The River Spey

Where Do We Meet?

Depending on the bespoke logistics for your trip we'll either meet near Aviemore or Spey Bay.

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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.

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What Do You Provide?

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.

 

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.

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​How Much Experience Do I Need / Is This Suitable For Me?

The rapids are a maximum of grade 2 so although some canoeing experience is desirable with the right attitude this can be done by people with no prior canoeing or camping experience. There is a degree of physicality required. Kayakers should have some prior experience of grade two.​

 

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.

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What Sort of Facilities Are There?

Some of the campsites have toilets but the majority are wild, we'll need to be prepared for wild toiletting and either carry or be prepared to filter water.

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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.

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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.

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What Equipment Will I Need?

• Your chosen craft with buoyancy fitted. This can be an open canoe or touring style kayak, it needs to be capable of carrying everything listed below.

• Paddle 

• Suitable warm and waterproof clothing for on the water

• Buoyancy Aid

• Helmet

• Drybags or Barrels to keep everything in (remember we'll be carrying everthing on the portages)

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In Camp

• Sleeping System (Tent, Hammock, Tarp or Bivvy Bag)

• Sleeping Mat

• Sleeping Bag

• Travel Pillow

• Complete change of clothes including shoes and waterproofs

• Warm Hat & Gloves

• Clothes to Sleep in

• Battery Pack

• Headtorch

• Book or Cards

  

Cooking

• Stove

• Fuel (gas is probably the most common)

• Something to light it with

• Pots and pans suitable for the meals you intend to cook

• Cutlery (a Spork will do pretty much everything)

• Something to eat out of (This can be your pan if you want to save space)

• Mug for hot drinks (a sealable thermal flask is great here)

• Small sponge/scourer

• Eco-friendly washing up liquid (decant this into a small travel bottle)

A few Zip-lock bags are invaluable for keeping things separate and for storing rubbish

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​What Food Will We Eat?

• Breakfasts - the most important meal of the day. Plenty of carbs and sugar!

• Lunches  (these should require minimum preparation and be ready to eat, it may not be practical to stop and cook)

• Teabags/Coffee/Hot Chocolate – your choice. If you take milk, think about having small individual sachets.

• Dinners – the main event. This is up to you but I’ve got some pointers to help make things easier:

  • Avoid raw chicken & pork. Vacuum packed red meat or pre-cooked chicken breast works really well especially if its frozen.

  • Veg generally doesn’t need to be refrigerated and keeps quite well.

  • Weigh out ingredients and bring just what you need in Ziplock bags.

  • The longer it takes to cook, the longer it will be until you eat. Keep it simple

  • Don’t forget the extras that make things easier and tastier; oil, salt & pepper, herbs, spices, stock etc.

• Enough water for drinking and cooking (5l per person per day is normally enough)​