River spey descent this blue graded canoeing trip is only suitable for people with some previous canoeing experience and a good level of fitness. A major hazard occurring just above laggan bridge is the spey dam, which like the roy steals the speys waters and takes them westward this time to help power an aluminium smelter. This, in addition to some significant tributaries adding further volume to the river, means there are some rapids that must be treated with respect. Loch insh flows into the spey all the way to the sea. The spey does not meander, although it rapidly moves its banks. Eden outdoor adventures river spey canoe descent, guided. Where is it speyside, ne scotland, flowing out of the cairngorms. Confirmed by the land reform scotland act 2003, on scottish rivers there is a statutory right of nonmotorised navigation and a. The river spey canoe guide, written by nancy chambers. Award yourself the pleasure of being steeped in nature and history, whilst guiding your canoe through some of scotlands most beautiful countryside. Open canoeing river spey descent view trip dates book now.
Accommodation and dining for at one with nature spey descent. There is a fantastic guide book produced by the team at pesda press, this one imaginatively entitled the river spey canoe guide by nancy chambers and is essential reading not only to planning your trip but also to escape to a life less ordinary. One such film is spey in a day, in which english duo james reilly and ted simpson attempt to set a new record for the fastest canoe descent of scotlands fastest river, starting at kingussie and. Guided canoe descent of the river spey aviemore to spey. Paddle from cairngorms to coast on a classic british river trip.
The mean flow is around 16 metres per second 36 mph making it the fastest flowing river in scotland, and possibly the uk depending on what constitutes a river. Eden outdoor adventures river spey canoe descent, guided by. At one with nature spey descent paddling on the river. This is a real canoe adventure with amazing paddling through the heart of scotland. Took us about 9 hours of canoeing over two nights as the speed of the river was phenomenal. The river spey descends almost 380 metres over its length, making it popular for canoeing. River spey ballindalloch to tandhu distillery north. Non paddlers can walk the speyside way, which follows the river rh bank. Starting off in the cairngorms national park we start the classic canoe descent of the river spey, paddling all the way to the north sea. The river may be navigated from loch spey to spey bay, and here this is divided into seven sections. The river spey in northeast scotland is a fantastic touring river. River spey descent canoeing journey in scotland on vimeo.
River spey descent highlights paddle one of scotlands most famous rivers, from the cairngorms to the sea enjoy the challenge of grade 2 rapids. Ardenbeg bunkhouse, grant road, grantown on spey 01479 872824. River spey canoe expedition guided adventures river spey. The gentle river trip is suitable for beginners, individuals, families 10yrs and up and groups of friends. One of the big 4 rivers that is a must for the touring canoeist in scotland, and which normally provides a fast current, great scenery and some interesting rapids. Film shows canoe duo setting new record for descent of river. The section described below runs from ballindalloch down to the tandhu distillery, os sheet 27 1. We started at grantown on spey and finished at spey bay on the moray firth. Our trip starts at loch insh where we spend a little time going over your skills before heading down the river.
Today will largely consist of familiarising yourselves with the canoe and your paddling partner, with some coaching throughout the day. The river spey canoe expedition is one of the uks classic canoe descents that all canoeists have on their mustdo list. Active outdoor pursuits canoe and kayak shuttle service is available throughout the scottish highlands and is particularly popular on the spey descent trips. The river spey has may different sections so you can have this as a gentle trip or a white water trip. To paddle from newtonmore to spey bay can take up to 5 days depending on the fitness, age, size of the group, weather and the water levels. Starting at loch insh, in the shadow of the cairngorm mountains, your descent of. River spey ballindalloch to tandhu distillery north east. Guided canoe descent of the river spey aviemore to spey bay. Well organised, great guides on the river, excellent equipment and food. Since we are paddling on moving river waters, including several more exciting rapids up to grade 2 competence steering the canoe is an essential skill from the beginning.
The service is designed to save time with transport and equipment logistics and increase your time on the water. The journey down the river spey from lochain uvie to spey bay is 5 kilometers and passes over three os 1. This canoe expedition is a true source to sea journey if you choose to launch high up in the cairngorm mountains by. For a classic british paddling experience, a descent of the spey is an absolute must. Jul 03, 2014 this paddling adventure runs the length of the iconic river spey right to the sea but not before winding your way through the heart of scotlands malt whisky country. Part of it is a protected wildlife area, and it is one of the best places in the uk to see whales and dolphins.
A must for all those who have mastered the basic skills of canoeing on rivers and want to use them to go on a journey. One of the big 4 rivers that are a must for the touring canoeist in scotland, and which normally provides a fast current, great scenery and some interesting rapids. Instructors take you from novice to competent paddler over the course of 5 days make lasting friendships along the way. The river spey is a beautiful river in the northeast of scotland, famous for its salmon fishing and whisky production. The spey is an excellent river for all standards of open canoeing providing an ideal 3 to 5 day expedition camp sites are few and far between and canoeists need to be very aware of the very large number of anglers, mostly friendly, who use the river. Paddling the spey river welcome to the paddler ezine. Introductoryimprover open canoe day open pdf info venue river spey most likely kincraig to aviemore for anyone interested in learning more about handling these versatile craft maybe even confirm your thoughts about completing a full spey descent.
After meeting for breakfast in aviemore we start our descent of the river spey. A canoeist and kayakers guide to scotlands premier touring river at. Only minutes from our aviemore changing room to the put in. Starting near killin at the west side of loch tay we take in the views of the lawler mountain range to the north before we head on to the river where we navigate our way down through some white water all the way to the picturesque town of perth. Paddling from loch insch all the way down to spey bay and wild camping along the trail. Scotlands finest canoeing river tour river spey descent starts in the cairngorms national park. River spey canoe expedition 3 days in your element. The river spey descent a classic canoe journey, with bushcraft skills the river spey is a fantastic touring river and the fastest flowing in scotland. This adventure involves camping each night by the riverside as river spey descent canoeing journey in scotland on vimeo.
Along the way we develop your paddling skills and knowledge to maximise your enjoyment on this wonderful classic canoe journey. Spey descent david craig, river spey guide, coaching. The river is navigable for most of its length almost from the source at loch spey where the spey shares a water shed with the turbulent river roy. One of the big 4 rivers that is a must for the touring canoeist in scotland, and which normally provides a fast current and some great scenery. It is the fastest flowing river in scotland, and the 9th longest in the uk. In case you dont know, each year we offer a guided canoe and bushcraft expedition along the beautiful river spey. It is enjoyable, yet not too daunting for the novice canoeist.
The moray firth is the largest in scotland, with 800 km of coastline. Starting at loch insh, in the shadow of the cairngorm mountains, your descent of the river spey will lead you to the sea at spey bay. Craggan outdoors, activity centre near aviemore, scotland offer river canoe trips for groups beginner, novice or occasional paddler guided by our experienced instructors from our own exclusive putin point on the spey. Ray guided us down the river with the consummate skill and judgement. These can be paddled as single day trips or combined into multiday adventures. For the river spey descent and the whisky trail previous canoeing experience is required as we will experience some sections of more challenging rapids, a good level of general fitness is also required for these trips. If you want to graduate to wilderness canoe touring there is no better way in britain than this classic scottish river journey.
Spey descent scotland reports the uk rivers guidebook. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A major hazard occurring above laggan bridge is the spey dam, which like the river roy steals the speys waters and takes them westward to help power an aluminium smelter. The river spey descent a classic canoe journey, with bushcraft skills. Guide to the river spey ballindalloch to tandhu distillery name of river. Truly a waterpath, this river is navigable for most of its length from source at loch spey where the spey shares its water shed with the turbulent river roy.
This adventure involves camping each night by the riverside as you make your way through the heart of one of scotlands most famous whiskymaking areas. Film shows canoe duo setting new record for descent of. Open canoeing river spey descent includes accommodation as. Paddling the river spey is top of many canoeists bucket list with formal campsites, wild camping on river islands and a host of distillery towns along the route. This paddling adventure runs the length of the iconic river spey right to the sea but not before winding your way through the heart of scotlands malt whisky country. Open canoeing river spey descent by wilderness scotland. Provided all required canoe equipment canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids, etc. Guided canoe descent of the river tay killin to perth. The river spey canoe expedition is a 5day journey down the majestic river spey from aviemore to the sea at spey bay. After grantownonspey the river starts its final descent to the sea and begins to flow with real purpose. The journey starts with gentle meanders and small rapids.
David craig is an authority on and has great passion for the river spey, with 44 years experience of paddling on and caring for this wonderful river. River spey descent canoeing journey in scotland youtube. Weve just got back from another fantastic canoeing expedition along the river spey in scotland. A fantastic 3day canoe journey on the majestic river spey. The river spey is one of scotlands greatest rivers and our 5day spey descent is the ultimate scottish canoeing experience. From the put in the river strolls down at a leisurely pace to the old railway bridge shortly after this the river bends left and the river avon pronounced arn joins from the left. This illustrated guide will help you plan your journey along the river spey, one of the uk s classic canoe and kayak touring rivers. Breakfasts, varied lunches and all in camp drinks are provided for you during the days as you journey along the river. A 3day version of our longer 5day trip, journeying down the majestic river spey by canoe to the sea at spey bay.
A paddle journey through pristine forests on one of scotlands most iconic rivers, the spey. Spey river descent achieved posted on september, 2012 by torridon munro guides and gairloch kayak and canoe centre amazing, beautiful, fun, invigorating were all used after the expedition down the river spey organised by walking and wildlife adventures. After grantownon spey the river starts its final descent to the sea and begins to flow with real purpose. For all blue graded canoe trips you can expect up to. Youll get your first taste of some small rapids during the day, setting you up for a much more adventurous second day. Dec 30, 2014 we started at grantown on spey and finished at spey bay on the moray firth. River spey service explore highland offers planned, bespoke and an emergency river spey canoe shuttle services for those taking on one of the uks best canoe trips.
Based out of inverness we offer a cost effective shuttle services for canoe and kayak groups of any size. The river spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it flows closer to the sea, due to a broadly convex longprofile. Canoeing and camping in scotland on the river spey. High water river spey canoe expedition with the staffies. Canoeing river spey descent by tom london, 15 aug 2014. A whisky tasting experience is included in your journey. Paul and ben join ray goodwin to canoe the river spey. A major hazard occurring just above laggan bridge is the spey dam, which like the roy steals the spey s waters and takes them westward this time to help power an aluminium smelter. With its scenic, wooded shores and white water it is a journey to remember. In 2000 formed facilitating magical opencanoe journeys on the spey. River spey kayak touring trips are fun filled and all lead by expert guides. Over the 5 days, we will canoe the 70 miles from kincraig in the scottish highlands to spey bay on the moray firth. Canoeing the river spey in 2018 dorset bushcraft courses.
Afterwards during summer you can always visit the distilery for a wee dram. Includes a description of the route from source to sea as well as practical information required. River spey descent 4 days one of the classic canoe journeys of the uk. This is a real canoe adventure with amazing paddling through the. Includes a description of the route from source to sea as well. The longest river in the uk which has the biggest volume of water passing through annually makes for an exciting canoe trip on the river tay. For all blue graded canoe trips you can expect up to 7 hours of paddling each day with plenty of breaks. Open canoeing river spey descent includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. A canoeist and kayakers guide to scotlands premier touring river 1st, august 2014 by nancy chambers isbn. River spey canoe expedition guided adventures river spey the river spey canoe expedition is one of the uks classic canoe descents that all canoeists have on their mustdo list. River spey canoe trail one of the big 4 rivers that is a must for the touring canoeist in scotland, and which normally provides a fast current, great scenery and some interesting rapids.
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