River Spey Canoe, Kayak & SUP Hire

A fantastic adventure in the Cairngorms!

Plan your adventure! Request winter session! Outfitting Service
Price

ÂŁ42 Per Person
Over 12's Only

Dates

May – September / Winter on demand

Duration

2.5 hours

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Choose the craft that suits your adventure

All three options follow the same beautiful stretch of the River Spey back to our centre.


Sit-on-top kayak on the River Spey

Sit-on-top Kayaks

Best for: most hire customers – our easiest and most popular option.

Stable, simple to use and easy to get back onto if you fall in. Sit-on-top kayaks are ideal for normal hire bookings and suit most adults and older children with basic paddling confidence.


  • Double sit-on-top kayaks
  • Most straightforward craft for the River Spey
  • Responsive and manoeuvrable, great for pairs
  • Expect splashes and a wet bum and feet
Open canoe on the River Spey

Open Canoes

Best for: paddlers with some canoe experience who want a classic river journey.

Open canoes are stable and spacious, but on a flowing river like the Spey they suit those who have paddled canoes before and are comfortable managing the boat in gentle moving water.


  • 2–3 paddlers per boat
  • Plenty of space for bags and packed lunches
  • Requires basic steering skills and river awareness
  • You should understand how to deal with a swamped or capsized canoe
Stand up paddleboarding on the River Spey

SUPs

Best for: experienced river paddlers only.

Stand-up paddleboarding on the Spey is for confident, experienced paddlers. You will get wet, and strong balance, river awareness and self-rescue skills are essential.


  • Most physically demanding option
  • Previous SUP experience on shallow and gentle moving water required
  • Comfortable self-rescuing in current if you fall in
  • SUP hire must be booked by phone – not online

Not sure which to choose? For most paddlers, our sit-on-top kayaks are the safest and simplest way to enjoy the River Spey.

Canoe, Kayak & SUP Hire on The River Spey

Whether you’re seeking the tranquility of a calm river paddle or the thrill of navigating the gentle flowing currents, our hire service offers an unforgettable experience. This is a self-guided trip, so it’s best suited to paddlers with some previous experience in a canoe, kayak or on a SUP.

Suitable for adults in groups of at least 4 people, you’ll be provided with all the kit you need for a safe and enjoyable paddle. A member of our team will drop you at the banks of the river and help get you underway. After a few hours you’ll arrive back at the centre.


Over 12s only, who must take part under parental supervision.

We can run extra sessions at a time to suit you. If you can’t easily find the date you’re after please contact us and we will be happy to help.

If you’d prefer an instructor on the water with you, take a look at our guided River Spey canoe trips.

A family enjoying a canoeing session with Cairngorm Activities

What's Included?

  • Introduction to the equipment and initial kitting up
  • Approx. 2.5 hour rental to complete your journey along the River Spey back to the Cairngorms Activities centre
  • Use of easy-to-paddle 2 seater canoes, double sit-on-top kayaks or SUPs
  • Dry bags & equipment for you to carry your snacks, phones & cameras
  • Map of the river to follow
  • Toilets, changing facilities and parking available on-site for arrivals and return

We also offer an Open Canoe Outfitting service for groups in the Highlands. If you’re visiting with paddlers, we can help with equipment.


A group enjoying a canoe hire on the River Spey with Cairngorm Activities

Ready to hire your craft on the River Spey?

Confident paddler and happy to go self-guided? Hire a canoe, kayak or SUP and float back to our centre along a stunning stretch of the River Spey.


Book River Spey hire Prefer a guided trip? Plan a bespoke adventure

River Spey Hire – FAQs

Everything you need to know before heading out on a self-guided paddle.


Where are you based and where do we paddle?

We’re based near Grantown-on-Spey at the Cairngorms Activities centre. Your hire starts upstream and finishes back at our site, so there’s no need to organise your own shuttle or transport.

What is the River Spey like?

This stretch of the River Spey is classed as Grade 1. That means it’s generally straightforward, but it is still a moving river rather than flat water.

You’ll encounter gentle flowing sections, small ripples and easy rapids, along with natural features such as branches, gravel banks and river edges. Active steering and good awareness are important throughout the journey.

What do I need to bring?

Wear quick-drying clothing you don’t mind getting wet, along with warm layers and a waterproof if the weather is changeable. Bring a full change of clothes, a towel, and any personal medication you may need.

Can we take food and stop along the way?

Yes — you’re very welcome to bring a packed lunch or snacks. We provide dry bags so you can keep everything safe and dry.

There are plenty of suitable riverbank spots where you can pull in, take a break and enjoy the surroundings before continuing downstream.

Do I need previous paddling experience?

Yes — this is a self-guided hire, so it’s best that at least some members of your group have previous paddling experience and are comfortable controlling a craft on moving water.

If you’re unsure or new to paddling, we’d recommend our guided River Spey canoe trips, where an instructor is on the water with you.

What happens if river levels are too high?

We closely monitor river levels on the Spey. If levels rise beyond what we consider suitable for safe hire, we won’t run the session.

In this case, we’ll contact you as early as possible to offer an alternative date, a guided option, or a refund.

What if the weather is too bad?

Typical Highland weather such as light rain or cooler temperatures usually isn’t a problem. However, strong winds, poor visibility or more extreme conditions can affect safety.

If conditions aren’t suitable, we’ll be in touch to discuss rescheduling, switching activities, or issuing a refund.

Can we combine River Spey hire with another activity?

Yes — many groups combine a River Spey hire with another activity on site, such as archery, bushcraft or time relaxing by the water.

If you’d like to build a full day or multi-day visit, get in touch and we’ll help you plan something that works well together.


Video Library

Watch some handy videos about our River Spey Canoeing activity.



Your River Spey Canoeing questions, answered

In this video, we'll answer all of your burning River Spey Canoeing questions.

How to prepare for your water activity

Want to know what to wear and what to bring? Watch this video!