Paddling the Tay

I got a chance to get out on the river yesterday with two very good friends Craig and Dani and their dog Less. We decided to head to Kinclaven Bridge and paddle from the Bridge over the River Isla to Burnmouth Ferry on the River Tay. A total distance of about 4km.

I decided on a change of craft and took a Manta Ray 12 Angler. This was a great boat for this trip. Stable and comfortable and very easy to paddle. The start of the trip is easy on the River Isla. Flat and gives you a great chance to get used to your boat.


As you travel down onto the Tay there are some easy rapids to negotiate. The final two rapids are ones to take with care. Campsie Linn has some strange water to tackle. There are easy rocks to get out and have a look before you go down it.


This section is very heavily fished and it is worthwhile noting that before you head down. Click here for a map of the Cargill Fishing Beat.


We saw some great wildlife on the way down the river. We saw a Heron and a Buzzard. We saw several fish rising always just out of reach of the fisherman. The highlight for me was seeing an Otter just above Campsie Linn.



We got hit with a major rain shower just around Campsie Linn but it was warm enough to not be too worried about it. This section is fantastic if you wish to go on your first moving water trip with your new open canoe or sit on top. Just be aware this would be a very different trip in high water. We got a good low to mid river levels.

A wet finish to the trip. See you on the water.