A week of kayaking and Canoeing from Loch Tay to Perth Race course

Team Andy, Rachel, Tony, James.

Equipment, old town Canoe, Pyraha Fusion and TG Master

Monday Loch Tay to Aberfeldy

We packed up and made it look that no one had stayed at this spot and then back onto the Loch and headed to Kenmore, just before we came into site of the village we could feel the undercurrent from the Loch, this made it hard going and slowed us down , it a great feel to see the site of Crannog the Iron age hut that was stared on Time team, We kayaked around it and even stopped and popped into the little shop.

Next stop Kenmore, we beached up and made a brew. We then planed our next route to Aberfeldy Campsite. As we approached River Tay we went under the Kenmore bridge and head down the river, we had only been on the river for a half hour when we approached a iron walking bridge that lead to Kenmore castle, we looked at the horizon and saw there was a big drop in the river and we could hear the rapids, which according to our book were small, but on inspection Andy in the canoe had now realized that he was to heavy in the canoe to run the rapids. It was time to stop and plan what we had to done next. The plan we came up with was for Andy and Rachel to Porto back to Kenmore with the canoe. Where he was lucky to get a lift to the campsite at Killin and pick up my car and drive back to Kenmore, pick up the canoe and Rachel and head to Aberfeldy campsite.

Me and James checked the rapids which where a grade 2-3 and ran the them, after the Loch it was good to get on some rapids, Me and James arrived at Aberfeldy about 4pm but then found that we had a problem with getting off the river and onto the campsite because of steep sides.

We found an exit point at the very tip of the camp site right on the road, but we still had to use our throw lines to pull the kayaks up onto the road, we were then helped by this chap from the campsite who helped us to pull the kayaks and all the equipment onto the site.

We had just pitched our tent when to our great relief Andy and Rachel turn up with my car and there equipment and canoe.
The campsite is well worth a stop, very friendly and clean, Aberfeldy is a lovely little town with plenty of shops to stock up on. That night we went out for a meal and ended up at a place called Fountain pub, the meal we had was very good and excellent value for your money.

In the pub we made a plan of action that we had to spend Tuesday doing a complete recec of the River Tay down to the campsite at Perth as we could not trust our guide book. That night the heavens just opened up and once again bad mistake on buying a cheap Halfords tent, James had sleep in the car where as I had to enjoy two little river running down the side of me in the tent.

Tuesday recec day
We had breakfast and a slow start; we then headed for Grandtuly rapids 4 miles from Aberfeldy.

Great rapids we could see that I and James could run them but not the canoe also Rachel didn’t like the sight of them and who could blame her. We made a note of an exit point, portage the kayaks and canoe passes the rapids.

We then followed the river as best we could by car and headed for Dunkeld. We found where we could get off the river and found a great 4 star camp site which had a river next to it which meant that we could use it to get back onto the River. We booked the campsite and the warden was willing to let us leave Andy car on the site.
We then move on trying to follow the river to Standley which was a problem because the road only crossed the river once, We head for a place called Capsie Linn ( OS Explorer map 379 grid 12,5 33,9) this is a fantastic place to camp, so we made note that this would our Thursday night stop.

We then went through Stanley (OS Explorer map 379 grid 10, 9 33, 1) we wanted to check out the rapids here but could find how to.
We then head to the camp site at Perth and booked for Friday night. We then headed back to Aberfeldy and get ready for Wednesday. That night it back to Fountain Pub and once again had a great meal.

Wednesday Aberfeldy to Dunkeld

We first did the run around with cars, drive down to Dunkeld, leave Andy car at the campsite at Dunkeld and the drive back with me in the Skoda back to Aberfeldy.
The camp warden showed us where it was easy to get back onto the RiverTay, me and James got onto the river first and waited for Andy and Rachel who had now down sized on the equipment, but as we waited for them I had forgotten about the past two night of heavy rain and the strong current had court me out and I went under a fallen Tree lucky for ne as I went under the partly submerged tree a branch caught my skirt and pulled it off the fusion which I then fell out under water, by this time James tried to rescue me and got caught with flow of the river and went under as well . With minutes of being in the river we were drying off and starting a fresh.

Once we all got going it was a short time when were on some rapids (not in the guide book) we checked them out. James was first to run them he then became the safety man with throw line, then me and then Andy, nice little rapids, shortly after that we came upon Grantully Rapids.

We did not run these because our wind had been knock out of us because what had happened at Aberfeldy. After that it was straight run to Dunkeld with wonderful views.

Where we stopped at Dunkeld not far from the bridge, Andy walked to campsite and pick up his car and transported us and the canoe and kayaks to the campsite. Once at the campsite we did the run around with the cars. On the way back we made sure that we had 4 big fat juicy Scottish steaks, we sat out in the lovely evening sun enjoying our steak with yet another box of red wine.

Thursday Dunkeld to campsie Lin
Once we had done the run around with the cars, leavening Andy’s at Capsie Lin, At the camp site we had a little crowd to see us off, we set off on the RiverBraan which was next to the camp site and easy to get back onto River Tay.

This was a straight long run down to Capsie Lin, it was possible just let the flow of the river to take us. No rapids on this stretch.

The weather was by now hot and sunny, hats and shades where needed. Once again it was the going under the bridges that told us where we were on the map.

At about 4pm we arrived at Capsie Lin, some very good white water as the River Tay has to go through a gap in the rock formation, the area itself is outstanding beauty.
We set up camp for the night but on close inspection of the area we notice that others had not been so kind to the area, we found out later , the locals from Perth would come up on weekend and leave their burnt tents, cans of larger and bottles of spirits all over the place, So we spent some time tidying the area up and burning as much rubbish we could find. The tins and bottles we bag up and put in the back of the car at the car park.

Once again we settle down for the night with a beautiful view from our tents.

Friday Capsie Lin to Perth Race course
Once we cleared up and did the run around with the cars, (one car left at Scone Camp site next to Race Course.) We had read the guide book and it said there was grade 2 to grade 3 rapids. As we kayaked down these rapids was not as bad as the guide made out, one weir which was fun to run.

Andy and Rachel had no problem with the rapids, once passed the it was plain kayaking and canoeing all the way to Perth Race Course, I even used the Fusion flip top seat to support my back.

Once again by 4pm we came upon the race course, me and Andy then walked about half mile to the camp site and once again did the run around to collect the cars and then drove down the side of the race course to collect the canoe and kayak and then on to the camp site at Scone.

This was now the end of our week long journey on the River Tay and what a great week it had been. If you only like white water, well their only a few spots for that but if you like just been on water well this is a great run for you.

All it was left to do now was sort out our gear and with it been a lovely evening to dry out the equipment, But was not long when I found out that the Camp site had power showers so it was a mad dash to get a shower and to take our muscle pains away, best thing about the campsite. We had an evening meal at a local pub which was very nice.

If you are going to Scotland eat out, the food is of the highest standard a very good value for your money