Why Scotland?

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom (UK) and as such for mainland UK there are three countries.  England, Wales and Scotland. 
Scotland has a significant attribute that the other two countries do not have.  Access.  Specifically, far better access to the countryside than England and Wales.  As a result Scotland is a Mecca for those wanting to come for hassle free boating. 
Arguably, Scotland has the most spectacular scenery, compared to the other countries.  Driving through Glen Coe either on a warm day or a misty winter evening captures the imagination.  Whether you travel East, West, North or South in Scotland and at any time of year the scenery is truly breathtaking. 
Scotland also boasts, arguably, the biggest white water run in the UK.  The river Spean, near Fort William, is truly a fabulous paddle, not for the fainthearted though. 
Whisky.  Have I mentioned that we produce Whisky?  As you drive around the various areas of Scotland distilleries become apparent.  Subtle difference in flavour and taste are found within different areas. 

Visit Scotland
Historic Scotland
Scotland

Terminology:

When it comes to kayaking or canoeing in Scotland, or the UK for that matter, the term ‘canoeing’ is more widely referred to as a generic term of reference.  Also, folks might say, wanna go boating or lets meet up and boat.  Essentially it’s a term to go out and paddle. 

Access:

As mentioned Scotland is unique from the rest of the UK, this includes access.  For those that like to know their Legislation, The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave the outdoor community much more than just access to inland water, for boaters.  The three key principles for responsible access are:

• Respect the interests of other people: be considerate, respect privacy and livelihoods, and the needs of those enjoying the outdoors.
• Care for the Environment: look after the places you visit and enjoy. Care for wildlife and historic sites.
• Take responsibility for your own actions: the outdoors cannot be made risk-free for people exercising access rights; land managers should act with care for people’s safety

The Act has been in force now for some time and as a result there is ongoing pressure for similar Legislation to be adopted for England and Wales.  However, this is proving to be more difficult. 

In short, the Act has provided a statutory right for access to most land and inland water.  There is currently a book entitled Scottish White Water, which is on the 2nd edition.  It boasts some 290 runs on 231 rivers.  ISBN number 0-9547061-1-0.
Complementing the book is a web site entitled Where's The Water.  Funnily enough it provides an on line water level monitoring guide, that can give you a quick update of where the water is in Scotland. 

When to come:

The vast majority of Scottish rivers rely on rainfall or snowmelt to bring them up.  Statistically the wettest days are around October, November and December.  However, as you come later in the year the days become darker around November time.  Also the weather and temperatures get a lot colder.  To those ends I would recommend coming mid October.  Statistically, there is still a lot of rainfall, it’s a wee bitty warmer and the nights are starting to darken with summer time coming to an end. 

Sea or inland boating:

I dunno!  What do you want to do?  Scotland has tremendous sea kayaking and fabulous inland waters.  Inland kayaking can be flat water on Lochs or there are great classic runs on some easy touring rivers taking your tent and camping.  Or for those thrill seekers there are more difficult rivers.

Grading / difficulty:

Typically rivers are graded 1 through to 6.  1 being flat moving water, no obstructions or technical difficulties.  Whereas a grade 6 river is hazardous to life or deemed unrunnable!  As with all good advice it is strongly advised that you always check the rapid before you paddle it.  More so for those that are steeper or blind corners.

Where to stay:

Tents:

As mentioned you can wild camp if you choose.  However, during the summer months as pleasant as it may seem there is a real menace that will drive you insane!  The Scottish Midge is a very small biting creature.  They don’t come one at a time.  They’ll come in their hundreds and drive you up the wall.  Personally I cannot stand them and will not wild camp during the summer months.  If you want to camp in a camp site there are many scattered around the country.  Costs can be £10 - £15 per person per night. 

Scottish Camping Guide

Bunkhouse:

One of my favourites!  Bunkhouses for me are the way to go travelling around Scotland.  They are generally warm, clean and offer basic facilities.

Scottish Hostel
Station Lodge

Youth Hostel:

The Scottish Youth Hostel Association has some 70 Scottish Hostels including purpose-built premises, historic buildings and country cottages and island locations.  Handy for the sea kayaker.  Youth Hostels come in at a variety of prices.  If you're careful and shop about for the price of a youth hostel you can get a twin room in a hotel and almost be just as cheap with far better facilities at hand. 

SYHA
YHA

Bed and Breakfast / Hotel:

If you have got the money then go for some of the many bed and breakfasts or hotels through out the country.  Loads to choose from. 

Bed and Breakfast
Scottish Hotels

Travel:

Airports.  There are a number of airports in Scotland.  Coming from America you’re likely to land at Glasgow or Edinburgh.  Be careful when you go to Glasgow airport.  There are two.  Glasgow airport and Glasgow Prestwick airport.  People get them confused! 
At the airports you’ll find various car rentals to hire a car.  They are very unlikely to come with roof racks, so watch what you hire.  Estate cars can fold down seats and possibly fit two kayaks in them, depending on the size of the car and kayaks. 
From any of these airports if you are travelling to Fort William, allow three hours for the drive.  Fort William, arguably, is the heart of inland white water kayaking for Scotland!  From there many rivers can be reached in a short drive and those such as the Orchy or Etive in around 45 minutes. 

Rivers, Lochs and Sea:

Rivers in Scotland are traditionally narrow in nature and a typical throw rope will reach most swimmers from the bank.  That said rivers like the Tay and Spey are the wider river where it’ll take more than one throw rope to reach a swimmer.  The river Tay is Scotlands longest river at 120 miles long.
In Scotland the term to describe any large, enclosed expanse of water, including areas coming in from the sea, is Loch.  However, there are some referred to Lakes.  Lake of Menteith being the only natural one and a couple of man made Lakes.  Lochs such as Loch Lomond and Loch Ness are fabulous to paddle and are very rewarding.  Taking a sea kayak on Loch Lomond and island hopping on the many island there are on the Loch.  Loch Lomond is Scotland largest Loch (in terms of area) at 27.5 miles2.  The West coast of Scotland offers some exquisite sea kayaking.  From coastal paddling to island hopping and wild camping it is truly the way to go. 

Safety:

Travelling in and around Scotland is safe.  However, city life is the same in any big city.  The police are not normally armed.  Only when there is an imminent threat or if you’re in and out of the airports are you likely top see armed police.  Gun crime in Scotland is very scarce.  The vast majority of folks are only too pleased to help you out if your stuck or looking for help. 
If you find your self in an emergency, life and death, not running out of fuel in your car, the emergency services can be called by dialling 999.  Dialling 999 will get you access to the Fire Service, Police, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue (and they will assist kayakers) and other emergency services required. 
For safety on the river, sea or lochs you should always have the appropriate training and equipment for the normal mishaps. 

Weather:

Scottish weather can be very temperamental, more so for those sea kayaking or paddling on the Lochs.  The wind has caused a lot of accidents where those that have not anticipated strong winds or have taken into account of the forecast have come to grief!  Please take into account of the weather before you go and paddle. 

BBC Weather

Traditions and history:

Haggis; is made up of sheep’s stomach, heart and lungs of lamb, beef trimmings, onion, oatmeal and a dash of salt and pepper.  It is truly a meal to savour and damn tasty.  Haggis, neeps and tatties is the dish to have whilst you’re in Scotland at least once.  Trust me, it’s good!

The Battle of Culloden 1745, near Inverness. The last battle to be fought on mainland Britain saw the Jacobite Army, under Prince Charles Edward Stuart, take on the British Government Army, under William Duke of Cumberland.  Inverness is a pretty place and Culloden is steeped in history.

Tartan.  After the last Jacobite rising there was an attempt to ban and stamp out the culture of putting on highland clothes including the kilt.  The ban in the form of an Act of Parliament in 1746. 

Whisky dates back to around 1494 where the first record of distilling in Scotland was evident. 
Distilleries are divided into five main areas in Scotland.  Campbeltown, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands and Speyside.  
The five areas have very distinctive flavours and tastes.  Laphroaig and Ardbeg whiskeys have there unique flavour from Islay, where as Highland Park from Orkney in the Highland distillery area.