When a couple of surf instructors started standing up on their surfboards and using a paddle to move in the water off the beautiful, golden-sands beach of Waikiki, Hawaii, they probably didn’t realise that they were pioneering a new sport which would transform the way we experience the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, has become one of the most popular ways of exploring the waterways in Scotland, opening up these fantastic places to people of all ages and abilities. The region of Perth and Kinross, in the northeast of the country, is one of the best places to go paddleboarding, and we’re going to tell you where to find the best experiences and deals.

The success of SUP, in Scotland and around the world, is down to its simplicity and versatility. Unlike other watersports like surfing or kayaking, the entry level is very low so everyone can have a go. After getting the hang of it, there are so many places it can take you, and so many different activities that you can do with it, that it becomes an endless adventure. Perth and Kinross is the region where the highlands of the Cairngorms mountains meet the lowland coastal zone. The water which travels down the slopes, passing through lochs and tumbling over rapids, provides a huge variety of locations for different types of paddleboarding. There’s something for everyone here!

Where are the best places to go paddleboarding in Perth and Kinross?

• Willowgate: You don’t have to make the journey up to the highlands to enjoy paddleboarding here. Just outside Perth, the Willowgate Activity Centre has an artificial lake where you can take your first steps onto a SUP and start paddling. You can also take to the River Tay, the longest river in Scotland, which is broad and mellow at this point near the end of its journey to the sea.

• Loch Tay: The source of the River Tay is Loch Tay, a long lake that snakes its way along a highland valley. It’s a beautiful, tranquil spot for SUP, with 23 kilometres of length and views of mountains in all directions. You can also take a SUP onto the River Tay as it leaves the loch and flows past Aberfeldy, but be warned - you’ll have to deal with some white water!

• River Lyon: This river runs parallel to Loch Tay, separated by a wooded ridge. The current carries you through completely untouched scenery, where trees and boulders alternate with open views of the landscape, and the only sounds are the babble of the water, the songs of the birds, and the splash of your paddle.

• Loch Faskally: The River Tummel is dammed at the town of Pitlochry to form Loch Faskally. With still waters that are sheltered from wind and weather, it’s a great place for newcomers to the world of SUP. There’s also a fish ladder, a man made series of pools for salmon to travel upstream past the dam.

• Loch Tummel: Several lochs break up the flow of the River Tummel. The first of them, going upstream from the Pitlochry is Loch Tummel. It’s a long, thin body of water with islands that you can explore at each end, and grassy banks along the shores.

• Dunalastair Water: Next up is a small loch on the Dunalastair Estate. The land here belonged to Clan Robertson, and the ruins of a neo gothic mansion sit in a prominent position above the water. This area was also a filming location for the Outlander series.

• Loch Rannoch: Finally, you reach the source of theRiver Tummel, Loch Rannoch. This is a designated Natural Scenic Area, due to the Caledonian Forest and Rannoch Moorland that surround the loch, and the stunning views of the imposing, conical peak of Schiehallion which rises to over 1,000 metres above sea level to the south. All of these things can be best enjoyed on a SUP.

What are the options for organising an experience?

There are places in Perth and Kinross where you can simply hire paddleboarding equipment and go exploring. This is usually on still, sheltered waters, where the risks of falling in are low. If you want to build up the skills and confidence to explore more challenging areas, you should sign up for a lesson. These usually last around 2 hours, almost all of which is spent on the water, getting familiar with the kit and learning the paddling techniques. There are beginners sessions on offer in many locations, and intermediate sessions can be found too. Finally, if you want to see the best of what this region has to offer, you should take advantage of the local knowledge of a guide on a SUP tour. They can take you to remote areas, on journeys through the landscape, and onto more challenging waterways over the course of half a day or a full day.

Once you know how to use a paddleboard, you’ll realise that they allow you to far more than just paddle from one place to another. In Perth and Kinross you’ll find much more imaginative uses for SUP, like SUP yoga, where the board acts as your own personal yoga mat in the middle of a tranquil lake. Or for something completely different, you can invite your friends to have a wild ride on a giant paddleboard which can fit up to 8 people.

Requirements to do this activity

Of all the watersports out there, paddleboarding is the most intuitive and accessible. Almost anyone can find their balance on one of these boards and learn how to use a paddle to effectively move through the water. So you don’t need any experience of SUP or any other watersport in order to sign up for an introductory session. In some places, even children as young as 7 years old can take part. Some longer sessions or tours are a bit more demanding, so they’re not suitable for the newest or youngest paddleboarders, but with just a lesson or two you’ll have the confidence and ability to start exploring the rivers and lochs of Perth and Kinross in the most satisfying way possible.

With so much to discover, there’s no need to waste any more time - book an experience today!