Canoe and whisky

From £980
8 days Active hike and canoe holiday (3/5)

The Cairngorms NP with descent of the River Spey.

Trekking and canoeing from the Cairngorms National Park to the North Sea passing through the heart of the prestigious Speyside distilleries! A unique classic canoeing experience !

You will enjoy...

A real scottish adventure

Exploring the country's largest national park and its tundra highlands.

Beautiful landscapes

The variety of landscapes along the River Spey. The old Caledonian Scottish pine forest

Best whiskies

Tasting the world's most prestigious whiskies directly at the source.

Freedom

The feeling of escape and freedom travelling 4 days by canoe.

Trip Itinerary

Check out or itinerary, don't forget we can customize this trip ! We can’t wait to show you around!

Day 1 - WELCOME TO THE HIGHLANDS
You will be welcomed at the airport by your local guide and travel to the Cairngorms National Park. Accommodation for 2 nights. Short walk in the Scottish pine forest depending on the time of arrival.
Day 2 - TREK IN THE HEART OF THE CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK
Today we head off into the highlands of the National Park, which has 4 of the 5 highest peaks in Scotland. A superb outing in these granite mountains with countless lochs and rivers. We will go to the highest peak in the park and to the most spectacular viewpoint on the heights of Loch Avon. Tranquillity guaranteed!
Day 3 to 6 - CANOEING DOWN THE RIVER SPEY
The canoe classic par excellence! It is Scotland’s most treasured river for 3 reasons: First of all it is a classic for canoeing. Indeed, the descent of the River Spey offers everything you could wish for from a canoe: varied landscapes with the start at the foot of the mountains of the Cairngorms Natural Park, magnificent dense Scottish forests, a continuous but easy grade 1 current and some grade 2 rapids. It is also the most prestigious river for salmon fishing. And finally, the “Speyside” region is the largest of the 5 Scottish whisky regions, recognised worldwide. In fact, more than 60 distilleries bear the “Speyside” appellation, and some of them are located right alongside the river, including Aberlour, Balvenie, Cragganmore, Craigellachie, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Strathisla and Glenlivet, to name but a few.
Day 3 - AVIEMORE - BALLIEFURTH (18KM)
From the Cairngorms Natural Park, we can enjoy superb views of the park’s mountains. The river flows gently, allowing us to get used to the current and familiarise ourselves with canoeing and work a little on our technique. First night we bivouac by the river with dinner under the stars by the fire, out in the heart of nature.
Day 4 - BALLIEFURTH - BLACKSBOAT BRIDGE (25KM)
Today we enter the realm of whisky! In the morning we have the opportunity to try our hand with a faster current and face the rapids in this 2nd section of the descent. We stay overnight in a tent or B&B, your choice.
Day 5 - BLACKBOAT BRIDGE – CRAIGIELLACHIE (16KM)
Now we are in the heart of Speyside, the land of single malt! We will be ready with our skills honed to paddle with style down the Knockando rapids, from where we will have the opportunity to admire superb scenery accessible only from the river. We stay overnight in Craigellachie and with an evening at the village whisky bar.
Day 6 - CRAIGELLACHIE - SPEY BAY (27KM)
In this last section, you can feel that the sea is now close by. The river takes on a more direct approach as it flows directly to the sea. The last section contains a small delta before arriving in Spey Bay, which is a great place to watch dolphins! In the evening we return to Aviemore to celebrate the descent!
Day 7 - VISIT TO GLASGOW / EDINBURGH
We leave the Cairngorms in the morning and arrive in town around noon. Afternoon and evening are free to explore the city centre with the precious advice of your guide. Accommodation in the city centre.
Day 8 - GLASGOW or EDINBURGHrgh
Airport transfer and return flight

Itinerary map

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Pricing Chart

This itinerary is a trip idea ! We can customize it as much as you want, feel free to ask us !

Comfort
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£980/pp
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Like what you see ?
“Fantastic adventure! I organised it for my group of friends and we all enjoyed it very much. We all love whisky so sipping those drams from the places they are produced makes it even better. The canoe journey was epic. Great guidance from Tom and Drew on the water. They looked after us very well and we had lots of fun!”
Regis (France)
August 2018
“Great river adventure on the famous spey. This is a perfect combo: paddle and drink :-). spectacular scenery particularly on day 2 and 3.”
Patrice (France)
August 2019

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