Blackwater Egress Point at Netherton Bridge.

About 20 years ago the SCA installed signs just below Netherton Bridge to help paddlers find the best egress point.  Over the years the old signs had fallen down, so earlier this year the SCA installed 3 new signs.  The SCA has also worked with the landowner to create a flight of steps at the egress point.

Without signs in place a number of paddlers have been getting out immediately after the bridge and scrabbling up a steep bank to get to the orchard and the gate onto the road.  A sign at this point now indicates that the Egress Point is a further 60 metres downstream.  Run another small rapid and an easier point to land is marked on the left bank with a couple of signs saying Egress Point.  Take out here, climb up the steps and once you reach the wall at the back of the orchard turn left and follow the wall to the gate out onto the road.

River Ericht

WARNING - Damage to Keathbank Weir

Keathbank Weir, upstream of Cargill's Leap, suffered structural damage in high water at the end of October, so paddlers on the stretch of the Ericht running down to Blairgowrie should beware of this weir because it is now very different to the way it used to be.  Inspection of the weir would be advised before running it.  However, please be warned that where the weir has been washed away it has exposed some old nails and bolts that had been buried beneath the concrete.  The SCA River Adviser has posted a sign near the access point. 

Paddlers heading to the River Ericht upstream of Blairgowrie will find themselves on an unfamiliar piece of the A93.  A new section of road has been opened in order to by-pass the temporary Bailey bridge that had become a permanent feature of the road between Blairgowrie and Bridge of Cally.  The consequence for paddlers is that the new road is further from the river and does not include the section running past the lay-by above the access point.  However, the SCA has been in negotiations with the local farmer and the Roads Department and we have been able to retain use of the old road (from the northern end) for paddlers to continue parking close to the access point.  The northern entrance to the old road has been gated, but the gate is unlocked and paddlers are allowed to use the old road for vehicular access and parking.

A blue SCA sign is on the gate reminding paddlers to close the gate.  Please always close this gate behind you on your way in and out.

The SCA River Adviser for the Ericht and Blackwater is Mary Conacher, who can be contacted on 01828 632 168.

RIVER LYON, PERTHSHIRE – PASS OF LYON

The SCA has been in discussion with the landowners in Glen Lyon concerning paddling on the difficult and narrow section of the River Lyon, the 3 kilometre stretch known as the ‘Pass of Lyon’, so that both kayakers and anglers can enjoy their respective sports.  There is also a vehicle parking problem in the glen, which the SCA and the landowners would like to solve.

This is an unusual piece of river, in that as well as providing a very beautiful and challenging kayaking experience, the narrow gorge is also fished.  Furthermore, there is some evidence that despite a good description of the river in ‘Scottish White Water’, some groups have underestimated the difficulties with potentially fatal results.

The Glen Lyon riparian owners are creating parking at both the start and finish of this stretch.  The ‘put-in’ is where it has been for years, at the picnic site at NN703471, easily seen as one drives up the glen, and where the river broadens out.  The egress is at Artrasgairt Cottages access track, NN729473. In time, the fence will be moved back to provide parking for 2-3 vehicles.  This spot is on your right as you drive up the glen, just before the long bend to the left where the river is obviously emerging from the gorge.

The Grade 6 section of the river in the vicinity of Macgregor’s Leap should be inspected prior to attempting a passage.  Access for this is easy to gain by climbing over the fence near to the passing space.  This also allows an opportunity to see if other people are using the river and to speak to them.  All paddlers are strongly advised to inspect this piece of river, to get an impression of the river level and ascertain difficulties before they paddle.  The river is not suitable for novices or large groups, because of the difficulty of being able to see all members of a group.

At low levels, below 0.8m on the SEPA gauge at Comrie Bridge (786487), the river is fished for much of the year.  The fishing season on the Lyon is from 15th January to 15th October.  Please look out for all other river users, and communicate with them. P addlers should attempt to speak to anglers before they go on the water or as they come across them on the way down.  Some of the fishing takes place in pools below the rapids, so it is sometimes possible to speak to anglers when you are out of your boats inspecting the rapid.  Please keep an eye out for them as you paddle this stretch of the river.  And, remember that the river is not fished on Sundays.

At low levels, the river is Grade 3 plus, rising to a good Grade 4, and then Grade 5 in flood.  At high levels, the Lyon is an extremely difficult river.  One particularly narrow section of the river is classed as Grade 6 and is usually portaged.

Last updated 13/09/07

Grandtully

The car parking area in the field at Edradynate, at the top of the Grandtully white water course, has been reinstated. The SCA is grateful to the Edradynate Estate for allowing canoeists to use this field.

Paddlers are asked to park at the bottom of the field only and in the left hand corner.  The track across the field will be improved later in the year.  In the meantime we ask that you only park at the bottom of the field.  If your vehicle isn't able to get up and down the slope in the field then don't park at the top of the field.  If you have doubts about getting up and down the slope then please park elsewhere until the track is improved.  Most vehicles should be able to cope with the slope, but those in small cars may have concerns.

The agreement that we have reached for parking in the field is that parking is only for SCA & BCU members.  Please leave your SCA or BCU membership card on display on your dashboard whilst you are away from your vehicle.

Irresponsible behaviour by a minority of people using the field last year led to the loss of this parking facility for 3 months over the winter.  Please use the field responsibly and don't abuse the privilege that has been extended to all of our members.

Please help us to achieve this by acting sensibly and responsibly, and by following the guidance in our "Paddlers' Access Code".

Dunkeld - new access point

The Atholl Arms Hotel, clearly visible on the corner as you cross the bridge at Dunkeld from the A9 side, is now an official ‘canoeist-friendly’ hotel.

It has access up the bank just on the downstream side of the bridge into their car park, which canoeists can use for free. If there is no room in the car park, let the hotel know, and they will open the garage for safe storage of any equipment. Other parking is available nearby.

An SCA access sign was placed here in mid-March, and is clearly visible, and the access was used for the Tummel and Tay tour on March 18th. Progression Bikes is also here, as the hotel wishes to be as helpful and friendly as possible to outdoor activities.

The hotel details are on www.athollarmshotel.com , e-mail enquiries@athollarmshotel.com, and phone no. is 01350 727219.The hotel offers storage room for canoes, drying facilities, and will give a 10% discount on meals to those showing an SCA (or CE, CW or CANI) membership card.

For the Tay Descent week in October, the hotel will offer twin and double rooms for B. and B. at £37.50/person per. night, on the membership conditions above.

Stanley

Burnmouth Car Park

The Burnmouth car park on the Lower Tay at Stanley is now open for use by the public.  It will, however, be closed during September and early October for the final 6 weeks of the salmon angling season.  It should be noted that the car park is open as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the landowner and could be closed again at any time if anyone abuses the car park in any way.  Please respect this and do what you can to leave the parking area in at least as tidy a state as you found it.  If you do see any bad behaviour from other member's of the public then please report it to the SCA by sending an e-mail to us.

Lower Tay

Isla Bridge

The SCA car park at Isla Bridge is no longer available for our use.  The farmer is changing the use of the field, so parking in the field will no longer be possible.  The nearest parking place is the lay-by beside the road at the start of the beech hedge.   Boats can be carried from there to the river.  This was a great car parking area for paddlers and we are sorry to announce that we will no longer be able to use it.