canoeists on spey river in scotalnd

Canoe Scotland: Whitewater & Whisky

Classic Inn to Inn ✦ 7 days ✦ Intermediate ✦  From $5395

Paddling the Spey River Valley

Embark on a unique Scottish adventure with our Canoe Scotland: Whitewater & Whisky tour. Paddle down the majestic River Spey, Scotland's fastest flowing river, while exploring the heart of Highland whisky country. This inn-to-inn canoeing experience combines the thrill of navigating gentle rapids with the pleasure of sampling world-renowned single malts. Prepare for breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and unforgettable whisky tastings.

Your journey begins in the Cairngorms National Park, where you'll warm up with a paddle on Loch Morlich, surrounded by stunning mountain views. From there, canoe down the River Spey, stopping at picturesque villages and staying in historic upscale hotels. Each evening, our guides will introduce you to the region's finest whiskies, from famous distilleries like Chivas and Dewar's to hidden gems like An Cnoc and Tamdhu. And don't worry about carrying your luggage – it'll be shuttled to your next hotel, along with any newly purchased bottles!

As you paddle through the beautiful Highland countryside, you'll encounter gentle rapids, explore historic bridges, and visit local distilleries to learn about the whisky-making process. You will also have opportunities to sample rare and exceptional malts at local pubs and whisky shops. This Scotland canoe tour isn't just a trip; it's an immersion into the heart of Scottish culture, history, and natural beauty. Join us for one of Scotland's best canoeing adventures and discover the magic of the Spey Valley.

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Canoe Scotland: Whitewater & Whisky
rides: 4 to 14 mi
sleep: boutique hotels
eat: hearty Scottish cuisine

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21 Sep 2025
10 May 2026
7 Jun 2026

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lake scenery in Cairnhorns park historic Grantown-on-Spey canoes on the Spey river whisky aging barrels in basement steam train passing canoeists on Spey River historic Cardhu Distillery
 

Canoeing Scotland's Spey Valley Whisky Region  

day 1: Loch Morlich Warm-Up & Whisky Welcome – Paddles & Drams
  • Warm-up paddle on the Loch Morlich
  • Majestic mountain views
  • Welcome whisky tasting in Aviemore
Our Scottish Highlands adventure begins! We'll meet in Inverness at 1 pm and transfer to the stunning Loch Morlich, nestled in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Our canoes await, and we'll get straight onto the water for a refreshing paddle. This is a chance to brush up on our skills and soak in the majestic mountain views from this scenic loch, a perfect prelude to the journey ahead. We'll spend the night in the nearby mountain village of Aviemore. After dinner, our guides will introduce us to the magic of Speyside with an informal whisky tasting in the hotel bar.
 Paddle: 4 mi
Eat: Dinner
Sleep: Cairngorm Hotel  
 
day 2: Loch Insh & the Spey to Boat of Garten – River Adventures Begin
  • Paddling on Loch Insh
  • Scenic descent down the River Spey
  • Arrival in Boat of Garten
Our River Spey journey begins in earnest today. A short transfer takes us to our put-in point at the beautiful Loch Insh. Following the outflow, we'll glide down the River Spey, passing through Aviemore and continuing to the charming village of Boat of Garten. We'll end our first day of river paddling here and transfer back to Aviemore for the night.
 Paddle: 12 mi
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Cairngorm Hotel  
 
day 3: Grantown & Distillery Delights – Whisky Heaven
  • Easy paddling to Grantown-on-Spey
  • Distillery tour and tasting
  • Exploring a whisky shop with rare malts
An easy morning in the canoes awaits as we drift from Boat of Garten to the town of Grantown-on-Spey. Arriving around midday, we'll have lunch and then dedicate the afternoon to exploring the world of local malt whiskies! We'll visit a local distillery for a tour and tasting, immersing ourselves in the process and the flavors. We'll also pop into our favorite whisky shop—a tiny treasure trove packed with over 600 malts, including some very rare gems. We'll spend the night in the attractive town of Grantown-on-Spey.
 Paddle: 4 mi
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Speyside Hotel  
 
day 4: Old Spey Bridge & Whitewater Fun – Skills & Thrills
  • Paddling under the Old Spey Bridge
  • Practicing whitewater canoeing skills
  • Navigating the "Washing Machine" rapid
Paddling away from Grantown-on-Spey, we'll pass under a couple of bridges, including the historic Old Spey Bridge, built in 1754. We'll have time to practice the essential canoeing skills needed for the rapids ahead. We'll put these skills to the test at the end of the day with a trip through the short but exciting rapid known as the "Washing Machine." A short transfer returns us to Grantown-on-Spey, where we'll enjoy a night out at a favorite local restaurant.
 Paddle: 13 mi
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Speyside Hotel  
 
day 5: Knockando & Aberlour – Whisky & Whitewater
  • Navigating the rapids of Knockando
  • Whisky tasting in Aberlour
We return to where we left off yesterday for a fun-filled day on the river. Our moving water skills will be truly tested as we tackle unforgettable rapids like the Station Pool of Knockando and numerous other thrilling rapids. We'll also pass by a few small villages (many of which boast their own whisky distillery) before finishing near the village of Aberlour, our base for the next two nights.  Our guide will lead another whisky tasting in a favorite local bar.
 Paddle: 10 mi
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Dowans Hotel  
 
day 6: Spey Bay – The Journey's End
  • Paddling the final stretch of the Spey
  • Scenic views of the widening valley
  • Farewell dinner and whisky
We canoe along the final stretch of the Spey, where the valley widens as we approach the sea. We'll put our newly honed skills to good use as the Spey twists its way through rolling rural farmland. We'll pass beautiful pools and small islands before paddling under a bridge at Fochabers, where the coastal plain emerges. From there, we'll travel alongside gravel banks to reach the journey's end at Spey Bay. We'll return to Aberlour to celebrate our adventure with a memorable final night meal and, of course, a "wee dram" of the local malt whisky.
 Paddle: 14 mi
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Dowans Hotel  
 
day 7: Departure – Sláinte!
  • Transfer to Inverness
  • Departure from Inverness Airport, Railway Station, or City Center Hotel
After a relaxed breakfast, a 90-minute transfer takes us to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where our trip concludes. We can drop you off at the airport (with regular flights to London, Amsterdam, and Dublin), the railway station, or a city center hotel.  *Sláinte!*
 Travel: Shuttle to airport
Eat: Breakfast
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Whatcha gonna get

  • Expert local bilingual guides
  • Entrance and activity fees
  • Handpicked lodges, ensuite rooms, double occupancy
  • Daily breakfast, lunch, snacks*
  • Dinners featuring fine local cuisine*
  • Whisky tastings*
  • Baggage transfer between hotels
  • Free use of canoe and safety gear
  • Airport pick up & drop off

*as noted in itinerary

Getting there

The Scotland: Whitewater and Whisky meets and ends at Inverness Airport in Inverness, Scotland

Guests should plan their flights to arrive in Inverness before 12:00 (noon) on Day 1 of the tour and their departing flights after 12:00 (noon) on Day 7.

Inverness Airport code: INV     Local Time: GMT

  Travel Tip:   Inverness can also be reached by train or intercity buses from various gateways aound the United Kingdom.

 

Documents Please

Passports are a must for all travelers, and some nationalities may also need a visa. Not sure? A quick check with the Scotland embassy will keep things smooth—because the only surprises on this trip should be the amazing experiences ahead!

Good Drams

Brimming with sweet toffee, sugared almonds and chunky tropical fruit. Hints of caramelized sugar and candied apples give way to very slight honey notes... A typical post paddle discussion, sampling some wee drams of fine Speyside Whisky. With several organized tasting and a few casual drams at the hotel's bar, you will come away versed on some of Soctland's finest.

Casual Whitewater

The River Spey in Scotland, known for its fast-flowing current, offering a mix of moderate rapids (mainly grade 2) alongside stretches of calmer water, making it a great option for both beginner and experienced paddlers, with stunning scenery.

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