Our open canoeing holidays are a superb way to discover and explore the wilderness regions of Scotland.
Gliding down a meandering river or across a glass-calm loch, admiring mountain views all around are some of the joys of canoeing in Scotland.
Our tours give you the chance to do just that, either staying in hotels (look for the 'classic' comfort grade) or wilderness camping on the water's edge. Two-person canoes are easy to handle, so you can easily learn the key skills from our expert guides during a multi day canoe trip.
Our open canoeing holidays are a superb way to discover and explore the wilderness regions of Scotland.
Gliding down a meandering river or across a glass-calm loch, admiring mountain views all around are some of the joys of canoeing in Scotland.
Our tours give you the chance to do just that, either staying in hotels (look for the 'classic' comfort grade) or wilderness camping on the water's edge. Two-person canoes are easy to handle, so you can easily learn the key skills from our expert guides during a multi day canoe trip.
Book your canoeing holiday with Europe's No.1 Adventure Travel Company - Wilderness Scotland
If you fancy canoeing in Scotland, it’s a truly magical way of exploring Scotland’s lochs and rivers. The canoes help us access some very remote areas of stunning wilderness.
Our hotel based trips are the perfect way to try canoeing in comfort. If you choose a camping trip, like the Great Glen Canoe Trail, you will love loading up the canoe and pushing off into the wild, without the weight on your back!
Our reviews prove testament that these are some of the best canoe camping trips in the UK. Canoeing on the River Spey is so good that we offer two trips – one with camping and the other staying in hotels!
Canoeing is a wonderfully relaxing past-time, and our range of trips offer something for every taste and ability.
Canoeing tours are available in the following locations:
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.
Our guide was so amiable and competent that it made our river Spey canoe trip just a breeze. We were so well looked after that we were completely free to enjoy our trip, the scenery and the amazing experience of seeing Scotland by canoe!
Wilderness Sotland is second to none! You even sent photos of our trip within a day! So lovely that you took the trouble to take our photo's in the first place as it was tricky at times to take our own - we were concentrating so hard on not capsizing!
TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE:
Wow its sound like you had an awesome time, we will pass on your feedback to our guides. Thank you for joining our Scottish Classics adventure and hope we get the opportunity to welcome you back to the Highlands soon.
Liz Cross 13/09/2015
5
Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 190 reviews of Canoeing
Wild Camping - Camping under the stars in spectacular locations near the waterway/shore. Some camps are wild with no facilities while some have very basic facilities such as a toilet and cold running water.
Basic - These simple rustic accommodations in breath-taking locations have a warm and cosy feel with shared bathroom facilities, warm showers and comfortable beds.
Classic - Staying in 3 or 4 star hotels, guesthouses and Highland inns, you can enjoy warm hospitality along with a hot shower, great food and a comfortable bed at the end of a day.
Deluxe - Staying in 4 or 5 star hotels you can enjoy superior comfort and the finest service.
Luxury - Selected castles in locations across Scotland, each have their own character and you will be exceptionally well looked after in each of them.
Status
Provisional - These trips are available to book but the dates may be subject to change.
Unconfirmed - These trip dates are fixed but not yet confirmed to run, if two people book this trip it will become confirmed.
Confirmed - This trip is confirmed to run so you can arrange travel plans.
Fully Booked - Sorry this trip is fully booked please try another date.
Accommodation is usually in twin (2 single beds) or double (1 shared bed) rooms unless stated otherwise and we request that clients who book individually share a twin room.
If however, you would like a single room this may be possible subject to availability and payment of a supplement (see Trip Dossier for details). If you select single, we will determine availability and advise you shortly after you have made booking.
Please provide some information on your relevant experience/fitness for this trip
Please provide any dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, no dairy
Please provide contact details for who we should call in the case of an emergency
Please provide a contact mobile number that will enable us to contact you should you not arrive at the start point on time
Your conservation contribution will go towards supporting the vital environmental protection and conservation of wild land undertaken by our nominated charity the John Muir Trust. Should you prefer not to pay this contribution, simply un-tick the box and the amount will be deducted from your payment. Full details of our conservation contribution scheme and the organisations we support can be found on our sustainable tourism pages.
Please advise us of any medical conditions relevant to a trip of this type eg. Asthma, autism, aspergers, bad knees, replacement hips, etc. All information will be kept in the strictest of confidence
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.
Outstanding Customer Service
Open Canoeing Holidays
As a 5 Star tour operator this is how we see customer service.
For example, we can’t say we will get back to you within 3 hours because sometimes we won’t and we can’t say we endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible, because that’s just wishy washy and everyone says that.
Great customer service isn’t tangible.
It’s tone of voice, and relationship building.
And going that wee bit further to make someone’s day and it can’t be quantified.
It’s how we make you feel…
and we feel that it’s the following things that go towards making the difference between a holiday, and an amazing, memorable experience.
Our Network
We have fantastic relationships and in many cases personal friendships with our trusted team of suppliers.
A Growing Team
Our team of 35 travel professionals in the office and over 60+ expert guides mean we're small enough to care about every detail but big enough to deal with any curveballs, meaning your holiday experience will be seamless.
We Know Scotland
Being outdoors people, we have an unrivalled depth and breadth of knowledge when it comes to Scotland's wild places. We've been there and can recommend locations and activities from our own experience.
Our holidays reviewed in your words
Kathy and I agreed that your guides were the best we’ve ever had, and we have been on many trips with other companies. Your office staff and company far exceeds all the others in the business
I loved the trip. Everything was arranged and all equipment provided. Made it so easy for me as I usually have to do all the work myself. A lovely change to not have tents and gear all over my house after a caneoe trip
Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 190 reviews of Canoeing
by Isabella Pereira 13/05/2018
5Pre-Trip Service
5Trip Comments
5Accommodation and Food
5Your Guide
5The Bottom Line
Pre-Trip Service
helpful telephone staff
Your Guide
Mark and Grant were really patient, encouraging and gave great instruction.
The Bottom Line
Accessible wild adventures in outstanding landscapes that challenge your skills and fitness enough to give you a sense of achievement - but not so much that it's in any way a slog.
Trip Comments
We really enjoyed our fantastic adventure from start to finish, we learned so much and it was a pleasure to so in beautiful surroundings with great company.
Accommodation and Food
The camping equipment provided was all excellent and we loved wild camping by the river, one night was even spent in earshot of our greatest challenge 'The Washing Machine' Thankfully after we had all made it through without capsizing!
Your Guide
Our guides, Mark and Grant, were excellent. Great instruction especially when needed. Building our skills and confidence for each new challenge throughout the 4 days. Friendly, well organised and really lovely people to lead us on our adventure.
The Bottom Line
Brilliant, fantastic, would love to do it again! Perfect trip with a great group of people, so well organised, even had plentiful sunshine and Ospreys in Spey Bay!
Pre-Trip Service
Very responsive and helpful team who coped well with me cancelling due to injury and then rebooking.
Trip Comments
Rarely has so much experience been had in so little time. I am usually a hotel + activity user so 'wild camping' plus rapids was a paddle into the unknown even given my undertaking of the beginners activity in the Autumn. A lovely group of tolerant, easy going people much helped by superb leadership from two guides . The guides allowed us to safely navigate waters that would be far beyond my skill set (although I was much supported by being paired with a more experienced paddler) The tent I was given was easy to put up single handed. The guides have clearly thought through the difficulties of providing varied food with limited cooking equipment. Lots of exercise and fresh air and I would certainly be interested in similar activities , this long weekend trip was the perfect length .
Accommodation and Food
I have camped before so was pleased with the tent given to me.The shared group tent provided a place to warm up.
Your Guide
I have an educational background and as said before thought their teaching style was spot on. Always positive and firm enough to protect us.
The Bottom Line
Thank you so much, really feel I had a complete break from my normal life after only three nights.
Pre-Trip Service
The guides adjusted the itinerary based on the weather forecast and this turned out to be a good decision.
Trip Comments
It would have been easier to carry equipment if it had all been packed with backpack straps. Things like coolers turned out to be impractical.
Accommodation and Food
Camping out is what it is.
Your Guide
The guides were excellent and very competent. However, an adjustment in the itinerary based on the weather changed the itinerary and they guides chose a more difficult path than was necessary.
The Bottom Line
I enjoyed the trip very much. However, portaging the canoes and all the gear over rough and muddy terrain and aside waterfalls proved unnecessarily challenging as we could have put in at a different spot to avoid all of these obstacles. Hiking to/from the base of the peak (10 km RT) we wanted to climb also prevented us from actually reaching the summit. Perhaps another, shorter way up would have allowed us to reach the peak.
TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONCE:
Thanks for your feedback. The itinerary on this trip did have to be adjusted based on the weather. The put in places were chosen to give the best options for paddling and hiking but it sounds like the explanation for this could have been clearer and we’ll follow up on that.
Trip Comments
A great trip, well organised and fun with a group of very nice people. Our Guides looked after us very well and put our safety first. Lovely choice of wild campsites on the banks of the beautiful Spey. An all round great adventure.
Accommodation and Food
Excellent quality tents and super easy to put up. The communal wigwam was spot on and spacious.
Your Guide
Professional, informative and very safety conscious. Nice guys.
The Bottom Line
Exceeded my expectations. I had a brilliant time and would definitely recommend the trip. We were very lucky having great weather which is a big bonus.
Trip Comments
wonderful trip guided by Moose and Grant ...always on hand to guide us down with great instruction given together with insights of how to read the river drawn from their years of knowledge. Evenings were great..convivial, great food and good company.
Accommodation and Food
great
Your Guide
Grant and Moose were excellent guides and very willing to share their knowledge and insights of canoeing and how to read the water and river
Pre-Trip Service
The comments from previous clients on the website was very useful. Jane Gilles was helpful. Pretty efficient really.
Trip Comments
Overall great trip. The canoeing was actually harder than I expected but that made it more of an adventure. The guides were clearly very experienced so I felt very safe. The rover was low on day three so canoeing was harder and we did lots of walking with the canoes but in hindsight that was possibly the best day!
Your Guide
Both Paul and Myles were excellent guides. They were technically very capable and also helped managed the group dynamic and kept people engaged. I would happily recommend both of them as guides.
The Bottom Line
Great trip, excellent guides, good adventure, stunning countryside - highly recommend this trip to anyone thinking about a bit of time in the Highlands.
Pre-Trip Service
Good communication with the office. I knew what was happening and when!
Trip Comments
The trip itself was actually tougher than I thought it was going to be! Huge kudos to Grant and Moose for metaphorically holding my hand for the tougher bits (Knockando) and letting me pass on the Washing Machine! I didn't feel that I was a wuss. The tents were fine and the use of the mess tent/teepee was brilliant. Food was fantastic and the scenery was amazing.
Accommodation and Food
Obviously, the tents get used and abused. However, these were some of the easiest I have ever put up!
Your Guide
Grant and Moose worked as a great team, both out on the water and on the campsites.
The Bottom Line
Awesome! I'm already planning next year's holiday!
Pre-Trip Service
I appreciated information about train service. More information on how to use train system and how to get from airport to train station in Glasgow would be helpful. In U.S. Taking a train is extremely unusual for most.
Trip Comments
Moose and Frenchie were outstanding
Accommodation and Food
Very efficient camping with good food and equipment
Your Guide
The guides did an outstanding job of organization and leadership. Could not have been better
The Bottom Line
The canoe trip was beginner in the sense of requiring minimal skills but very strenuous. I had a great time and loved the challenge but I would suggest being clear about this. Most people have better lower extremity than upper extremity fitness A person must be in good physical shape and pursuing a fitness program to enjoy this trip canoeing is much more strenuous than walking or biking
Trip Comments
It was one of the best holidays I've had. One minute you're relaxing as you're paddling along a still stretch of river. The next minute you're having some excitement as you paddle down a stretch of fast flowing water.
Accommodation and Food
The hotels were warm and clean. The cooked breakfasts (especially the pancakes and bacon) were a real test of my willpower though....
Your Guide
Jonny had the right compromise between making sure people had a good time and making sure we were safe on the river.
The Bottom Line
I had a good time on this trip and I'd do a similar trip when I next have time :)
I think WS is the "go to" tour operator for activity based holidays in Scotland.
Trip Comments
My highlight of the trip was paddling on the loch in serene calm and sunny conditions. The guides Laura and Grant were very good and looked after us well.
Accommodation and Food
The tented accommodation was good and tents easy to put up.
Your Guide
Laura and Grant were very good and knowledgable and provided us with a lot of information.
The Bottom Line
I have not slept under canvas for at least 30yrs so was a bit concerned but had no worries on that score. I am not a canoeist but Laura was my other half and I enjoyed my time. Being older the portages were a worry but there was no need they were all handled efficiently. Over all an excellent trip.
Pre-Trip Service
It was all fine, maybe two points to note - 1) I phoned up with a query about distribution of kit between my rucksack and the canoe barrel, and I didn't feel the person really understood the point I was asking.
2) This is a bit more tangential - in checking that I was aware of the fitness level required, the advisor came back to me so many times that in the end I genuinely thought she was doubting me. I'm completely on board with making sure, but it almost went over the top.
Trip Comments
Grant & Tom made a great duo: full of enthusiasm and banter. They were flexible in their approach, and brought sunshine even when the rain poured!
Accommodation and Food
One of the most impressive parts of the trip was the flexibility needed to adapt to the changing weather conditions. This meant we spent some time camping on a loch island, and other days on coastal camping sites.
Your Guide
Please see previous comments
The Bottom Line
The Assynt is truly awe-inspiring, and seeing from a canoe on Loch Sionascaig is something I will never forget.
Pre-Trip Service
Nothing to complain about - on a contrary, Bridget made a great job - she guessed by my strange questions, that I am about to make an organizational mess and she supported a lot ... Good job!! :-)
Trip Comments
The trip was a bit more "challenging" (in terms of paddling technique) than I thought, but I felt well taken care of and got support and explanation whenever needed. Not that I understood all of it (my "Canoe English" is not very well developed) - but I made it finally to the level of a "Super potential" :-)) that makes me very proud! And without my capsizers - I would have never got the chance to get an original "Wilderness Scotland" cap ... This alone was worth every bruise and every wet clothes!!
Accommodation and Food
Hotel in Beauly seemed sometimes a bit helpless reacting to customer requests ( a fan in the room and some light in breakfast room) - but all in all was ok. Hotel in Aviemore was great ... nice people and a dry room :-)
Your Guide
These 2 guys did a super natural work!! Myles seems to be born for this job - also when river Findhorn decided not to give us access and (just to please us in addition) have extremely low water - he arranged and managed everything to make the trip go on. Great... And then Paul! His canoeing capabilities are only topped by his great fine type of humour, that I would book to have at my breakfast table every day (if that would be possible ;-) It didn't even stop, when he got in trouble with his car. Also this problem was solved without having any influence on us or on the trip. ....
The Bottom Line
I booked Wilderness the 2nd time now and it was as great as the first time (MTB trip on outer Hebrides). For this trip, perhaps I would not emphasize so much the "unlikeliness of capsizing" :-) - but perhaps this is only what I wanted to focus on, because I am not so much a "water person" ...
