136km across, 350m up, 35h moving 3 days to cross Scotland

It has been something that both of us have wanted to do, Kinlochleven on the west coast to Perth on the east by canoe.



The starting line in Kinlochleven at 9m above sea level

We started from Kinlochleven Friday morning with a 8km climb up to the Blackwater reservoir at 350m.  This was up a really stoney path which made dragging the canoe very difficult. 

Jamie lugging the boat up the first long portage up to Blackwater res.

At the top looking over Kinlochleven

We made good time up to the dam and started on the Blackwater reservioir.  The wind was blowing due west so we sailed most of the way and managed to get a bit of lunch down us on the move. 

At the top of the lake we had to drag/float the boat up the river blackwater which had a fair amout of water in making it slightly easyer. 

Draging, tracking, paddling up the River Blackwater to the watershed.

At the top of the watershed, one of the toughest seaction sarted.  We had the drag the boat  3km down to Loch Eigheach accross bog and very difficult terain though the pooring rain.  By the time we reached camp 1 at 2200h we were both exaused and drenched.

Dragging the boat 3km accros the water shed through horrible bog.

Day 2 started with a quick paddle accros Loch Eigheach to the reservoir at the top of the River Gaur.  We got on below the dam to paddle the first section of challening whitewater of the trip.  We portaged the grade 4 on the Gaur and got back on below.  This quickly followed by a very undignified capsize.  This drenched most of our kit as the 'dry' bags didn't quite live up to their name.

Next was Loch Rannoch.  This was the longest Loch of the trip (15km) and again the wind was kind, blowing us most of the way, sometimes surfing the waves as well.  At some points the wind was so strong that we were close to capsizing which would be very bad being 1km from land.

Canoe sailing with our awesome groupshelter/spinnaker.

The next stages contained some beauliful small rivers and Loch Dunalastair which twisted and turned past Shehalion until the dam at the top of the Tummel.  We decided to portage the Upper Tummel on the road just to save time, so 6km later we arrived at the Bridge of Tummel to have dinner and get on to Loch Tummel.  Again the wind was kind to us so we sailed most of the way past some amazing houses and sceenery. 

Paddling padt Kinloch Rannoch with amazing views of Schiehallion.

We reached Clunie dam at 2200h so it was very dark.  We knew there was a great campsite 4km down the road so portaged the boat through the night beside the Middle Tummel with headtorches.  We reached camp 2 at 0000h after 14 hours on the move.  We were both drained so erected the tent up and went straight to bed.

Jamie padding accors Loch Tummel as the light faided.

The final day was going to be huge, 50km to cover of straight paddling; accors Loch Fascaly, down the lower Tummel then down the Tay to Perth.  After an interesting portage round the Pitlochery dam, we paddle constantly for the whole day.  Eating lunch on the go at Dunkeld, only stopping once to rescue a swimming WWRer.  We encountered amazing wildlife throughout the whole trip with the diving osprey being the highlight.

The long slog down the Tay to Perth.

At 1900h we reached the slipway at Perth and climbed out of the boat for the last time.  After 136km ,350m elevation, 35h moving , we had crossed Scotland and undertaken an unforgettable trip!

Over the watershed - canoeing across Scotland from Jamie Adam on Vimeo.

Here is our video diary of the trip exited by Jamie.

Cheers Jamie for all the support and encouragement.  I look forward to our next trip...