I think a few of you would find this interesting. LD was the instigator of this jaunt, and despite a few last minute drop outs, five of us did a couple of days, with one heading home early to work and family commitments.

If you have not been for a good canoe journey in the UK, I would thoroughly recommend it – especially on the Spey.

We travelled about 60 miles in three days, starting at Aviemore and ending up at Spey Bay. Water was loooooooow, but the wind was a real boon, blowing hard in the right direction each day.

Camps were both buried in tree filled islands, as the wind forecast was correct with near gale force each night.
The usual suspects.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MBB83H]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A potter from Aviemore on flatter waters for day 1

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Mug1BV]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaD8iE]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

The kitchen sink beer, whisky and food was carried by one crew member, and then some spare…
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaDf8b]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaCZj3]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

Night 1 camp was full 5* with seats, firepit and mossy, flat, soft ground for each tent under Scots pines:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/LEfshe]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A 13 year old Craigellachie malt was washed down by fajita’s, refried beans, veggie rice and more…
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaDaWf]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

The next day was a step up in rapids and distance – 28 miles – some pics were taken by others of the the bigger white water, as I popped the good camera away in a dry bag. Much bailing.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MufCgx]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

One for mc_moonter
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Mrvwrf]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LEbMSq]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaCTQ7]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LEf3rt]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

(NOT my pic of the washing machine rapid, probably the most feared on the Spey. It has a habit of sinking boats at random….)

This was a huge day, and lots of rapids, lots of anglers to avoid (they don’t like being flattened by canoes…) and a big distance meant we were glad to find our less glamourous, but perfectly functional camp at Rothes island.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LEfghP]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MBBenr]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

The last day was best – stunning scenery, constantly interesting rapids and a fine finish (ahem, knee deep mud hopping as I chose to park cars on West bank of river, not east bank, ahem)

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MaCJym]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MufqBv]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MBBbGB]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MBBYN4]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

That is the Moray Firth and beach at Spey Bay, baby.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MyxUZE]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/MruFX1]River Spey Canoe Descent[/url] by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A shuttle, a 3 hour drive home.
Back at work today.

Awesome! As soon as my kids are old enough, I plan on doing exactly that with them.

Ace. Not sure about the camping bit of it, though, I am decidedly anti-stw-fashionista in that I like a good night’s kip in a comfy B&B

That looks a lot of fun. We tried some sea kayaking last month and I believe I have finally found a sport my wife enjoys! Thinking about doing the Wye valley with her next year.

thanks for sharing!

(we’ve just come back from a canoe trip, i’ll post some photo’s myself…)

Great stuff. I would love to do this if another trip happens next year…

What were the midges like at those camps?

Not a midge was seen. 8)

edit: I didn’t take shorts off the whole time, and while the wind was cold, camps were cosy and warm and the sun burned through still.

I like a good night’s kip in a comfy B&B

I can suggest B&B’s all down the bank of this trip…

Looks terrific. I used to stay at Delnapot at the junction of the Spey and the Avon. We used to regularly see folks camping and paddling on their way to the Moray Fiirth. I’d love a bash at it too.

An old aristo friend floated down from Loch Insch to Kinrara on a lilo. He husband welcomed her ashore with Damson Gin.

I was really hoping for a suitably dressed gent at the coast welcoming us ashore with a dram…
Sadly it was a breezy car park with a few old dears supping from a Thermos, sat in their Astra’s…

Nice! use the bridge at Delnapot to cross over the A95 en route to Tomintoul/Glenlivet..

Brilliant, all useful suggestions gladly welcomed, we’ve been considering this very trip for a while 🙂

might be next summer or even the summer after before we do the trip, but it’s definitely on the “to-do-” list

Matt – that look brilliant fun !

@nbt

We did it in three days, with good flow it can be done faster, low flow four days is better bet unless you are efficient paddlers.

Aviemore – you are spoiled and scotroutes may have suggestions. We stayed at http://www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk/bunkhouse.html right at the get in.

Second night – Grantown has lots of places, but I stayed at (and really liked) http://www.grantarmshotel.com/, about 10 mins walk up from the river on back road. You could lock a boat at riverside area under old bridge – some fences or telegraph poles there.

Third night, Carron, one of the best B&B’s I have stayed at – http://www.speysidebedandbreakfast.co.uk/ You may need to lug a boat 10m up a steep bank, or ask the B&B folk if you could lock a canoe behind the neighbours fishing lodge.

Third night, I haven’t stayed but a friend has at http://www.ortonholidaycottages.com/. It is a couple of fields up from the river, but the speyside way and tracks should get you there.

We did this trip May Bank Holiday 2013. The river was high, and the wind was a brisk Sou’westerly. Absolutely perfect. Day one was Kincraig to Boat of Baillifurth (sp?), day two to Craigellachie, and day three to Spey Bay. An absolutely splendid trip.

Other river users told us we were the first group of the season down the river, and judging by the amount of firewood on the shore at the first campsite, that may well be true.

I’ve done Grantown to Spey Bay in two days too. Again a brilliant trip.

That looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Top thread.

Nice trip, brought back memories of our trip 2002, no digital pics of those times;) low water first two days so sometimes got stuck, then more water for day 3, white water of sorts, I am used to the lakes, so flat-ish water, river Spey is beautiful and especially the last day getting to the beach in sunshine before the lift home. Excellent adventure.
There was another group of 4 in the bunkhouse at the start, 4 folk in 2 canoes, one chap was doing washing and ironing, apparently one boat had been in the water, luckily we only had wet feet.
What are the fisherfolk like, are there better days to paddle?

What is the furthest you travelled in a day and how long did it take?
What is your biggest day ever?

Looks shite..

Do carry on enjoying yourselves 😆

Will definitely be looking to do something like in the near future.

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Looking at the catering I’d say you probably managed your own personal homage to the legendary Gene Wilder. 🙂 No appetite for fresh chanterelles then? Speyside is carpeted with them ATM!

Cheers Matt!

Great paddle. Nice photos. The washing machine one brought back memories of doing it in a packraft.

Take 5 days and have a break near Craigellachie/Dufftown visiting a few whisky distilleries?

Video is done. Probably a bit long for non paddlers, too many fun bits!
Tried to add some picture too but cannot get photobucket code to talk to forum Doh!

[video]https://youtu.be/Ib9xHhMmNhw[/video]

Very nice, I’ll be doing it early next year.

Beautiful part of the country, great pics.
Most of my childhood holidays were based from the Boat of Garten, just outside Aviemore.
8)

Looks brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

Lovely.
That film is quite hypnotic…must do work…..

Looks a great trip, thanks for sharing. Still trying to avoid getting in to canoeing/kayaking as I know it will be yet another outdoor pursuit that I wouldn’t have time to do as much as I’d like!