River Spey - Badenoch and Strathspey to the Moray Firth

The River Spey is one of the classic paddles in Scotland, if not the world.  Explore the sections above for more details.

 General Information

• SCA River Adviser: David Craig, The Beeches, Station Road, Newtonmore. PH20 1AR. Tel. 01540 673826. Mobile 0787 0338110. e-mail
  
• GRADE: II (-III) 
  
• USES: Popular trout and salmon fishing each day during the season (February to September, No salmon fishing on Sunday). 
  
• O.S. Maps: Sheets 35; 36 &28. Also Harveys “Speyside Way” (Waterproof) Map 
  
• SCA Access Advice for Paddlers Leaflet Access Code leaflet
  

A major river that can usually be relied upon to give reasonable water levels at all seasons.  Probably one of the most beautiful rivers in Britain, flowing past the Cairngorms, through Badenoch and Strathspey and into the Moray Firth at Spey Bay.  There is nothing highly technical on the river, however, on sections downstream of Grantown-on-Spey there is a good number of entertaining Grade II rapids.

The river is navigable for most of its length ~ almost from the source at Loch Spey (where the Spey shares a watershed with the turbulent River Roy).   A major hazard occurring just above Laggan Bridge is the Spey Dam, which like the River Roy steals the Spey's waters and takes them westward (this time to help power an aluminium smelter).  However, much water and a lot of portage are normally required to make these higher reaches navigable.  Although Laggan Bridge is a fairly good access point, Newtonmore is normally recognised as the highest reasonable starting place.   Roads run close to the river throughout its length.

At all times whilst enjoying this wonderful river, please in return:

• Park, launch and land with care and consideration at all locations.
• Leave absolutely no litter. If you brought it in, then please, you take it out - and, if practical, that left by other previous less caring, less responsible persons.
• On departure from any camping site no evidence should remain of your being there. Perhaps only the odd temporarily flattened blade of grass. Good guidance is contained in the SCA environment pages.
• Any fires should be lit only in a safe location, well away from trees and other flammable vegetation/structures, ideally on a stone/shingle base (dry riverbed ideal). Once extinguished, no evidence of the fire should remain.
• If ‘wild toiletting’, please do so with utmost of consideration for others and the environment.
• Whilst gaining statutory, responsible access as per the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, respect the activities of other river users. Follow the Paddlers' Access Code.

Contributed by Dave Craig, River Adviser