Canoe Expedition - River Spey

Enjoy a relaxing canoe trip in Scotland on River Spey, where you can learn to canoe over this 5 day canoeing holiday. Paddle with a guide who can help you practice your canoeing skills, ideal for beginners. Also learn bushcraft skills, such as wild camping in this canoe and bushcraft expedition over this UK break.

This is a brilliant Scottish river trip, perfect for beginners to advanced paddlers.

This is a grade two river that drains the northern half of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

We join the Spey at Kin Craig on a small sheltered loch, and descend over 5 days through single malt country to Spey bay where it joins the sea.

After a flat-water skills session, we head off down-river to learn canoe handling skills on the swift waters of the Spey. This is an exciting white-water canoe journey that will leave you with a wide repertoire of paddle strokes and a high degree of river sense.

The Spey descent provides an opportunity to experience the outdoors in the true spirit of adventure. Steeped in history, nature and nestled amongst beautiful countryside the Spey must surely be on every canoeist’s tick list!

Course syllabus:

Basic moving water skills

Hydrology

Paddles and blades

Rescue techniques

Rapid running

Island camping

Whitewater canoe designs

Campfire cookery

Bushcraft skills

Itinerary

• Meet at Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore, PH22 1PE on the start date at 9.30am.

• 5 days paddling from e.g. Saturday - Wednesday. Wild camping in the evenings.

• On Wednesday evening, we will be staying in hotel accommodation to celebrate the end of our journey.

• We will depart for home on the Thursday morning.

Pickup / Dropoff

Meet at Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore, PH22 1PE at 9.30am

Included / Excluded

Included in costs: All specialist equipment and instruction. On the expedition all food and drinks will be provided, and we will cover the cost of your last nights accommodation and evening meal (drinks will not be included in this). Transport back to start point

Essential Information

Wear:

Warm comfortable clothing for paddling in - NO JEANS. Fleece or wool is ideal and synthetics. Wellingtons or boots / trainers you don't mind getting wet (no sandals/flip flops)

Bring:

2nd FULL set of clothes ( as per above)

Warm hat and gloves.

Waterproofs - trousers and jacket with hood.

Comfortable boots/ trainer for evening

Toothbrush and toiletries - including biodegradable soap and small towel

Personal medication

Insect repellent

Sun cream - you never know!

Sleeping bag – 3 season is ideal

Tent / tarp (we can provide)

Camping mattress (we can provide)

Spoon, Bowl, Cup

Water Bottle

Pocket knife

Torch or head torch is ideal , and maybe some spare batteries.

Any personal favourite snacks.

Pack into a medium size rucksack

Also bring a set of clothes to change into on the last night!

Please let us know if you would like us to provide any equipment I.e. tent/tarp, camping mattress etc. ( dry bags will be provided).

Restrictions

No experience is necessary.