River Spey Canoe, Kayak & SUP Hire
A 2-hour self-guided paddle from Broomhill Bridge back to our centre.
Book 2 hr River Spey Hire Multi-Day expeditition supportA 2-hour journey down the River Spey
This isn't equipment that you collect and take away, and it isn't a paddle around a pond or loch.
You'll be paddling a specific section of the River Spey, starting at Broomhill Bridge and finishing downstream at the Cairngorms Activities Centre near Grantown-on-Spey.
Meet us at the centre, where we'll get you prepared with your chosen craft, paddles, buoyancy aids and dry bags. We'll then transport you and your equipment upstream to Broomhill Bridge.
Our team will help you get onto the river and you'll then make your own way downstream, following the River Spey all the way back to our centre.
Allow around 2 hours on the river for the journey from Broomhill Bridge back to the centre.
How your River Spey hire works
We've taken care of the transport – you just need to paddle back!
Meet at our centre
Park at Cairngorms Activities near Grantown-on-Spey and check in with our team.
Get prepared
We'll get your boats, paddles, buoyancy aids and dry bags ready and run through the river journey with you.
Shuttle upstream
We transport you and your equipment to the start point at Broomhill Bridge.
Paddle back
Paddle downstream on the River Spey for around 2 hours and finish right back at our centre.
This is a self-guided river journey
The River Spey is moving water, so this hire is for people with some previous paddling experience.
This section is generally Grade 1, with flowing water, small ripples and easy rapids. Natural river features such as gravel banks, branches and changing channels mean you need to be able to control your chosen craft and make sensible decisions on the water.
Minimum age 12. Under-18s must paddle under parental supervision.
New to paddling? See our guided trips
Choose your craft
Whichever option you choose, you'll complete the same Broomhill Bridge to Cairngorms Activities river journey.
Sit-on-top Kayaks
Our most popular hire option.
Stable, straightforward and manoeuvrable, our double sit-on-top kayaks are a great choice for most people with some previous paddling experience.
- Double sit-on-top kayaks
- Simple and responsive to paddle
- Easy to get back onto after a capsize
- Great for pairs
- Expect wet feet and plenty of splashes!
Open Canoes
For paddlers with previous canoe experience.
The classic way to journey down the Spey. Canoes offer plenty of space but require more steering skill and understanding of moving water.
- 2–3 paddlers per canoe
- Plenty of room for bags and packed lunches
- Basic canoe steering skills required
- Good river awareness needed
- You should know how to deal with a swamped or capsized canoe
SUPs
For experienced river paddlers only.
Paddleboarding the Spey is a fantastic challenge, but you'll need good balance, river awareness and confident self-rescue skills.
- Most physically demanding option
- Previous SUP experience required
- Experience on shallow moving water recommended
- You must be comfortable self-rescuing
- SUP hire must be booked by phone
Not sure which craft to choose? For most hire customers, our double sit-on-top kayaks are the simplest option.
Everything you need for the journey
Meet us at the centre and we'll take care of the equipment and transport to the river.
- Your chosen canoe, double sit-on-top kayak or SUP
- Paddles and buoyancy aids
- Dry bags for phones, cameras, snacks and spare layers
- River journey information and map
- Transport from our centre to Broomhill Bridge
- Help getting prepared and onto the river
- Approx. 2-hour self-guided journey back to the centre
- Parking, toilets and changing facilities at our centre
You don't need to transport the boats yourself. Your vehicle stays at our centre ready for when you paddle back.
£42 Per Person
Over 12's Only
May – September / Winter on demand
2.5 hours
River Spey Hire FAQs
Everything you need to know before your self-guided River Spey journey.
Where does the trip start and finish?
Meet at Cairngorms Activities near Grantown-on-Spey. We'll prepare your equipment and transport you and your craft upstream to Broomhill Bridge.
From there you paddle downstream on the River Spey and finish back at our centre, where your vehicle is waiting.
Is this hire on a pond or loch?
No. This is a self-guided journey on the River Spey. You'll paddle a specific stretch of river from Broomhill Bridge downstream to our centre.
Do we collect the boats and take them away?
No. Meet us at the centre and we'll transport both you and the equipment to the start of your journey. You then paddle the equipment back to us.
How long is the hire?
Allow approximately 2 hours on the river to paddle from Broomhill Bridge back to Cairngorms Activities.
What is the River Spey like?
This section of the Spey is generally Grade 1. It includes flowing water, small ripples and easy rapids as well as natural river features.
It is moving water rather than flat water, so active steering and good awareness are important.
Do I need previous paddling experience?
Yes. This is a self-guided river hire, so at least some members of your group should have previous paddling experience and be comfortable controlling your chosen craft.
If you're new to paddling, take a look at our guided River Spey trips .
What should I bring?
Wear quick-drying clothing and suitable footwear that you don't mind getting wet. Bring warm layers, a waterproof, a full change of clothes, a towel and any personal medication.
Can we bring food?
Yes. You're welcome to bring snacks or a packed lunch. We provide dry bags for your belongings.
What happens if river conditions aren't suitable?
We monitor river levels and weather conditions. If we don't consider conditions suitable for self-guided hire, we won't run the session.
We'll contact you to discuss alternatives, another date or a refund.
Can we combine this with another activity?
Yes. You can combine your River Spey journey with activities such as archery or bushcraft at our centre.
Get in touch and we can help you plan your day.