All meals from Monday lunch to Friday lunch
✔️ Bedding provided – no need to bring a sleeping bag
✔️ Fully meets the requirements for the Gold DofE Residential section
Who Can Join?
Anyone aged 16+ who is completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is welcome to book. In line with DofE rules:
You should not know most of the other participants beforehand
Ideally, you should book individually or with just one friend
We require a minimum of 5 participants to run each residential
Cost and Bursaries
£415 per person
If cost is a barrier, speak to your local DofE manager about accessing a DofE bursary to help with funding.
Getting to Gowanbank
Gowanbank is based in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with excellent public transport connections.
- Take the train to Kilmarnock from Glasgow or Carlisle
- Then catch Bus 1 to Newmilns, we’re just a short walk from the stop
- Aim to arrive around 10:30am on Day 1
Need to arrive later? No problem, just let us know in advance!
Why Choose Gowanbank?
We’ve been welcoming young people and groups for years and are known for:
Our supportive staff team
A safe and inclusive environment
Programmes that are challenging, rewarding and fun
A chance to build skills and confidence that go far beyond DofE
Ready to Join Us?
Spaces are limited and our residentials fill up fast, so don’t miss out.
Click the links below to find out more and book your place:
- Multi-Activity Week: 28th June – 2nd July 2027
- Watersports Week: 28th June – 2nd July 2027
- Multi-Activity Week: 23rd – 27th August 2027
- Watersports Week: 23rd – 27th August 2027
📧 Got questions? Contact us, we’re happy to help.
I thoroughly enjoyed this week, the climbing day was my favourite activity followed by the crate climb (although I really enjoyed all activities so this is a tough call). The activities at night were very fun, especially the scavenger hunt and playing werewolves as a group. Great opportunities to explore the area and make new friends. All staff and volunteers were lovely and very helpful, definitely made it a lovely and exciting experience.