The River Spey Charity Open Canoe Trip
W BRO JOHN MARSHALL – Hudson Lodge No. 2791
The Spey descends through some of Scotland’s most outstanding natural scenery – rising in the Monadhliath Mountains at Loch Spey, just 10 miles south of Fort Augustus on Loch Ness – and journeying north east through the Cairngorms National Park and onwards to the Moray Firth 107 Miles east.
The Spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it gets closer to the sea. The unique topography make it the fastest flowing river in Scotland. The Met Office monitors rainfall throughout the Spey’s catchment. Much of the precipitation during winter lies as snow, playing an important role in maintaining the river’s flow levels well into summer and give the Spey what many describe as an alpine flow regime. Combined with almost no industrial activity in the Spey’s catchment, the water quality is as near to pristine as you can get.
Speyside’s distilleries produce more whisky than any other region in Scotland. Two of the best-selling single malt whiskies in the world, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, are from Speyside.
River Spey from Aviemore to the coast through more than 60 miles of stunning countryside. Camping over night in the banks of Loch Insh checking we have all the gear we need for the 4 day trip. An early start too the day paddling down through the loch heading for Aviemore. These upper reaches are Slow moving flat water where your paddle provides all the speed .
Passing through Aviemore on our left we dig in heading for Boat of Garten. If the wind is in our favour we may push on towards Grandtown on Spey stopping for our over night Camp along the way.
After a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast to set us up for the day ahead we set out heading first for the Speybridge. Onward towards Cromdale and Tormore hoping to make Knockando for the next Camp and hoping to catch a local delicacy which would warm our hearts.
The river from here is starting to flow faster and your attention sharpens as it gathers pace. Stopping for some lunch around Aberlour or Craigellachie. After the rest we push on for Fochabers to set up camp.
The Spey now has some testing waters where many have had swims and broken dreams. The Spey washing Machine has claimed many and many more to come but not ME !
I am doing this for charity so please try to support me in this endeavour.
26th May 2018 to 30th May 2018