There’s no secret as to where this region of Scotland gets its name. If you look at the UK on a wall map, you have to look up to locate, and if you’re lucky enough to be in the area, you have to look up to see the peaks of the highest mountains in the British Isles. Scottish mountains that measure over 915 metres, that’s 3,000 feet, above sea level are known as Munros. There are almost 300 of them around the country, with the vast majority in the Highland region, especially around Ben Nevis in the west and the Cairngorms National Park in the east. But the dominant features of this landscape aren’t just peaks. To separate one from the other and carry rainfall and snowmelt down to the sea, there are dramatic canyons, steep sided gorges and rugged ravines where water crashes downwards. And just as there are those who get their kicks by reaching the summits of the Munros, there are others who love nothing more than exploring these canyons and challenging themselves to follow the course of the water as closely as possible towards lowlands.

Tour operators have been offering canyoning excursions in the Highlands for a couple of decades now, and it’s become one of the best destinations in the whole of Europe to try it out if you’re a beginner, or to find unique challenges if you’re something of an expert. Activities listed as gorge walking are in the same category, and usually take place in the same locations, but they usually involve more walking and less of the diving, climbing, scrambling and swimming that characterises canyoning. So brace yourself for all the information that you need to know before entering the canyon, then keep bracing during the intense descent!

Where are the best places to go canyoning in the Highlands?

• Lochaber: This is the area around Fort William. It sits at one end of the Great Glen, a huge valley that cuts across the North of Scotland, and in the shadow of Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Bevis. The huge differences in elevation make for some great canyoning routes. There are some that lead down the face of Ben Nevis itself, avoiding the well trodden paths of the hillwalkers, and on other Munros in the area like Carn Na Nathrach. Inchree is a popular starting point for other descents, including a route through the Allt Van Halen canyon, while the waterfall known as the Grey Mare’s Tail at Kinlochleven is the most famous.

• North: While the northerly stretches of the Highlands don’t have as impressive peaks as other areas, they make up for that with their remote location, where the beautiful scenery is unspoilt by hordes of visitors. You can also find some real gems of canyons, for example on the Applecross Peninsula on the slopes of Beinn Dahm, on the wild road between Gairloch and Torridon. Even more remote is the Dundonnell gorge, which joins the sea at the fjord of Little Loch Broom.

• Isle of Skye: It’s uncommon that an island has sufficient elevation and area for it to have rivers that carve ravines into the landscape, but Skye is a special place for this and many other reasons. You can find fantastic canyoning experiences between the island’s mountains in the valley of Sligachan.

• Inverness: The regional capital sits at the opposite end of the Great Glen from Fort William, and is another important base for exploration of the Highlands. Of course, most of the visitors will head straight for Loch Ness and spend the day scanning the water's surface for any signs of a monster. For a more rewarding day out, we recommend that you go off the beaten track to Achnagairn or Culloden where you can get into the water yourself.

• Cairngorms National Park: Some of the highest mountains in the country are found here and, as you’d expect, so are some of the most dramatic canyons. The mountaineering town of Aviemore is a stone’s throw from some canying spots around the River Spey, while the Rivers Dee, Braemar and Avon - at the Bridge of Brown - also have sections that are perfect for this activity. The River Truim flows westwards off the mountains to Loch Laggan, where white waters crash down the Allt Na h Uamha ravine to join the calm waters of the lake.

How long does this experience last?

It depends how long your canyon of choice is! There are some long routes through the landscape that can take 3 hours or almost a whole day to complete - and sometimes, once you’re in, you have to get to the bottom in order to get out. These routes are reserved for the fearless, and experienced, adventurers who can use some mountaineering equipment, including ropes, employ some climbing techniques, and tolerate being in cold water for long periods of time.

Other canyoning locations in the region are more like natural playgrounds, where you choose your route around the area. Excursions to these places are shorter, usually lasting around 2 hours.

Who can enjoy this activity?

Like we say, canyoning is a sport that adapts itself to your level; it can be as easy, or as difficult, as you want it to be. Although you don’t need any experience to have a go in one of the regions’s more forgiving canyons, most guides don’t take children under the age of 12 years old on their excursions. This is due to the fact that the activity involves getting wet and staying wet, while navigating a complex environment of rock, water and vegetation. The related activity of gorge walking can be better for families with younger children because you can usually avoid getting too wet.

What you need to bring and material provided

If you want to, you can get into a canyon and start exploring on your own account without any special equipment. The advantages of going with a guide, apart from the obvious ones of safety and local knowledge, are that they’ll give you some kit to make sure that you can do as much as possible on the route and enjoy it the whole way through. You need to have a swimsuit with you to wear under a wetsuit, which will keep you warm during the activity. You’ll also be given a helmet and a lifejacket to help get around the rocky and aquatic obstacle. Finally, you need a good pair of shoes. This is your responsibility, and you should choose them well to ensure that you get some grip on wet rock. Old lace up trainers are usually a good option. Apart from a towel and some warm layers to put on afterwards, that’s all you need!

Mountains are so last year, it’s canyons where the action’s at. Come to find out for yourself!