Take Part

Any paddle on the river between 23rd July and 31st October counts! When you enter the event, you’ll get all the information you need, to help make your Tay 21 experience a success. Then all you need to do is:

1. Choose your craft 

Any craft counts - canoe, kayak, SUP, coracle, WWR, sea kayak - pick one or pick them all! 

2. Choose your paddling buddies

Paddle with a friend, family, a small group from your club or scouting group. You’re welcome to paddle with anyone you want, all we ask is that you keep group sizes compliant with Covid Guidance.

3. Choose your route

From Loch Tay at Kenmore to Perth, the Tay flows for roughly 50 miles. The river then becomes tidal continuing to the mouth of the Tay Estuary, east of Dundee. You can choose to cover as much or as little of this, whenever you like!

Whether that’s an hours’ pootle on a calm section or the river, a run (or three) on Grandtully rapids; or the challenge of a full descent, any route counts! Choose to split the whole descent over a weekend, or do a small section again and again, as many times as you like until the end of October - why not set yourself a goal and see what you can achieve?! 

4. Enjoy your paddle and WIN! 

As a Tay21 entrant, each time you paddle on the Tay you can enter our competition to win some awesome prizes. All will soon be revealed, but along with prizes for the best images and videos, expect categories such as the most days paddled on the Tay, and the furthest distance travelled to take part.

A little extra support - receive a £25 discount on a guided trip with selected Delivery Partners. 

If you have the enthusiasm and want to get involved but are unsure, then look no further: you’ll be able to access a qualified guide via selected Delivery Partners at a reduced rate to help you achieve your Tay 21 goal.

Perhaps you don’t have the necessary experience or skills, or maybe after lockdown you’re a bit rusty and would like a little confidence boost, whatever the reason, you can hire a guide and then relax in the knowledge that they will keep you right. There is not going to be a mass start or a safety team on standby, so Tay 21 paddlers should be appropriately experienced and self-sufficient; if you are in any doubt then a guide is the way to go! (more details below)

What do I get when I enter?

• Tay 21 goody bag - packed with goodies worth £30!
• Access to Tay 21 participants area packed with information about paddling on the Tay
• £25 discount on a  guided trip with a selected Delivery Partner
• Support webinars
• Access to our Tay 21 Facebook group, connecting with others and sharing experiences
• Community support through the Tay 21 Facebook group
• Entry into our competition to win some Awesome prizes

How to enter

Entry costs £5 for SCA / other National Association members, and £7.50 for non-members. There is also a free option for those who can do without a goody bag and the guided trips discount.

Entries are open now, click on the button below, receive immediate access to the support information and start planning your Tay 21!

Delivery Partner Discount Scheme

Paid entry to the Tay 21 entitles each participant to a discount of £25 on guided trips on the River Tay provided by selected Delivery Partners. To take advantage of this offer, participants:

• receive a unique discount code on entering the Tay 21
• Contact one of the participating Delivery Partners quoting Tay 21 and unique discount code
• Book a session directly with the Delivery Partner
• Ts and cs apply

The following Delivery Partners are accepting the Tay 21 discount:

About the river

The Tay is the longest river in Scotland, and the seventh-longest in the UK. It is the largest volume river in the UK, and originates on Ben Lui, flowing through the Highlands, to Loch Tay and then continues all the way through Perth, where it becomes tidal, continuing to the mouth of the Tay Estuary, east of Dundee. All of the river is flowing and there is a major rapid section from Campsie Linn to Thistlebrig, where the standard reaches or approaches Grade 3. 

The Tay is arguably the most scenic river in Scotland, and is a perfect site for nature spotting. The river is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation. Eagle-eyed paddlers can spot oyster catchers, buzzards, osprey, herons, deer, and if you’re lucky maybe even beavers and otters! For history buffs, River Tay and surrounding areas has lots to offer too - from Crannogs (ancient loch-dwellings) to Europe's oldest tree, there is much to explore.

Event Partners

Tay 21 is supported by EventScotland as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21, and the Your Tay, Your Adventure programme.

In 2021, Scotland continues to celebrate its coasts and waters with a programme of activities and events which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape. From our beautiful natural features including coasts, lochs and rivers to our industrial heritage such as our canals, mills, and the creation of our national drink – whisky, Scotland’s coasts and waters have shaped our culture, our stories and our way of life.

Event Supporters

Thanks to these organisations for supporting the Tay 21.