Paddle Aigas Gorge

We supply:

• tandem open canoe
• a personal buoyancy aid (PFD) and a paddle
• a small dry bag per person (if required)
• approx 3-3.5 hours paddling on the water
• copies of photos taken during the trip

What you need to bring: When paddling, you should expect to be splashed a little from boat spray and drips from the paddle. The weather can also change rapidly out on the water so it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Please bring suitable outdoor clothing to keep you warm for the four-hour trip outdoors in the Scottish Highlands.

Essential Items:

• a waterproof jacket and waterproof over trousers (recommended)
• leggings or outdoor trousers/baselayer/fleece jumper
• a hat/ cap to keep your head warm
• old light footwear/trainers that you don’t mind getting wet at launching/landing

We recommend also bringing along;

• water or juice and a small snack (EH currently due to Covid-19 are NOT supplying drinks and snacks for paddlers)
• any medication you may require
• towel & complete change of clothes for afterward – can be taken or left in your car!
• suntan lotion is also a good call for those sunny days.

Jeans and hiking boats are NOT suitable for paddlesports and canoeing.

Group Size: Max 8x paddlers

Age: This trip is suitable for adults or families (minimum 14-year-old). Under 18’s are required to be accompanied on this trip by an adult.

Distance: Approx. paddling distance 4 miles

Craft: Tandem canoes.

Personal Belongings: Cameras, phones, car keys, and other personal belongings are taken out onto the water at your own risk. If in doubt, please leave these items in your car when out on the water

Meeting Time: 10.00am. Please arrive early to ensure you can get parked ok and are in time for the safety briefing and kit issue.

Parking Location: You can park in the layby on the left just up the hill past the lower entrance to Aigas Power Station. At the Lovat Bridge by Beauly follow the A831 for 3 miles. Follow the road slowly passed the Aigas Power Station entrance, at the top of the hill there is a long layby on the left-hand side. The meeting point is just 100m along the road in the SSE car park. Please take care especially with kids when walking along the side of the fast road.

Google Map link – https://goo.gl/maps/sCz7AXL2drNeyN5Z9

What3Words link – https://what3words.com/winters.timidly.flocking

Finish Time: Approx 1.30-2.00pm

COVID-19 Activity Advice: A number of precautions are being put in place to ensure safety for all attending.

• All participants are attending on the basis they are NOT suffering from any COVID-19 symptoms, have NOT knowingly been in contact with anyone suffering from COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days, and are fit, healthy, and happy to participate.
• Should any booked participant discover they have developed any COVID-19 symptoms, participants are asked to contact Explore Highland by email at the earliest opportunity.
• We ask all participants to respect social distancing to assist in everyone’s safety.
• Social distancing will be maintained throughout the activity whether on land or when out on the water.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitisers will be available for regular application at the start, tea break, and at the end of the paddling day.
• Pre & post-cleaning of all kayaks and kit will be completed to ensure all paddler’s safety.
• Additional safety briefing to explain options for self-rescue and ensuring no sharing of equipment.
• Should the Scottish/UK government change travel restrictions after deposits/balance has been paid, Explore Highland will honour your booking and offer an alternative date/event to attend once restrictions have been lifted.
• Should there be any more best practice advice issued, we will ensure to add to this list to further promote safe paddling for all.