Paddling report – River Tay, 5th September 2024

Following the success of two previous ‘water’ events, on Arran and Derwentwater, the club decided to organise something closer to home and with a river trip in mind were soon in contact with Piotr at Outdoor Explore, based in Blairgowrie & Rattray.

Piotr reassured the club that a paddling trip could be tailored to suit a very mixed ability group and a river trip was agreed for the 5th September. There was an enthusiastic take up by the members and a total of fourteen met on the banks of the Tay close to the Birnam Oak to start their adventure.

Following a thorough safety briefing members were introduced to their craft. These varied from single kayaks to Canadian canoes, the latter lashed together in pairs to provide maximum stability. BDHC members taking part varied in experience from complete novices to very experienced canoeists.

On the day river conditions and the weather were perfect for such a trip, blue skies and sunshine with the water level a wee bit higher than normal to ensure little chance of contact with the stoney river bottom.

The start was a little chaotic as folk familiarised themselves with the correct paddling technique, all under the professional eyes of Piotr and Jamie. For the most part physical work was minimal as the gentle current took the craft southward. There were three areas of ‘bumpy’ water and these required concentration to ensure that the paddlers maintained the correct heading.

Piotr proved to be a masterful guide and shared his considerable knowledge of the River Tay, local geology and history as well as describing the wildlife that the group might see along the way. In the event otters and osprey failed to appear but the group was treated to a good variety of water birds on shingle spits and including huge numbers of Canada geese that seemed totally un-phased by all the activity on the water.

Waves were exchanged with fishermen who were seen at various points along the way, not normally seen were quite a number of very posh looking fisherman chalets close to the river bank, one resplendent with a clipped privet hedge. Close to the start the group passed the house where Beatrix Potter spent many holidays in her younger years, where she found inspiration to write some of her best-known tales.

Lunch was enjoyed above a small beach at the side of the Inchtuthil Roman camp close to Spittalfield.

The group was on the water for around three and a half hours, the last section was along the stretch of river north of its confluence with the River Isla. It was from this stretch that Georgina Ballantine caught her record breaking 64lb salmon in 1922.

The group had to paddle hard as they turned into the Isla to finish their adventure at the point where the A93 bridge crossed the river.