Canoe the Scottish Highlands 2024
Canoe on silver lochs and flowing rivers, relax at charming Highland accommodation and learn new canoe skills in the company of an expert wilderness guide on this fantastic Scottish canoe adventure.
During the first half of the trip, we will be based in the Cairngorms National Park; we then transfer south and spend the second half in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park.
Suitable for both beginners and intermediate canoeists, you will learn new skills and develop good technique while enjoying classic day trips on Scottish rivers and lochs. Whether it is your first time in a boat or you already know your J- stroke from your Pry, your guides will equip you with all you need to explore some of Scotland’s most beautiful paddling locations. This is a superb way to experience the landscape.
Your Equal Adventure Mentor will guide and coach you through your journey to help you develop your independence and safe efficient performance. If during the journey your capacity for challenge or adventure changes your mentor will work with you to help you find an alternative activity. As with all great adventure plans thinking ahead helps, so we would ask you to help us understand your needs prior to the journey so that you can make the most of your time in the wilderness.
Your journey is based around two luxurious Lodges that we will use as a base to journey from daily.
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- Accommodation Type – Comfortable Catering Journey Base Lodge
- Geographical Area – Scottish Highlands and Central Highlands, Cairngorm National Park / Rannoch & Tay Valley / Trossachs
- Nights Accommodation – 6
- Days Activity: 7
- Price From (£) 1750.00
- Deposit (£) 450.00
- Min Group Size: 6
- Max Group Size: 8
- Guiding Ratio 1:4
Equal Adventure Charity has inclusion and sustainability at the heart of its values, mission and practice. Our team will work hard behind the scenes to help ensure that your venture with Equal Adventure is minimized in terms of its Carbon Footprint and is as low impact as possible. This includes being culturally and environmentally aware and practice in our leave no trace and positive relationships with both the environment and communities you will travel through with us.
Day by Day Itinerary (dependent on weather and water levels).
Day 1 – Meet and Greet and Loch Morlich
On our first day we meet at the train station in Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. Your guide will give everyone a welcome brief over a coffee before you transfer a short distance to the stunning Loch Morlich, overlooked by the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains. This is the perfect place for an introductory warm up paddle. Afterwards, transfer back to Aviemore and settle in at your accommodation for the next few nights.
Day 2 – The River Spey
Today we will enjoy a journey on an easy section of the River Spey. Starting from Boat of Garten we take to the river as it meanders gently through the woods and fields of the national park – a relaxing paddle during which we can continue to work on our skills. We will journey as far as the town of Grantown on Spey where we’ll then have the option of doing some coaching on a slightly faster easy rapid to learn the skills to master these enjoyable sections of water.
Day 3 – Loch Insh to Aviemore
This morning a short drive takes us to beautiful Loch Insh. Here we launch onto a woody section of flat river overlooked by an impressive Osprey nest – keep your eyes peeled for the birds! We’ll first make a circuit of Loch Insh, looking out for some of the many rare bird species that live here such as goldeneye ducks. Then we return to our launch point and continue down the river, paddling all the way back to Aviemore. The river is an easy paddle but there are a couple of very small rapids that will put our steering skills to the test! We arrive back at Aviemore conveniently outside one of the best pubs in the Highlands.
Day 4 – Loch Rannoch
This morning we depart the Cairngorms and transfer south for the second half of our trip. We’ll break up the journey with a paddle on Loch Rannoch – a quiet loch in the heart of the Highlands surrounded by hills and woods. Afterwards we continue south enjoying the great views of lochs and mountains before arriving at our accommodation in the valley of Stathyre.
Day 5 – Loch Tay to Aberfeldy
A true classic river journey for today’s outing. Starting in the stunning bay of Kenmore with views of Ben Lawers we paddle into the entrance of the River Tay and head downstream. There are several bouncy fun and bouncy rapids between here and our destination for the day – the village of Aberfeldy. On arrival, we can look forward to tucking into some great cake in one of central Scotland’s best cafes before heading back to Strathyre. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – The River Teith
Today a short transfer takes us to the town of Callander, and along the way we’ll maybe stop to have a look at the impressive Falls of Leny – but we won’t be paddling it! In Callander we set out on the River Teith and paddle to the village of Doune, where we will have a late lunch and then spend the afternoon exploring Doune Castle. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Loch Voil and Depart
On our last morning we will enjoy a last paddle together with an easy journey on Loch Voil, surrounded by hills and finishing in the village of Balquhidder. Here we also find the grave of the famous Rob Roy MacGregor which we’ll visit before finishing the trip. After loading the boats one last time we transfer to the town of Stirling where the trip will finish at the train station.
Notes –
The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of your guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.
- 6 nights accommodation
- All meals, from lunch on day of arrival through to breakfast on day of departure. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transport throughout the trip, starting at Aviemore and finishing at Stirling Railway Stations.
- The services of experienced and knowledgeable canoe guides / driver throughout your trip.
- All specialist open canoe equipment, including canoes and buoyancy aids.
Please note that sleeping bags are not included but are available for hire.
Great food is essential to all our trips. All meals from Lunch on day one to Lunch on the last day will be provided by our resident chef.
A full equipment list will be sent to you as part of your booking.
Arrival and Departure Information
You will be met by your Equal Adventure Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 11am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Stirling Railway Station for 1.00pm on the final day of the trip.
Places to stay and see before and after your expedition with Equal Adventure.
Prior to your journey the EA team will work with you to ensure that you are reasonably prepared for your venture. This will will include advice on pre and post journey booking and travel.
We guarantee that this journey will run as long as six people are booked. There are a maximim of eight places on this journey.
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- We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 6 people have booked
- Maximum of 8 places available per departure.
Please note: The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Equal Adventure Mentor with regard to weather conditions and other factors
