The River Spey for Kayakers
Paddle this classic Scottish River and have all of your equipment transported by open canoe
Experience the raw beauty of Scotland on a 4-day kayak expedition down the River Spey. From the shadows of the Cairngorms to the dramatic Moray Firth coast, this journey combines thrilling whitewater, ancient pine forests, and world-class whisky distilleries.
You paddle your own whitewater kayak (or hire one of ours) and all of the food and equipment is transported in our support canoe, leaving you free and unemcumbered to enjoy the river.
Expedition Overview
The River Spey is Scotland's premier touring river. Fast-flowing but highly accessible, it offers the perfect mix of peaceful touring sections and exhilarating rapids, making it the definitive Scottish multi day river trip.
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Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
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Difficulty: Suitable for paddlers with basic moving water experience
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Accommodation: Wilderness riverbank camping
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Fully Catered with Freshly Cooked Meals
Day One:
Broomhill Bridge to Cromdale. approx 10km
We'll meet in the morning to pack our kit and run the shuttle. With the Cairngorm plateau featuring prominently on the horizon we'll start on the river after lunch we'll paddle a short distance, warming up and taking the opportunity to play on the easy rapids around Grantown. We'll take our time and enjoy ourselves before finding a riverside wild campsite, settling in with a brew before a freshly cooked meal and a night under the starts.
Day Two:
Cromdale to Craigroy Island. Approx 20km
Our first full day starts with a hearty breakfast. After striking camp we'll get on the water and head downstream. lots of easy rapids follow with plenty of opportunity for practice, play and challenges. There will be a mid-morning brew and snack stop to allow us a leg stretch. As we gradually leave the Cairngorms behind we descend into the beautful pine forested Strathspey. The rapids continue after lunch under expert guidance, a brief stop for a flushing toilet and water fill in Cragganmore we enter the classic whitewater section. The day finishes with the exciting 'Washing Machine' rapid, we'll make camp on an island in the middle of the river and tell tales of the day around a campfire with another freshly cooked meal.
Day Three
Craigroy Island to Rothes Island. Approx 20km
This day is full of exciting rapids including the beautiful Knockando section. Every turn brings another rapid interspersed with a flat section, we'll take them one at a time playing our way down, challenging ourselves, improving our technique and understanding of river reading and line choice. This contiunes all the way down to lunch in the small town of Aberlour, here we can use toilets, fill water and visit the shops and a cafe. After lunchthe river chills out and gentle flows take us down to our final night on Rothes Island.
Day Four
Rothes Island to Spey Bay. Approx 22km
The final section of the Spey is the fastest as it accelerates towards the Moray Firth. The river twists and turns and every bend brings a new view and fascinating landscape; red sandstone cliffs, massive shingle banks with ever changing channels with the last rapid a mere 100m from the sea. We'll finish triumphantly and load up heading back to the start point and then on to Aviemore for a well earned rest before the next adventure.
£599 per person
Scroll down for more info below in the FAQs
FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Depending on the bespoke logistics for your trip we'll either meet near Aviemore or Spey Bay.
How long are the days?
That all depends on the conditions and how much progress we make as a group but we can expect to be journeying for around 6-8 hours per day. with regular stops for drinks, snacks and to stetch our legs. Longer days may be requie if conditions are not favourable but will always be by mutal agreement. It's a challenge yes but it should still be enjoyable.
What Do You Provide?
- 60l drybag for all of your equipment (transported in the support canoe)
- All food/drink and associated equipment
A comprehensive information pack to help you prepare for the expedition will be sent to you upon booking. On the trip you'll get expert guiding tailored to the group and with emphasis on fun!. Along the way you'll get coaching tips designed to boost both your skills, confidence and enjoyment. We'll provide a 60l
I Don't Have All Of My Own Equipment...
Dependent on your requirements you can rent some or all of the required equipment or you can bring your own and just take advantage of our expert knowledge and guidance. Hopefully this allows you complete flexibility with regard to cost.
How Much Experience Do I Need / Is This Suitable For Me?
The rapids are a maximum of grade 2 so some moving water experience is desirable. With the right attitude this can be done by people with no prior camping experience. There is a degree of endurance and physicality required.
Where Will We Stay?
This trip has a mixture of wild camping by the side of the water and trailblazer sites which have rudimentary facilities.
What Sort of Facilities Are There?
There is access to fresh water and a flushing toilet everyday but the campsites are wild and we'll need to be prepared for wild toiletting. We'll carry drinking water and filter river water if needed.
What if the Weather is Bad?
The river is generally pretty sheltered from the wind and rain is a definite possibility. If we have any concerns about rising river levels we do have options to change location. A large group shelter will be provided for camp to keep everyone out of the worst of the weather.
What About Getting Back To The Start Point?
We'll work together to make sure we have vehicles at both ends of the trip so everyone can get a lift back. This will be done in the morning of the first day or potentially the evening before.
What Equipment Will I Need?
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Your chosen Kayak with airbags fitted.
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Paddle
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Suitable warm and waterproof clothing for on the water
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Buoyancy Aid
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Helmet
In Camp
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Sleeping System (Tent, Hammock, Tarp or Bivvy Bag)
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Sleeping Mat
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Sleeping Bag
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Travel Pillow
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Complete change of clothes including shoes and waterproofs
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Warm Hat & Gloves
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Clothes to Sleep in
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Battery Pack
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Headtorch
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Book or Cards