Scotland has some very sensible access rules. In 2003 the Scottish parliament passed the Land Reform Act. This gives you the right to cross land for recreational and educational purposes if it is done responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code can fill in any blanks if you are not sure what ‘responsible’ is. Fort William is a great place to base yourself as from there you have access to plenty of rivers within an hour.

Scotland

River Pattack

Class: 3-4 Time on water: 1-2 hours.

I am really having to go back some years to remember this one. We walked up the private estate road to the Falls of Pattack which are stunning. The river was short but very enjoyable so great to do alongside the Spean. 

River Orchy (Bridge of Orchy to Falls of Orchy)

Class: 3-5 Time on water: 3 hours.

A higher volume paddle in the West Highlands. Most of the run is class 3 with 3 significant drops which are easily portaged. Great for a group of mixed ability.

River Findhorn (Dulsie Bridge to Ardclach)

Class: 3( 4) Time on water: 2-3 hours.

I paddled this section after being probably one of the first group of paddlers to be let down by the rain in Fort William. This is also probably the fastest rising river I’ve paddled in the UK rising by 2 feet in the time it took to do the shuttle! The run was big and bouncy with 2 harder class 4 rapids.

River Etive (Triple Falls to Allt A’Chaorainn)

Class: 4-5 Time on water: 30 mins- 2 hours.

If you come to Scotland and don’t paddle to Etive you’ve done something wrong. The Etive really is one of the Scottish Classics. It provides you with plenty of boofing and photo opportunities. You’ll see locals running laps of it but if it’s your first run it is worth inspecting drops.

River Moriston

Class: 4-4+ Time on water: N/A

The Moriston must be one of the best hard Dam released rivers. It is short, however, packs some great drops and falls. Release dates are on the SCA website. It used to be home to the Moriston River Race dubbed Britain’s most extreme white water kayaking ace.

River Garry

Class: 3  Time on water:  N/A

Another Dam released river with some play spots along the way. This was the unfortunate undoing of my paddle breaking in half. Fortunately, we were still near the get in so I could run to get my spare. I ran this in a Diesel 80 but would suggest a playboat if you want to play more in the waves.

River Nevis (Polldubh Falls)

Class: 4+-5 Time on water: N/A.

If the water levels are low, this drop is great as it runs in the lowest water levels. Above the falls can be run at continuous class 4/5 or 5/5+ in higher flows. We ran this drop as all the rivers were empty. It’s good fun but I would suggest not following in my paddle strokes by landing on my face the first time! 

River Spean

Class: 3-5 Time on water: 2-3 hours.

I have paddled the Spean from Laggan Dam as well as the Spean Gorge. The Spean Gorge is a beautiful low-level gorge run. The Spean from Laggan Dam is one of the highest volume runs I have done in a kayak. To start the Dam is no traditional dam. It has 6 massive pipes in the middle of the dam that releases at higher water levels. This leads to the soaking of your life as the spray continues for 200m+ downstream of the Dam. I have never seen anything else like it and probably never will.

*Please bear in mind this list only just scrapes the surface. The UK has over 68,000km of inland waterways. Canoe Scotland https://www.canoescotland.org/go-paddling/wheres-the-water (Scotland) is a great resource with live river levels.

Check out our top rivers in England: 

https://peakadventure.co/journal/best-uk-river-en…st-paddle-rivers/

Check out our top rivers in Wales: 

https://peakadventure.co/journal/best-uk-river-wa…st-paddle-rivers/

English Whitewater Guide Book (British Canoe Union Guidebook):

https://amzn.to/3cg78n8

The Welsh Rivers: The Complete Guidebook to Canoeing and Kayaking the Rivers of Wales:

https://amzn.to/3ep9EtO

Scottish White Water Paperback

https://amzn.to/3qFB6Gt

Other useful Links:

https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/

Some links might be associated links. These links help support our Journal.