What do you do when you’re up a creek without a paddle? Keep going! That’s the motto of canyoning - a water sport that doesn’t require any kind of boat or board, just grit, determination and a wetsuit. It takes place in a canyon, and the objective is to get downstream in the most enjoyable, practical or direct way possible. A great place to do this is the Scottish region of Perth and Kinross, where streams and rivers cut paths from the highlands to the lowlands. Expect jumps, falls, pools, scrambles and slides in an adventure here which will immerse you in the landscape like no other activity!

This sport is closely related to gorge walking. In fact, there’s no technical distinction, though experiences listed as gorge walking usually involve less immersion in the water than canyoning trips. But with a huge number of gorges, canyons, rivers and streams in Perth and Kinross there's an infinite range of experiences from easy routes where you’ll barely get your feet wet to challenging descents which require nerves of steel as well as technical know-how and a willingness to get soaking wet! Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve put together a guide to help you get the best experience, at the best price.

Where are the best places to go canyoning in Perth and Kinross?

Canyoning tour operators can be found in most of the towns around the Rivers Tay and Tummel in the North of the region. Aberfeldy is the tourism hub of this area, but nearby Kenmore and Grandtully are also good starting points. Further down the River Tay is Dunning, and Logeirait on the River Tummel has a high number of specialist companies. From these towns, you’ll be taken to one of the following locations.

• Loch Tay: This is the largest loch in the region and snakes its way 14 miles down a steep sided valley. There are several routes in the vicinity. One of the most popular is the Keltneyburn Canyon just North of the loch which is a perfect introduction to the sport that combines excitement and beauty, without any really challenging stages. Another popular location is the Falls of Acharn, where you have to abseil 25 metres down a waterfall to complete the route.

• Aberfeldy: This town is on the River Tay and has become a hub for outdoor activities in recent years. You hardly have to leave the town to start this activity if you go to the Birks of Aberfeldy, a thickly wooded gorge that’s popular among walkers but also hides a little known route. This isn’t for the faint of heart, as you’ll have to navigate numerous waterfalls and other obstacles. But the experience is well worth it - and the knowledge that you only have to walk 10 minutes to get to a cosy pub in town afterwards is a great motivator!

• Loch Tummel: Countless streams run off the highlands to feed Loch Tummel, and one of them is great for a descent. This route is reserved for those who’ve experienced canyoning before and know their way around a rope, as there are 14 separate abseil sections, including a mammoth 22m waterfall descent.

• River Garry: River Garry rises in the Cairngorms, so it has to lose a lot of altitude to get to sea level. There are two locations on this river in Perth and Kinross where you can try it. At Calvine, the river passes through a wide gorge where slides and scrambles alternate with clear water pools - perfect for jumping - and people of all levels will be able to find a way down. Downstream, at Killiecrankie, there isn’t so much a route but more of a playground where you can climb to high platforms and plunge into the water below at your own rhythm.

• Bruar Water: This rocky creek is a tributary of the Garry. Local enthusiasts have found three routes on different sections of the river that range from family fun where you can go with the flow, to extreme adventure where the strong currents are an extra challenge alongside the rock formations and steep drops.

• Further afield: Outdoor adventure companies in the county organise excursions to canyons in other parts of Scotland as well as the local spots. Some examples are Berwick Falls to the South, the Dollar Gorge in Stirlingshire and the hair raising challenge of Grey Mare near Fort William.

Requirements to do this activity

With so many rivers in the region around Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, and the fact that their conditions change throughout the year there’s a canyoning experience for everyone who’s ready for a challenge, and happy to get wet. The most accessible route is at Keltneyburn, where some operators will take groups that include children as young as 8 years old. Once children reach 12 years of age, they can enjoy this route, or the canyoning at Acharn, Calvine, and parts of the Bruar.

At the other end of the scale are technically difficult routes, that involve climbing over wet rocks, using ropes to abseil long distances, and fast flowing water. Some parts of the Acharn gorge, the Birks of Aberfeldy and the trickier sections of the Bruar are suitable only for adults who have been doing this sport before, and ideally have experience of water sports and rope work.

How long does it take to complete a descent?

The length of your canyoning experience depends on the route that you’ve chosen. Of course, longer routes need more time, but there are other factors that influence the duration such as difficulty, and whether or not there are sections which can only be completed by one person at a time. A typical descent of one of the easier routes in Perth and Kinross is around 3 hours, but if you’re going to go for a more advanced route, be prepared to spend up to 5 hours in and around the water.

What do you need to bring to an experience?

Although is a sport that prioritises grit and determination over fancy equipment, there are some things that you need to protect you from hurting yourself on the rocks, or getting cold in and around the water. Your tour provider will give you a helmet for the first, a wetsuit for the second, and in many cases a life jacket to keep you afloat in deeper water. You’ll need to wear a swimsuit and t-shirt to go under the wetsuit and a pair of old trainers for your feet. Try to pick some that will give you some traction on wet rocks, avoiding, for example, indoor football trainers. Finally, remember to bring a towel and a set of dry clothes and shoes to put on afterwards - this is essential, especially in the cooler months of the year.

Now you know what’s on offer, you can tell us what you want to do and we’ll get to it.