The town of Aberfeldy sits on the banks of the fast flowing River Tay, in an area that marks the transition of the Scottish highlands to the coastal lowlands. The zone is characterised by rivers like the Tay, which carry the water which falls as rain and snow on the mountains down to the ocean. As they travel downwards, they carve out valleys and gorges in the landscape, twisting and turning to find the easiest path. The resulting channels don’t have much with their wide, calm, lowland cousins - these rivers are full of splashes, spray, rocks and rapids. If you’re up for the challenge, you can take a ride down one of these natural rollercoasters in an inflatable raft with only a paddle to keep you on course.

There are several rivers that are suitable for rafting within easy reach of Aberfeldy, and others a little further away. White water routes are graded according to difficulty, from 1 (slow and steady) to 6 (impossible for rafting), and there’s a range of grades to choose from here, changing from river to river and season to season. Whether you’re a first time rafter or a white water warrior, you’ll find a rafting adventure to enjoy here.

Where are the best rivers to go rafting in Aberfeldy?

• River Tay: From the largest lake in the region, the Tay flows East past Aberfeldy before turning South to the Firth of Tay. It’s one of the bigger rivers here, meaning that the water level is reliable for year round rafting, and that it never gets too churned up as it descends through the landscape. For that reason, it’s a perfect choice for newcomers to white water rafting, combining excitement with safety and is popular with families. On the calmer stretches, you might be lucky enough to spot beavers, descendants of reintroduced animals that were introduced in 2011.

• River Tummel: This is a tributary of the Tay, crashing down from higher in the mountains and boasting some impressive rapids, especially at the Falls of Tummel. The white water rafting on this river is grade 3,4 or 5 depending on the water lever, so it’s not for the faint of heart. But those who are brave enough to take it on will be rewarded with an adrenaline fuelled ride, and wonderful views to match. Rafting on the Tummel isn’t possible in the Winter.

• River Garry: Draining the Grampian Mountains (part of the Cairngorms National Park), the Garry joins the Tummel at the Pass of Killiecrankie. On the way down it passes through some breathtaking highland scenery, which you’ll have a chance to enjoy because the intermediate level of the route allows you to take your eyes off the rapids from time to time.

• River Braan: This is another intermediate level route, on a river which flows parallel to the Tay before joining it downstream at Dunkeld. The name comes from an old Celtic word for bellow or roar, evidence of the noise of the water crashing over the rocks. In order to raft the Braan, there needs to have been enough rainfall to ensure a navigable watercourse.

• Further afield: From here, you can go on longer excursions to enjoy the rapids that other rivers have to offer. The River Findhorn is further North, beyond the Cairngorms mountains, and is one of the most scenic rivers to travel on in Scotland. The Orchy boasts calm pools, water falls, and river islands which make a rafting trip an ever changing adventure.

What are the options for rafting in Aberfeldy?

- The thing that makes a white water raft different from a boat is that the structure is inflatable. This means that the cushioned sides protect you from rocks, and the whole craft sits high in the water and can travel over shallow sections of rivers - and that’s where you find the rapids. The most typical raft that’s used for tackling the rivers of Aberfeldy is a 6-8 person raft which is great for families and groups, providing stability without compromising on excitement.

- If the large raft feels a bit tame for you, we recommend that you try a personal inflatable raft. You can take a tubing trip down the River Tay, Tummel or Garry, riding in what is essentially a big rubber ring. Or, on the Tay or Tummel, go bugging - similar to tubing but in a raft which is open at the front. With either option you’ll travel faster and feel every rapid more clearly, but bear in mind that you’ll be partially submerged for the whole journey!

Requirements to do this activity

Each of the rivers in Aberfeldy has its own personality and welcomes people of different abilities to take a white water ride. The rapid grading system is very handy for pairing groups with the perfect choice of river. The relatively gentle River Tay is 1-3 on the scale and is suitable for anyone over 8 years old, with some sections even allowing kids as young as 6 years old to have a go. The Tummel, on the other hand, is a different beast and its grade 2-5 rapids are reserved for rafters over 16 years old. The Garry and Braan, which have nothing over grade 4, can be rafted by 12-year-olds and up.

These ages are in reference to rafting; tubing is a bit different. You can go tubing on the Tummel from just 12 years old, and it’s possible for 8 year olds to have this experience on the River Garry. Part of the reason that you can be a bit younger to do tubing is that it’s much easier to get the back on the raft if you fall off.

Whatever river you choose in Aberfeldy, it’s not necessary to be a champion swimmer. Although it helps to be comfortable in and around the water - because you will get wet! - white water is only found in shallow watercourses, and besides you’ll have a life jacket, so it's not a big problem if you fall in!

How long does a descent take?

Exact timings for travelling down these rivers varies according to the group, the raft, and the speed of the water. But when you’re organising your experience, you should think of it as occupying half a day. The route on the Tummel takes about 2 hours to complete, while the Tay, the Garry and the Braan take more like 2.5 or 3 hours, but when you think about the time needed to travel to the starting point, to get ready and then to dry off at the end, you’ll see how you need more time to properly enjoy rafting here. Of course, if you’re going on a trip to the River Findhorn or River Orchy, you’ll spend more time in transit.

Rivers run from the highlands to the sea - can you keep up? Find out by booking a ride today!