Living a life beyond my wildest dreams
Angus leaves Scotland behind to pursue his great adventure
A SCOUT leader inspired by Ray Mears is now building Native American canoes in the Canadian wilderness.
Angus Simpson left bustling city life in Scotland behind so he could pursue his love of the outdoors in a remote part of Ontario.
Having grown up watching British expert Mears’ shows about bushcraft, he’s always been interested in survival.
Moving to Canada meant the 25- year- old engineer could spend all his spare time trekking and canoeing in remote areas, where he has already come face to face with a frightening array of wild beasts.
And the Strathclyde University graduate has also learned how to build Native American canoes made from birch bark, sealed with bear fat and spruce tree resin.
He’s been producing his latest batch of canoes using fat from a bear that his friend shot.
Such is his prowess that he’s even made radio appearances discussing his work.
Angus, from Mary kirk, Aberdeenshire, said: “I was inspired by reading survival books and watching Ray Mears’ shows when I was growing up.
“I went to uni in Glasgow but would spend my weekends going hiking and practising my survival skills.
“I would light fires by rubbing sticks together, build shelters and sleep outside as well as track animals.”
When The Sunday Post spoke to Angus, he was building a log cabin deep in the forest for his Scout group to use.
And it isn’t the only rustic shelter
Building canoes is a labour of love for Scottish engineer Angus Simpson. he’s stayed in. He has also slept out in the wilderness in a teepee.
For Angus, nothing tops going off the beaten track.
He said: “I’ve gone trekking in the snow wearing snow shoes and fished through a hole in a frozen lake.
“In the summer I went on a two-week trip on a birch bark canoe through various lakes and valleys. “I’ve seen wolves and lynx and coyotes. “A big black bear got into my canvas food bag once.
“I got back to camp and found it had eaten everything.”
However , despite his vast knowledge, Angus almost got lost in the middle of nowhere once.
He said: “I couldn’t find the trail I was trying to follow. I went off into the bush to find it and realised I had got lost. Thankfully I used my map skills and compass to find my way back.
“If I got my compass bearing wrong I would have been really lost. At that point the nearest road was probably a two- day paddle away.”
When his mum, Sheila, and dad, Howard, came to visit him, he took them exploring. However, they weren’t keen to draw on his bush skills.
“My parents aren’t into sleeping wild so we hired an RV,” said Angus.