Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Bother? What "bother" is that then? This is Scotland we're talking about and
we don't have an access problem!

Loch Lubnaig and Loch Ard. Loch Tay and Loch Earn. No probs there.

Pop across to Perth and do the Tay from Stanley to Thistlebrigg. Minor probs
at Stanley but you'll be within your legal rights.

If the Leny is low, its relativly gentle (ex the Falls of course). The Teith
from Callander down to the take out which is by the Quarry entrance and just
below the last rapids would also fit your criteria very well.

Dumfries - paddle Loch Ken. Also consider the Nith - especially the
Drumlanrig Bridge to Thornhill section or on to the bridge at Auldgirth. If
you want to play on the Caul at Dumfries you'll find DKC there most Tuesdays
about 6.30ish.

Border Esk is gentle-ish - one nasty droppy bit.

Have fun - Mike.


Ewan Scott wrote in message
om...
Going home to Callander and later to Dumfries next week. I'd intended
taking boats with us and doing some paddling but after checking out
the access pages on the Scotish Canoe Union site it looks like an
awful lot of bother.

We might well do some on Loch Lubnaig, but wouldn't mind trying some
gentler stretches of river Grade 1/2, or somewhere where we could
play about below falls in relative safety. ie running the Leny is not
an option.

Ewan Scott

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Bother ?

Your avin a larf!

As for the lenny at the moment, your being a real joker.

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Mike Buckley wrote:

Pop across to Perth and do the Tay from Stanley to Thistlebrigg. Minor probs
at Stanley but you'll be within your legal rights.

But why not go from Islamouth? no probs at all with access from the
field by the bridge at the bottom of the Meikleour Beech Hedge (it's
okay to park there, just close the gate), and it makes it an actual trip
rather than a brief hack...

You'll need to set up a road-ferry, of course, but it's in reasonable
cycle range if you don't have two cars between you.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Broooz wrote in message
...
-
Likewise I would probably steer clear of the Nith depending on your
experience as there are grade 3 stretches there - - - -

Indeed. Above Drumlanrig Bridge. The lower sections are a flat touring run.

Mike.

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

"Broooz" wrote in message ...
"Mike Buckley" wrote in message
...
If the Leny is low, its relativly gentle (ex the Falls of course).

I agree with most of Mike's suggestions but steer clear of Leny as there are
stretches of grade 3 and 4. If you are very experienced you can avoid these
but my interpretation of what you have said suggests more caution so I would
avoid the river if you are interested in grade 1-2. If you are fairly
confident then the Leny below the falls is OK and that runs into Callander.
The Teith just below the Leny is your best bet in that area although it can
be hard work at low levels - this is an excellent river for introducing
people to whitewater. Watch the take-out for theft in cars - best to leave
all valuables at Callander.

The Teith sounds the best bet. I wouldn't dream of tackling the Leny
anyway. We are looking for more of a gentle paddle than a real
whitewater experience.


Likewise I would probably steer clear of the Nith depending on your
experience as there are grade 3 stretches there although it is a very nice
river. I am not sure about the Border Esk but I thought it needed a lot
more rain than we've had.

If were in Dumfries on Tuesday we would probably go play in the Caul
where there were others around to help us out if we got in trouble.


Other stretches of water worth considering are the Tweed (several good
introductory sections with grade 1-2)and also the Tay below where Mike
mentioned from Thistlebrigg down to Perth (mostly grade 1). Whitewater
enthusiasts probably have never done this.

Thanks for the comment.

Ewan Scott

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Hmmm - I've paddled the Leny many times over many years and NEVER had any
problems. Likewise Loch Lubnaig - although there I did once have a
discussion with a "keeper" type who attempted to stop me paddling. Being
both aware of my legal rights and fairly forthright in dealing with
officialdom, I paddled that day and have done so since.

However, as you clearly have a depth of greater knowledge and
more-up-to-date understanding of the specific area (its maybe 6 months since
I was on the Leny), can you share. That would be most helpful and I'm sure
that Ewan would find it helpful.

Many thanks.


LittleBoyLuke wrote in message
...
Bother ?

Your avin a larf!

As for the lenny at the moment, your being a real joker.

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

The Teith sounds the best bet. I wouldn't dream of tackling the Leny
anyway. We are looking for more of a gentle paddle than a real
whitewater experience.

Teith is very pretty - launch at the car park in town. Your only problem
will be the amount of time spent punting off the bottom. Paddle Loch Ard as
well - lovely way to spend an afternoon / evening.


If were in Dumfries on Tuesday we would probably go play in the Caul
where there were others around to help us out if we got in trouble.

Launch upstream a bit and you'll have a nice wee paddle down to the Caul.
Run it by the fish ladder - no probs. Were I not constrained by having an
exam that evening, I'd come and say hi.

Other stretches of water worth considering are the Tweed (several good
introductory sections with grade 1-2)and also the Tay below where Mike
mentioned from Thistlebrigg down to Perth (mostly grade 1). Whitewater
enthusiasts probably have never done this.

Thanks for the comment.

If you want to drift along serenely, that section of Tay has much to
recommend it. Launch at Thistlebrigg - take out at North Inch in Perth,
above the first bridge (the one to Bridgend).

Mike.

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

"Mike Buckley" wrote in message
...
Hmmm - I've paddled the Leny many times over many years and NEVER had any
problems.

I take your point Mike but I think you may well have the experience to avoid
the difficulties. You also know when it is too high to be safe - the Leny
rises fairly quickly if there is heavy rainfall. But as a river to
recommend to someone who is looking for a grade I or II this must be a
complete no. It is possible to die on the falls if you miss the take out
beforehand. So definitely not for someone on their first trip without an
experienced guide and for me that means at least with the ability if not the
qualification of level 4 coach.

Gentle Paddling in Scotland.
 

Crikey Mike, you start off with a very well reasoned post and then chuck
in the Leny!

I've done the Leny fairly low and it's helluva rocky, with the water
levels we have now I doubt if there would be what I would even consider
a river. Even if it was barely trickling it's going to be harder than
grade 1/2, but for the main I just wouldn't even consider it unless it
rains, when it is definitely harder (I'm being realistic about what I
consider an easy fun run here).

To be honest I can't think of much that would suit you, the Tay
obviously has plenty of stretches (Grandtully might just be too much for
you but all the rest should be fine at summer levels) And the only place
where access is at all contested is at Stanley, and I've only ever met
the protagonist once in all my trips there, and even then he doesn't
have a right to prevent you getting on, and as has been stated there are
alternative get ons if you want a longer trip. I don't know what
gear/experience you have but Grantully is usually busy through the
summer and if there isn't a race on you might feel safe enough playing
on it and getting tips from other people - only problem may be that not
all slalom paddlers have a high tolerance of people learning to paddle
where they are training :-(

I've only done the Teith quite high and I found it tedious, (OK it''s
not my style of river but...) I would think it would be a bump and
scrape nightmare at summer levels - but I don't know.

There must be some paddling on the Forth but I've only ever heard of one
ill-planned trip where the stretch turned out to be considerably further
than expected, that was a scout trip I think so if you plan a decent
length section it should be alright :-)

Other than those I don't think there are any rivers worth doing near
Callander, although there are of course plenty of Lochs.

Personally I'd bring mountain bikes and go exploring the Trossachs / QE
Forest etc. Don't bother asking for information about trails, they only
tell you about fire roads (which are boring), for singletrack just take
a map, compass and a healthy respect for any walkers you meet and do it.
It's kind of a shame that the Forestry people haven't developed some
decent singletrack in the Trossachs, many other forests have well
developed routes but apart from Glentress the Trossachs seems to have
the most mountain bikers, and the least routes!

I reckon Mike's covered Dumfries pretty well, except to say that sea
touring on the Solway Firth seems pretty good if you have suitable boats
/ weather - I don't know if you have the experience for that? Of course
I can't believe the lower Nith will have any water (except very close to
Dumfries), the gorge may have enough water but that's not the
recommended bit :-)

Good luck

JIM

Mike Buckley wrote:

Bother? What "bother" is that then? This is Scotland we're talking about and
we don't have an access problem!

Loch Lubnaig and Loch Ard. Loch Tay and Loch Earn. No probs there.

Pop across to Perth and do the Tay from Stanley to Thistlebrigg. Minor probs
at Stanley but you'll be within your legal rights.

If the Leny is low, its relativly gentle (ex the Falls of course). The Teith
from Callander down to the take out which is by the Quarry entrance and just
below the last rapids would also fit your criteria very well.

Dumfries - paddle Loch Ken. Also consider the Nith - especially the
Drumlanrig Bridge to Thornhill section or on to the bridge at Auldgirth. If
you want to play on the Caul at Dumfries you'll find DKC there most Tuesdays
about 6.30ish.

Border Esk is gentle-ish - one nasty droppy bit.

Have fun - Mike.


Ewan Scott wrote in message
om...

Going home to Callander and later to Dumfries next week. I'd intended
taking boats with us and doing some paddling but after checking out
the access pages on the Scotish Canoe Union site it looks like an
awful lot of bother.

We might well do some on Loch Lubnaig, but wouldn't mind trying some
gentler stretches of river Grade 1/2, or somewhere where we could
play about below falls in relative safety. ie running the Leny is not
an option.

Ewan Scott