Canoe the Scottish Highlands (River Spey)

You don't need any existing experience for this trip, but you do need to be keen for adventure and have a good base level of fitness. This means you'll want to be doing sport/jogging/exercise a few times a week in the run-up to your trip. The river has some white-water sections, but never harder than grade II (suitable for beginners). The first day of the trip is also skills-focused and your guides will show you how to paddle efficiently, if you haven't done it already.

Below is a basic kit list of what to pack. After booking, you will be able to see the link to our helpful video on packing for a canoe trip. - Walking trousers (synthetic materials; jeans or similar are not suitable) - Spare shoes to get wet plus dry shoes for camp - Quality, breathable waterproof jacket and trousers. We recommend Gore-tex or similar - Spare insulating layer - Hat & gloves - Warm socks - Sleeping bag, 3 season - Spare set of clothes x 2 full sets - Some large zip-lock bags to keep your clothes and equipment organised  - Head torch, plus spare batteries - Water bottle or flask - Sunglasses and sun cream (you just never know!) Personal medications

Most people take the train to Aviemore station - it's well connected (including to London). You can also drive and park in the town. At the end of the trip you'll be dropped back in Aviemore (the transfer is included in the price).

Sometimes the weather can deem an activity unfeasible for a set period of time. If this is the case, then your guide will offer an appropriate alternative. Examples are as follows: - Canoe a different section of water. - Start at a diffrent location to allow for a safer journey iof the water levels are high.

It’s highly recommended you take out personal travel insurance. Travel cover protects you in the case of unforeseen circumstances including cancellations, injuries, equipment loss, flight changes and other events that could negatively impact your trip. We suggest specialist adventure travel insurers, [Rise & Shield](https://riseandshield.com/). They cover 100s of activities and are easy to deal with if you need to make a claim. They also cover unique scenarios, like trekking at altitude or emergency evacuation in hard-to-reach places, that ordinary travel insurance doesn’t cover.

You'll either be in a 2 or 3 person tent. Generally, two people share a tent but, If you are travelling solo, we can usually provide you with your own tent. There are several designated "Wild Camping" locations along the way where you'll camp. This is a true 'wild camping' experience, but most sites do have basic toilets.

Yes, we generally eat out on the last evening at the small village of Craigellachie.

8 people in tandem boats, so 2 people per boat.

The total distance is 98km. Each day you will paddle for up to 6 hours at a moderate pace, with plenty of breaks along the way.

The guides will provide barrels that have seals to keep the quipment dry. We do advise to 'double bag' items such as sleeping bags and spare clothes as a precation

We provide a shuttle in our modern, 9 seater minibus which will be at the end point for us finishing our trip.

We aim to be at the end of the trip for 2.30. This allows us a few hours to get packed and loaded and be back at the start of the trip for around 16.30.

Parking is on a quiet street in Aviemore next to the Old Bridge Inn. It is free but not formal parking in a secure car park.