When Magellan started the first journey around the world, he set sail from Seville. When Captain Cook found Australia, he set sail from Plymouth. If you want to take a life changing journey down a white water river, you should start in Fort William. This town is the heart of Scotland’s most rugged landscape. Surrounded by dramatic valleys, long inlets of the sea and the highest mountains in the British Isles, it’s a magnet for adventurers. Some come to bag some Munros, that is, summit the peaks that are over 915 metres above sea level, others to explore the coastline, but the most adrenaline fuelled experiences, the wildest rides, are found in inflatable rafts that crash down white water rivers in this region.

The high mountains and irregular landscape that make up the area around Fort William funnels the falling rain and melting snow into seething channels of water that have to descend to sea level. The result is a number of rivers where rapids alternate with drops and falls as the current carries rafts and their intrepid crews downstream, around bends and ever closer to the sea. It can be as extreme as you like, with whiteout conditions for the most daring and smoother routes that allow for more time to look up at the breathtaking landscape. Whatever it is you’re after, keep reading to find out how to make it happen.

What are the best rivers for rafting in Fort William?

• River Garry: This is the most popular river for rafting within easy reach of Fort William, and one of the best in the country. One of the reasons for its popularity is that the flow is controlled by a dam and doesn’t rely on rainfall, so it’s a good bet for a successful descent at many times of year. And with rapids sections with names like Double or Quits, Surfs Up, Hey Diddle Diddle, and the Tunnel of Love, you know you’re in for a good time.

• River Lochy: Like the Garry, the Lochy carries water from the lochs of the Great Glen, a huge valley that cuts all the way across the Scottish highlands, to the sea. But unlike the Garry, it isn’t a really intense river, it’s a more family ride with plenty of winding meanders to enjoy and beautiful scenery in all directions.

• River Spean: One of the most significant rivers in the highlands, the Spean rises in the Cairngorms National Park in northeast Scotland, but flows away from the North Sea and cuts across the country to reach Fort William. The watercourse varies quite considerably depending on rainfall, but it can be a fantastic location for white water rafting.

• River Roy: The Roy is a tributary of the Spean. It flows through Glen Roy, a little known treasure of the highlands where flora, fauna and unique geological features make any journey downriver journey through a wild wonderland. Like the Spean, rafting here is also dependent on rainfall.

• River Moriston: A dam controls the amount of water that flows down this river and into Loch Ness. Like the world famous monster of this loch, when it appears, the surge from the dam causes a real stir. This is white water rafting as wild as it comes - not for the fainthearted!

• River Orchy: One of the most exciting white water routes is found on the Orchy. It’s a challenge to get down unscathed, but the rewards are fantastic drops, dizzying eddies and spray from every direction. What’s more, you can choose the length of the excursion because there are multiple entry and exit points along the river.

• River Leven: Tumbling down to the legendary Glencoe, the River Leven doesn’t fail to disappoint when it comes to rapids and excitement. The jaw dropping beauty of the surroundings could actually be a disadvantage here, if you want to avoid getting a mouthful of river water!

• River Oich: A slow and steady descent down through the Great Glen, this one is perfect for families. You might even see some wildlife as you wind downstream, including waterbirds, raptors, and maybe even otters.

• Further afield: The River Awe is located further than the other rivers listed here, but it’s well worth the journey. The landscape is quite different from that around Ben Nevis and the Great Glen, so riding through it on a rapid river is a great way to add some variety to your trip to the highlands.

Options for this experience on the rivers around

- If you like working as part of a team, the best option for you is a full size raft. These can fit up to 6 or 8 people, and every one of them will be equipped with a paddle to help control the raft. More people mean more laughs, but also bigger splashes! For families with younger children, there are routes around Fort William that don’t involve so much crashing around, where the inflatable sides of the raft keep everyone safe. On these routes, children as young as 7 years old can take part on some rivers, or 5 years old on the RIver Oich, whereas wilder rivers, such as the Moriston, are only suitable for adults.

- A different experience can be felt by tackling rapids in a 2 person inflatable raft in the form of a kayak. These are known as funyaks, and, with their streamlined shape and double-ended paddles, can achieve higher speeds than a full size raft. Of course, that also means that the chance of falling in is a bit higher, so this is best for children from age 8 up, as long as they’re in a kayak with an adult. A good river for funyakking near Fort William is the Leven.

- Finally, for true daredevils, there’s river bugging, where you can face the rapids alone on a very simple raft. It’s basically a horseshoe shaped tube, where you hang on to the sides with your feet sticking out of the front. We recommend that you try to stay in a forward facing position! Like funyakking, bugging is suitable for everyone over 8 years old.

How long does an experience last?

The duration of a descent of a river in the highlands of Scotland will depend on the conditions, and the will of your crew, but you can expect to be on the water for 90 minutes on shorter courses, and a couple of hours or more on longer routes. When you factor in the time it takes to arrive at the launching site and to get kitted out with a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket, you can imagine that this experience is likely to occupy half a day of your holiday here.

Are you ready for a voyage like no other? You’ll find it right here, so don’t miss a moment in reserving.