With its rocky coastlines, temptingly close islands, and over 30,000 lochs to explore, Scotland is the ideal place to hone your paddling skills. Scotland has some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the UK. With vast wilderness regions and numerous National Parks, the nation has some of the most magnificent landscapes around. It also has some of the best rivers and some of the best falls in the UK, making it one of the top sites in the UK to do whitewater kayaking – or even whitewater rafting.
This list is by no means comprehensive considering all the gorgeous spots to discover in the UK. It should, however, provide you with a fantastic starting place for your journey down the banks of Scotland.
Loch Lochy
The Caledonian Canal, one of Scotland’s most well-known waterways, runs from Inverness to Fort William. The entire thing may be a stretch for inexperienced kayakers at about 60 miles long, but there’s much to see if you dip in and out.
The canal runs through “The Great Glen,” passing by numerous individual lochs such as Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness, and Loch Dochfour. It’s not only fantastic for canoeing, but also a popular tourist destination, thanks to 22 miles of stunning mountain views, wildlife, and, of course, monster legends!
Loch Shiel
Canoeing on Loch Shiel is a must-do activity for Harry Potter lovers. When the Hogwarts Express travels along the neighbouring railway, the instantly recognisable lake serves as a backdrop in the Harry Potter movies.
Paddle out and you’ll see mountains and medieval castle ruins, making kayaking a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery. The water is quiet, making it ideal for novices and family outings.
Loch Morlich
Loch Morlich is located in the Cairngorms National Park, just outside of Aviemore, which is known for its action sports. Looking up from the ocean, the Cairngorm Mountain ski resort – the UK’s largest – could be seen, and the mountains are frequently topped with snow, even when the ski season is over.
In addition to the breathtaking scenery, the loch has sandy beaches and a beautiful sheltered campsite and caravan site if you want to spend a night. The shallow seas near the beach make this a fantastic swimming spot too!
Isle of Skye
It’s easy to see why the Isle of Skye is one of the most well-known and visited tourist locations on Scotland’s West Coast. Its mountains are breathtaking, and the coastline’s craggy cliffs and bays are equally so.
A sea kayak is a fantastic method to get around the area, providing you access to hidden beaches and breathtaking vistas. You might see otters, seals, dolphins, and perhaps even whales. Minke whales are frequent visitors, although humpback whales, fin whales, and even sperm whales are also frequent visitors.
Scotland is a paddler’s heaven, with a wide range of kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Going out on an adventure in Scotland’s waters appears to be one of the best ways to spend a vacation or even a day out in the UK. If you are feeling motivated to embark on a kayaking or canoeing journey in Scotland’s peaceful waters, visit Beyonk to get the best routes available.
