Offers of Canoeing Scotland

There’s no better way to experience complete peace and tranquillity than by gliding across still waters in a green, unspoilt landscape. To achieve this sensation, you need two things: a watercraft and a location. Characterised by simplicity, style and a timeless connection to our ancestors, canoes are a wonderful way to take to the water and start exploring. They are long, open boats, pointed at both ends, which are powered by one or more people using single bladed paddles. Their silent passage across the water is punctuated only by the sound of the paddle entering the water on each stroke, creating the perfect conditions for unwinding and contemplating nature. And talking about the natural surroundings of choice for a canoeing expedition, the most beautiful, remote and varied scenery in the British Isles is found in Scotland. Rivers, lakes, canals, inlets of the sea and any other body of water you can think of is yours to enjoy in this breathtaking part of the world, where rugged terrain alternates with still water - a recipe for a life changing experience.

Where are the best places to go canoeing in Scotland?

• Southern: The Roman Emperor Hadrian defined the border between his land and that of Scotland almost 2000 years ago, and the frontier wall can still be seen cutting across the country. On the Scottish side of Hadrian's Wall is the modern day boundary - the River Tweed. This is a fantastic place to navigate with the current, with views of different countries on each bank. North of the border, there are lochs that are also excellent for canoeing, such as St Mary’s Loch near the town of Peebles, and several in Galloway including Loch Doon.

• Central Belt: The vast majority of the Scottish population lives in this central region between the Firths of Clyde and Forth, so it's not surprising that there are enthusiasts here who’ve found some great locations to practise their passion. From Edinburgh you don’t have to go far for it - the Union Canal and Gladhouse Reservoir are man made bodies of water which ensure pleasant paddling, while numerous locations along the shore of the Forth -Cramond Harbour, Musselburgh Lagoons, Portobello Beach and South Queensferry to name a few - are ideal too. On the other side of the Forth, the River Devon is another great option. You can practice this sport in an urban setting in Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow, at the Pinkston watersports centre. There’s flat water for peace and practise, and a specially built white water facility for a wet and wild adventure.

• Loch Lomond: This is one of the most popular destinations for open air tourism in the UK, and the open waters of Loch Lomond, surrounded by mountains and glens, are at the heart of it. Canoeing here is a must, but not the only option. The Rivers Endrick and Teith flow into the National Park of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and you can follow their journey into this natural wonderland.

• Argyll: Beyond Loch Lomond, a narrow inlet of the sea known as Loch Fyne separates the 30 mile long Kintyre peninsula from the mainland. The sheltered side of this spit of land is fantastic for exploring, as is the seaward side when the conditions are right. If you take your canoe out onto the water here you can enjoy views of the islands of Islay and Jura, and even the Northern Irish coast on a clear day.

• Northeast: The area from the Firth of Forth to the Moray is a mixture of high and lowland. Lochs that sit in high valleys, such as Loch Tay and Loch Insh in the Cairngorms National Park, allow for peaceful canoeing with mountain views, while the rivers which connect them to the sea, like the Rivers Tay and Spey, can take you on a smooth descent to the lowlands. There are other pools and channels to explore here, the Findhorn River that flows to the Firth of Moray and the Willowgate lagoon near the mouth of the River Tay.

• The Highlands: The highest mountains in the British Isles are the Highland’s most iconic feature, but they’d be nothing without the water that shapes the landscape, separating peaks and valleys and forming island chains. The Great Glen is a valley which cuts across the country from Fort William to Inverness, and cradles several wonderful canoeing lochs - Lochs Oich and Lochy for example. These are connected by rivers and a man made canal, the Caledonian Canal. After Fort William, the best hub base camp for canoeists is Lairg, on the shores of Loch Shin. The Kyle of Sutherland is a long narrow estuary, where much of the rain which falls in the northernmost parts of the country drains to the sea.

What are the options for organising a trip?

Short sessions or lessons of an hour of two are a great way to learn about this world if you’ve never tried it before. In particular, a small loch or reservoir on the Scottish mainland with calm, sheltered waters, is perfect for getting to know the boat and learning the technique. But the best way to enjoy canoeing, indeed, the purpose for which they were designed, is an excursion that lasts half a day or a full day - or even multiple days. Taking a tour down a river, through a lake system or on the coast is an unparalleled experience, where the ever changing landscape reveals itself to you with every paddle. You can carry provisions in the hull, take breaks on beaches and islands, and connect with yourself and with nature in a way you didn’t know was possible. An organised tour is the ideal choice if you want to make sure that you see the best that Scotland has to offer, but you can also rent canoes and find your own route, if you know how to use one.

Requirements to do this activity

Unlike rowing, which involves quite complex coordination and looking away from where you’re going, paddling a canoe is a skill that can be picked up quickly, so even first timers will be able to get around the Scottish waterways with only a small amount of instruction. Another advantage of this kind of craft is that you can find individual ones alongside larger vessels for two or even more people. This means that you can team up novices with more experienced canoeists and everyone will get the most out of the experience. Of course, it also means that you can take the kids with you, from the age of 5 years old, and go on a voyage of discovery that will give them something to talk about for weeks to come.

Try it!