You’ll wild camp in twin share tents in remote and beautiful spots in the mountains and by the riverside. Accommodation is basic but what's lacking in facilities is made up for in peace, wild nature and star-studded skies.

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Wild Camp

You’ll wild camp in twin share tents in remote and beautiful spots in the mountains and by the riverside. Accommodation is basic but what's lacking in facilities is made up for in peace, wild nature and star-studded skies. 

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You'll need some hiking experience under your belt, canoe training is provided but some time on the water would be useful

For breakfast, there'll be cereal, bread, tea and coffee. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a variety of fillings, soup, and some home-baked delights. Dinner will be 3-courses including pate and oatcakes, followed by a pasta or rice dish and some home-baked snacks for the canoeing section. Snacks and drinks will also be available between meals. The food will be a bit more basic for the first night in the hills as you will be carrying everything but once into your canoes, there will be more variety.
Vegetarian, vegan and most dietary requirements can be catered for.

food

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Scotland

scotland

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You’ll meet your host in the car park at the Tesco Metro on Tomnahurich Street in Inverness at 08:30. You will then be transferred by minibus to the Cairngorms. We recommend you arrive the night before to ensure you don't miss your transfer.
Your trip will end in Inverness mid-afternoon. Your host will transfer you to the town centre train station, bus station, or your accommodation in Inverness. It is also easy to get a 25-minute taxi ride to Inverness Airport to catch a flight from late afternoon onwards. Please don't book any onwards travel before 17:00 in case of bad weather and a delayed arrival into Inverness.

Local, certified canoeing and hiking guides

Guides

Accommodation

Meals

To and from Inverness from the start point

Transfers

All your canoeing, camping and safety equipment

Equipment

Local, certified canoeing and hiking guides


To and from Inverness from the start point 

All your canoeing, camping and safety equipment

Meet your host in Inverness and hop in the bus to the Cairngorm ski area, the launchpad of your expedition. Having packed your overnight kit and up laced your boots, you’ll skirt round the Northern Corries, ascending Lurchers Ridge up to the summit of Ben Macdui. Summit bagged, it’s downhill to Loch Etchachan for a quick revitalising dip before heading north along the shores of Loch Avon and onto the head of Strath Nethy where you’ll set up camp for the night.

Mountain lochan Photo by Jake Colling on Unsplash

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Bag the Ben

Day 1

Up early to continue your push north, you’ll hike out from the mountains, through the ancient pines of the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve to the little village of Nethy Bridge. Following a mile or so of quiet lanes, you’ll reach the River Spey where your canoe will be waiting for you. You’ll quickly repack your kit into the canoe before hitting the water and paddling to your first riverside wild camping spot. Time to kick back with a wee dram and do a spot of stargazing from the fireside.

Cairngorm Mountain Map Photo by ali elliott on Unsplash

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From boots to boat

Day 2

After your short introduction to the river yesterday, things ramp up today as you begin to get a feel for the River Spey. Don't worry, there are no big rapids, think of it more as an appetiser for when it starts to get a bit wilder tomorrow. Your guide will fill you in on the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the Spey Valley, whilst flanked by the dramatic backdrop of the North East Highlands.

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scorland

River cruising 

Day 3

A big day today as you progress downriver through the heart of the Speyside whisky region. Having learnt a few skills to help you handle your canoe, you’ll hit the notorious ‘Washing Machine’ section which requires some navigation of low-grade rapids, all part of the fun! There’s still time to soak up the vast wilderness of the Spey though. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and otters, before setting up camp for the night near Craigellachie.

Spey

Into the rapids 

Day 4

After yesterday's action, things will feel a little more relaxed today with the end of the expedition in sight. You’ll follow the meandering river and start to smell the sea air as Spey Bay approaches. This beautiful coastal reserve on the north Scottish coast is home to dolphins year-round - with a stroke of luck they might even be there for your finish line party! After a celebratory drink, it’s time to jump back in the bus to Inverness for your return journey home.

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To the sea!

Day 5

Meet your host in Inverness and hop in the bus to the Cairngorm ski area, the launchpad of your expedition. Having packed your overnight kit and up laced your boots, you’ll skirt round the Northern Corries, ascending Lurchers Ridge up to the summit of Ben Macdui. Summit bagged, it’s downhill to Loch Etchachan for a quick revitalising dip before heading north along the shores of Loch Avon and onto the head of Strath Nethy where you’ll set up camp for the night. 

Up early to continue your push north, you’ll hike out from the mountains, through the ancient pines of the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve to the little village of Nethy Bridge. Following a mile or so of quiet lanes, you’ll reach the River Spey where your canoe will be waiting for you. You’ll quickly repack your kit into the canoe before hitting the water and paddling to your first riverside wild camping spot. Time to kick back with a wee dram and do a spot of stargazing from the fireside. 

After your short introduction to the river yesterday, things ramp up today as you begin to get a feel for the River Spey. Don't worry, there are no big rapids, think of it more as an appetiser for when it starts to get a bit wilder tomorrow. Your guide will fill you in on the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the Spey Valley, whilst flanked by the dramatic backdrop of the North East Highlands. 

A big day today as you progress downriver through the heart of the Speyside whisky region. Having learnt a few skills to help you handle your canoe, you’ll hit the notorious ‘Washing Machine’ section which requires some navigation of low-grade rapids, all part of the fun! There’s still time to soak up the vast wilderness of the Spey though. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and otters, before setting up camp for the night near Craigellachie. 

After yesterday's action, things will feel a little more relaxed today with the end of the expedition in sight. You’ll follow the meandering river and start to smell the sea air as Spey Bay approaches. This beautiful coastal reserve on the north Scottish coast is home to dolphins year-round - with a stroke of luck they might even be there for your finish line party! After a celebratory drink, it’s time to jump back in the bus to Inverness for your return journey home. 


British Pound Sterling

Solo Tent Occupancy

Traverse the Cairngorms National Park and canoe the rapids of the River Spey all the way to the sea

Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland

Trek Lurchers Ridge to the top of Ben Macdui (1309m), the second highest mountain in the UK

Tackle the notorious ‘washing machine’ section as you paddle through the Speyside whisky region, camping on the riverside

Brave the cold waters and wild swim in Loch Etchachan, at over 1000m above sea level

Trek Lurchers Ridge to the top of Ben Macdui (1309m), the second highest mountain in the UK


Tackle the notorious ‘washing machine’ section as you paddle through the Speyside whisky region, camping on the riverside

Brave the cold waters and wild swim in Loch Etchachan, at over 1000m above sea level

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Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland

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Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland

Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

YOUR MONEYIS SAFE

TOTALFLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CANACTUALLY TRUST

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST