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Trip created by Stevie Christie
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Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
Trip Type: Canoeing
Comfort: Wilderness Camping
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 2 Traveller(s) Book
Deposit From N/A
£146.25
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryJoin us for an open canoeing expedition as we paddle through Speyside in the scenic North East Highlands.
This classic Scottish river trip descends the famous River Spey passing by pine forests, heather-covered hills and Scotland’s most celebrated whisky region.
Starting our journey on a gentle section of the river we’ll practice different strokes and techniques as we go. The canoeing becomes more challenging as we travel downstream through several fun and exciting rapids. It is not just the character of the river which changes – the pine forests on the riverbanks take on a new character with each season.
These forests are home to a diverse range of wildlife including red deer and capercaillie, and there’s always the chance of spotting golden eagles and other large birds of prey overhead. Adventurous days on the river will be balanced by tranquil nights in the campsites where we prepare tasty meals each evening leaving you ready for the challenges of the next day.
This trip is suitable for people with at least 2 days of previous canoeing experience since you will be required to steer on the river right from the start.
Our guide meets you at the railway station in Aviemore and we transfer to our put-in point a short distance away. We will spend some time familiarising ourselves with the moving water environment before setting off on our journey. We move north-east, passing the village of Boat of Garten and the Abernethy Forest. Looking back, there are superb views of the Cairngorms Plateau. We camp on the edge of the forest and if we are lucky we might spy some red squirrels in the trees. (L, D)
Following breakfast, we’ll paddle into the heart of malt whisky country. As we reach the edge of Grantown-on-Spey we’ll pass under a couple of road bridges. There is time to work on the skills that will be essential when negotiating the rapids that lie ahead in the second half of the journey. We’ll put these skills to use at the end of the day with a trip through the short but exciting rapid known as the ‘Washing Machine’ before we reach our next camp. (B, L, D)
Our moving water skills are tested today as we meet unforgettable rapids such as the Station Pool of Knockando, and numerous shorter rapids. We’ll also pass by a few small villages (most of which have a whisky distillery!) before finishing close to the village of Craigellachie near the mouth of the River Fiddich. (B, L, D)
We canoe along the final stretch of the Spey, where the valley widens as we approach the sea. We will put our new skills to good use on this stretch where the Spey twists its way through rolling rural farmland. We pass many beautiful pools and small islands before passing under a road bridge at Fochabers, where the coastal plain emerges and we travel alongside gravel banks before reaching our journey’s end at Spey Bay. We transfer back to Aviemore, through the Spey Valley, for the end of the trip. (B, L)
To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:
On this trip, we wild camp beside the river each night. We provide tents and also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. If you require a single tent we are happy to provide this, but otherwise, we do ask that those who are happy to share a tent with other travellers do so. This helps to keep our camp size small, giving us more options of where to pitch and reducing our environmental impact on these precious places.
Great food is essential to all our trips and expeditions are no different. While the guide will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after what are often long days. We will carry plenty of food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip, and some of these may even be prepared on an open fire. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 10:00am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Aviemore station for 4:00pm on the final day of the trip.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland/
23 People viewed this trip in the last week
| Trip Dates for 2021 | Availability | Status | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st May - 4th May 2021 | 5 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £585 | Book Now |
| 3rd Jul - 6th Jul 2021 | 8 place(s) left | UNCONFIRMED | £585 | Book Now |
| 11th Sep - 14th Sep 2021 | 8 place(s) left | UNCONFIRMED | £585 | Book Now |
Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.
As an avid adventurer, Stevie has life-long experience in Scotland’s outdoors. He’s Co-Owner and Head of Adventure with Wilderness and been with us for over 15 years in a variety of roles, with innovative trip design being both a passion and a speciality. In his spare time, Stevie runs the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, bringing the world’s most inspiring adventure filmmakers and athletes to an audience of over 1,500 each year. His love for adventure and knowledge of Scotland inspired him to design this exciting canoe trip.
Ask Stevie a QuestionBlue Graded Open Canoeing Holidays 4-6
Great Glen
This Blue graded canoeing trip is suitable for people with no previous canoeing experience, but a good level of fitness is required. We will be paddling for up to 7 hours each day on flat water lochs and canals, however in windy conditions it will be challenging and we will encounter small waves on the larger lochs.
River Spey Descent
This Blue graded canoeing trip is only suitable for people with some previous canoeing experience and a good level of fitness. 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. You can expect up to 7 hours of paddling a day plus breaks.
Rated 4.93 out of 5 based on 57 review(s) of Open Canoeing – River Spey Descent
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
Helen Littlejohn
Reviewed on 08/09/2020
Age: 50 - 60
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 31/08/2020
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
If you want to canoe the Spey, then Wilderness Scotland is the company to go with. Well planned itinerary, excellent kit, superb food and professional guides and organised back office staff. Thanks for a great week!
David Anderson
Reviewed on 14/05/2019
Age: 60 - 70
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 03/05/2019
Trips Taken: 5
The Bottom Line
A safe but exhilarating journey, skilfully guided, down a unique and extremely beautiful river.
Amy Thomson
Reviewed on 26/09/2018
Age: 40 - 50
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 14/09/2018
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
Awesome! I'm already planning next year's holiday!
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