River Spey Descent September 19 - September 23 2026

EXPED NO.- EAEX0059

What is Included

4 nights wild camping (single or two-person)
All meals, from lunch on the day of arrival through to lunch on the day of departure
All transport, starting and finishing in Aviemore
The services of at least one experienced and knowledgeable canoe mentor/driver throughout your trip
All group equipment, including tents, group safety equipment and cooking/eating equipment and utensils
Please note that sleeping bags are not included but are available for hire
All specialist open canoe equipment, including canoes and buoyancy aids
Pre-journey video group call with follow-up.

Start Date

19 September 2026

Finish Date

23 September 2026

Nights Accomodation

4

Days Activity

5

Deposit (£)

£100

Price from (£)

£720

Min Group Size

6

Max Group Size

6

Guiding Ratio

1:3

Reserve Your
Place

At Equal Adventure, every journey is more than just time on the water — it’s a chance to connect with history, nature, and your own sense of possibility.

As you paddle along the iconic River Spey with Equal Adventure, you’re travelling through one of Scotland’s most fascinating and culturally rich landscapes — where every stretch of water has a story to tell.

Flowing through the heart of Speyside, the River Spey is deeply connected to Scotland’s world-famous whisky tradition. With more than half of the country’s distilleries found in this region, the river’s pure, soft water has played a vital role for generations.

With Equal Adventure, you’re not just paddling — you’re immersing yourself in a landscape that has helped shape Scotland’s identity.

The River Spey is known as one of Scotland’s fastest-flowing rivers, once used to transport timber and whisky barrels through the Highlands.

At Equal Adventure, we carefully select routes that are calm, steady, and accessible — ensuring everyone can experience the river in a way that feels safe, supportive, and empowering.

As you paddle with Equal Adventure, you’ll pass beneath historic landmarks like the Broomhill Station Bridge, part of the Strathspey Railway that opened in the 1860s.

This railway once connected remote Highland communities — and today, it remains a symbol of connection, adventure, and discovery.

For centuries, the River Spey has supported thriving salmon fishing traditions. From local communities to Victorian-era travellers, people have long been drawn to these rich waters.

Through Equal Adventure, you become part of this continuing story — experiencing the river in a new, inclusive way.

The River Spey is not just historic — it’s alive with nature. As part of protected conservation areas, it offers a home to incredible wildlife.

While paddling with Equal Adventure, you may spot ospreys overhead, kingfishers darting across the water, herons along the banks, and even otters if you’re lucky.

At Equal Adventure, we believe the outdoors should be open to everyone. Through inclusive design, adaptive equipment, and expert support, we make it possible for people of all abilities to experience the beauty of the River Spey.

Whether you’re new to paddling or looking for a meaningful way to explore the Highlands, your journey is shaped around you.

Your experience with Equal Adventure ends at Craggan Sands — a peaceful riverside setting where you can relax, reflect, and take in the views.

Dip your toes in, share stories with your group, and celebrate what you’ve achieved.

Join Equal Adventure for a canoe journey along the River Spey — where history, nature, and inclusive adventure come together.

👉 Book your experience today

👉 Discover the river, your way

Equal Adventure — opening the outdoors to everyone.

This canoeing journey is suitable for people with some previous canoeing experience and a good level of fitness. Since we are paddling on moving river waters, including several more exciting rapids (up to Grade 2) competence in steering the canoe is an essential skill from the beginning. You can expect up to 7 hours of paddling a day plus breaks.

Whilst Equal Adventure will make all efforts to ensure you are included in a safe and meaningful way, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are appropriately fit and capable for the grade of the trip you wish to join, please work with us so that we can meet your needs. The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable at times which can make activities more challenging, so please bear this in mind when booking. If our guides at any point feel you cannot complete a scheduled activity, they may ask you not to join that day; this would be for your safety and the well-being of the group. If you are unsure about your ability, please contact Equal Adventure so we can work with you to find the right journey for you.

On this trip, we wild camp beside the river loch side each night. We provide tents and also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. If you require a single tent we are happy to provide this, but otherwise, we do ask that those who are happy to share a tent with other travellers do so. This helps to keep our camp size small, giving us more options of where to pitch and reducing our environmental impact on these precious places.

Day by Day Itinerary (dependent on weather and water levels).

Day 1 – Boat of Garten to Boat of Balliefurth

Your mentor will meet you at the railway station in Aviemore and transfer you to our put-in point a short distance away. We will spend some time familiarising ourselves with the moving water environment before setting off on our journey. We move north-east, passing the village of Boat of Garten and the Abernethy Forest. Looking back, there are superb views of the Cairngorms Plateau. Our first nights camp will be on the edge of the forest at Boat of Bailliefurth.

Day 2 – Boat of Balliefurth to Blacksboat
Following breakfast, we’ll paddle into the heart of malt whisky country. As we reach the edge of Grantown-on-Spey.We’ll pass under a couple of road bridges and there will be time to work on the skills that will be essential when negotiating the rapids that lie ahead in the second half of the journey. We’ll put these skills to use at the end of the day with a trip through the short but exciting rapid known as the ‘Washing Machine’ before we reach our next camp.

Day 3 – Blacksboat to Craigellachie

Our moving water skills are tested today as we meet unforgettable rapids such as the Station Pool of Knockando, and numerous shorter rapids. We’ll also pass by a few small villages (most of which have a whisky distillery) before finishing close to the village of Craigellachie near the mouth of the River Fiddich.

Day 4 – Craigellachie to Spey Bay

Today we canoe along the final stretch of the Spey, where the valley widens as we approach the sea. We will put our new skills to good use on this stretch where the Spey twists its way through rolling rural farmland. We pass many beautiful pools and small islands before passing under a road bridge at Fochabers, where the coastal plain emerges and we travel alongside gravel banks before reaching our journey’s end at Spey Bay.

On completion of our journey we will transfer back to Craigellachie to enjoy a final dinner along with a well earned whiskey Tasting Session.

Day 5 – Craigellachie – Return to Aviemore

We will enjoy a final breakfast on this our last day. Following breakfast we will pack our gear and thence transfer back to Aviemore, through the Spey Valley, for the end of the trip.

Note –

This trip is very water dependent and In such instances we will adjust our itinerary accordingly. Your Mentor’s decisions in this respect will be final.

4 nights wild camping. (2 people per tent)
All meals, from lunch on day of arrival through to lunch on day of departure.
All transport, starting and finishing in Aviemore.
The services of at least one experienced and knowledgeable canoe mentor/driver throughout your trip.
All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking/eating equipment and utensils.
Please note that sleeping bags are not included but are available for hire.
All specialist open canoe equipment, including canoes and buoyancy aids
Pre journey video group call with follow up.

Great food is essential to all our trips and expeditions are no different. While your mentor will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after what are often long days. We will carry plenty of food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip, and some of these may even be prepared on an open fire. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking.

By Air

Inverness Airport

The nearest airport is Inverness Airport, with regular connections from major UK cities and international hubs.

By Train

Aviemore Station

The closest train station is Aviemore, located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. It is well-connected to cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.

By Road

Flexible Travel

Driving offers the most flexibility and is a great way to explore the Highlands. Aviemore and the River Spey area are easily accessible via well-maintained scenic routes.

Why not turn your expedition into a wider Highland adventure?

Cairngorms National Park – Right on your doorstep, offering stunning landscapes, wildlife, and walking trails
Edinburgh – Around 2.5–3 hours by road, perfect for exploring Scotland’s historic capital
Inverness & Loch Ness – Just under an hour away, ideal for sightseeing and iconic Scottish views
Glasgow – Around 3–3.5 hours by road, known for its vibrant arts scene, music, and architecture
Isle of Skye – Around 3–4 hours by road, famous for its dramatic landscapes, rugged coastline, and unforgettable views
Nairn – Approx. 45 minutes away, a beautiful seaside town with sandy beaches and relaxing coastal walks
Castles & Forts – Explore historic strongholds and ancient fortifications offering scenic views and rich heritage experiences
Highland villages & distilleries – Discover local culture, heritage, and world-famous whisky along the way.

Travel, Explore, Experience

Many of our participants choose to extend their trip — combining the River Spey journey with time to explore Scotland’s landscapes, culture, and history.

Whether you arrive early or stay a little longer, this is more than an expedition…

It’s your gateway to the Highlands.

Mike Devlin

Mike is an experienced outdoor instructor and paddle sport specialist, with a lifetime of leading and guiding across rivers, mountains, and remote environments worldwide, bringing a wealth of real-world knowledge and adventure to every session.

Suresh Paul

Founder of Equal Adventure and experienced educator, Suresh brings decades of expertise in inclusive adventure, combining innovative design, research, and hands-on leadership to create accessible outdoor experiences for all.

Chris Heaney

As a paddlesport coach and outdoor educator. Chris is known for delivering engaging, real-world learning both in formal education and adventure sport coaching settings. With a strong background paddling on inland waters from Utah to the Zanskar, and coastal waters ranging from North Africa to Greenland. He brings experience, energy, empathy and authenticity to every session and prioritises your needs to ensure you get the most out of every session.

James Dyer

James is an award-winning leadership coach with nearly 30 years of experience leading teams in remote and challenging environments. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a recognised professional with the Institute of Outdoor Learning, he brings valuable real-world insight to his coaching, helping individuals and organisations grow with confidence and purpose.

Andy Hall

Andy brings decades of experience across climbing, kayaking, skiing, and outdoor education. After 20 years as a head teacher at an outdoor cenatre in North Wales, he now splits his time between ski teaching in Italy and guiding across Scotland’s mountains, coasts, and rivers. His adventures have taken him from Arctic river expeditions to Nepal and Patagonia, but his heart remains in the Cairngorms, where he continues to explore and share his passion for the outdoors.

Thank you!

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

(+44) 1479861200

Equal Adventure Developments
The Old Dairy
Grantown on Spey
Morayshire
PH26 3NA
Scotland, UK

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River Spey Descent September 19 - September 23 2026

What is Included

19 September 2026

23 September 2026

4

5

£100

£720

6

6

1:3

An Inclusive Journey Through the Heart of the River Spey

Discover the River Spey with Equal Adventure

A River Shaped by Whisky Heritage

Dynamic Waters, Designed for You

Journey Through Living History

A River of Tradition and Life

A Haven for Wildlife

Adventure, Your Way

Finish with a Moment to Remember

Ready to Paddle with Equal Adventure?

Full Details

Grading, Challenge and Difficulty

Safety and Comfort

Accommodation Description

Key Facts

Ethics and Inclusion

Itinerary

What is Included

Meals

Equipment List

Before and After Your Journey

Booking Guarantee

Our Adventure Promise

How to Get Here / Travel Information

By Air

Inverness Airport

By Train

Aviemore Station

By Road

Flexible Travel

Make the Most of Your Journey

Coaches

Mike Devlin

Suresh Paul

Chris Heaney

James Dyer

Andy Hall

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

Don't Go!