If you're looking for an adventure of spray, splashes and speed, Scotland is the place for you. Mountains and valleys funnel rainwater and snow meltwater into narrow gorges where the water turns white. This is where you can enjoy white water rafting, pitching yourself against the forces of nature onboard an inflatable raft armed only with a paddle - will you lose your nerve, or will you become the ruler of the rapids?

And that’s not the only way to enjoy it: why not try constructing your own raft? The definition is that it has to float in water, so you can make a rudimentary version with a variety of different objects, like plastic drums and tubing, wooden poles, and rope to lash it all together. If you choose this experience, the focus is mainly on the teamwork required to build the raft and you won’t be expected to take on the fast flowing rivers! Instead, you’ll put your work to the test on the calmer waters. Whichever option takes your fancy, we’re going to tell you how you can get the most for your time and money, and have an adventure that stays with you forever.

Where are the best places to go rafting in Scotland?

• Perth and Kinross: Although it doesn’t boast the highest peaks, this region is a paradise for white water lovers because it is where the Highlands meet the lowlands and numerous rivers have rapids that will put your nerves to the test. The main ones are the River Tay and the River Tummel which can be rafted at different locations for different levels of intensity. Smaller rivers that are also worth a visit are the River Garry and the River Braan.

• The Cairngorms National Park: A lot of the water that flows down through Perth and Kinross comes from this mountainous park. You can enjoy this sport at the source on the River Spey near Aviemore which has some surprisingly gentle sections longside rapid runs, and the River Findhorn. This is one of the most reliable year-round rivers with numerous routes along its length from the mountains to the Moray Firth.

• The Great Glen: This is one of the defining features of this region - a huge geographical fault line that cuts through the Highlands from east to west. The largest and most famous lake in the region, Loch Ness is here, and it’s connected to a string of lakes up the glen by rivers. Some of these, like the River Oich and River Moriston, are fast flowing and exciting, while a tranquil ride awaits you on the River Ness, which connects Loch Ness to the sea at Inverness.

• Fort William: This town, which sits at the other end of the Great Glen, is a hub for mountaineers tackling the highest mountains in the area. The rain which falls on those mountains has to go somewhere, and you’ll find it crashing down towards the sea in the River Orchy and the River Spean, which has cut an impressive gorge into the highland landscape.

• Glasgow: Just because it’s the biggest city doesn’t mean that you can’t get your activity kicks here. In fact, it’s the only place in the country with an artificial white water facility at Pinkston Watersports where you can ride the rapids to your heart's content throughout the year. But if that’s not exactly what you had in mind, the River Doon in Ayrshire isn’t far away and you can enjoy authentic white water here.

• For raft building: In general, the best places for raft building are lakes, with plenty of space on shore for construction and lots of room on the water for messing around. There are lakes in the Cairngorms that are great for this activity and on the Scottish Borders at Whithaugh Park. But it’s also possible on other bodies of water, so long as they don’t have a strong enough current to carry you away! The Forth and Clyde Canal, which cuts across the Lowlands from Falkirk to Glasgow is a good option, as are sections of the River Spey in the Cairngorms.

Options to live this experience

White water rafting in Scotland means riding over rapids and rough water at hair raining speeds. To keep you afloat, and protect you from rocks or other obstacles, all the rafts are inflatable - but there’s a variety of styles that you can choose from. The classic vessel is the full-size raft which can fit up to 6 or 8 people, paddling desperately on either side to steer. An innovative hybrid between rafts and kayaks is known as a duckie or a hot dog. These let two people ride together, and are controlled with double ended kayak paddles. But you’ll get the biggest thrills by tubing or bugging, which both involve facing the rapids in a kind of rubber ring - the only difference is that when you go bugging, it is open at the front and your feet are constantly in the water.

Protection from obstacles isn’t such a big concern when you go raft building, in fact, part of the fun is watching someone’s handiwork come apart mid voyage, dumping the crew in the cold Scottish water. This is one reason that it’s organised as a group activity, often part of a team building programme. Large groups can be divided up into teams and provided with materials, before competing to see who’s raft has the most success on the water.

Requirements to do this activity

Rivers are constantly changing watercourses. Along their length, at different times of the year, and dependent on weather conditions, the personalities of the rivers varies wildly. The good news is that with so many to choose from, there’s always an option for an adventure. Fast flowing rivers, and trips on individual rafts like tubes and bugs are reserved for people of 16 years of age, but calmer rivers can be perfect for family excursions, with itineraries for children as young as 8 years old in the summer. You don’t have to be a very strong swimmer to get involved, as the activity doesn’t take place in deep water, but be prepared to get wet!

Raft building is a great option for a day out with a youth group, like Scouts or Guides, or a group of adults if you want to take the team from work for a team building challenge with a difference. Some operators in Scotland cater to all ages from 8 and up, whereas others only have the right equipment, including life jackets, for teens or adults.

How long does an experience last?

However careful you are when white water activiting, you’re going to get wet. Combine that with the effort you have to put in to control the raft with a paddle, and this is a high adrenaline activity. If you’re a first timer, you’ll be ready to call it a day after 2 hours, but more experienced thrill seekers can find routes that take 3 hours or more to complete.

Raft building can be organised to fit any schedule, but a common choice is a 2 hour session, which gives everyone time to get involved in the construction process, before you take to the waters of a Scottish lake and find out what your raft is capable of. Shorter sessions of 1 hour can also be organised if you’ve got a busy programme.

Are you a rapid racer or a boat engineer? Let us know and we’ll find the experience for you!