The Best Water Sports Locations in Scotland

Ready to take the plunge? With plenty of stunning lochs, hidden sea caves, rivers and beaches, we have a huge variety of places to try a new water sport.

Whether you’re dipping your toe for the first time with the family, or you’re up for a more challenging water based adventure, there’s plenty of choice to suit people of all ages and abilities. Water sports in Scotland have become a great way to stay fit, enjoy more of the outdoors and see some of the best locations from a new perspective.

From kayaking to wild swimming, paddle boarding to canyoning, there’s a huge amount of great activities across the country for the whole family. As Scotland’s outdoor adventure specialists since 1962, we’ve been helping our customers find their own adventure with excellent outdoor kit and advice for over four decades, and this summer is no different! We’ve invested in some great new products in our water sports ranges and we want to give you our top recommendations for where to go in Scotland for water sports. Whether you need a new wetsuit, or you’re looking to invest in a packable canoe, we’ve all the essentials for any water based weekend away!

Loch Lomond | Paddle Boarding

One of the fastest growing water sports in the world, paddle boarding is an excellent way to explore Scotland’s lochs in a way that’s easy to pick up and great fun for everyone. Although there has been a huge rise in the number of people giving paddle boarding a try over the last couple of years, paddle boarding dates back to the early 1950s where surfers used a single ended paddle to propel themselves out to the surf break.

Now, with a much broader appeal and new developments in lightweight and collapsible paddle boards from brands like the Red Paddle Company, there’s more opportunity to pick up the sport with ease. Loch Lomond itself offers the perfect backdrop for water sports, with the surrounding area home to stunning oak woodland and a huge range of walking and cycling trails.

Loch Lomond itself offers the perfect backdrop for water sports, with the surrounding area home to stunning oak woodland and a huge range of walking and cycling trails. Located just North of Glasgow, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of the best places in the country to spend a summer weekend in gorgeous natural surroundings and with so many places to visit, it could be the perfect gateway to your first water sports and outdoor adventure. Find out more about how you can hire a wide range of water sports equipment from our Glasgow Outdoor Experience Store by visiting the Hire Section of our website.

Aberfeldy | White Water Rafting

If you enjoy more adrenaline fuelled water sport adventures, we’d recommend giving white water rafting a try this summer! Scotland’s longest river, the River Tay in Perthshire is the perfect place to take to the rapids for something new. From flat and scenic grade one sections, to grade five high adrenaline and risky routes along the rapids, you’ll be in for a great experience from start to end.

We’d recommend going with a specific rafting company, to ensure your safety throughout and to provide you with any equipment that you might need. With half day rafting experiences available from Splash! in Aberfeldy, from as little as £45 per adult and £30 per child. Available all year round, this is a great option for those who want a new challenge or a couple of hours of exciting fun.

If you want to make a trip of it, why not spend the weekend in the Perthshire town and head out to visit Castle Menzies as well? Please note, this is only available for those over the age of eight due to insurance and safety. If this is your chosen adventure for this summer, make sure you capture some photos to share with us using #MyTiso.

Isle of Tiree | Surfing

Catch a wave and embrace the great outdoors with a surfing trip to the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. If you can put up with some rural tranquillity, you might benefit from a visit to what national newspapers have called the Hawaii of the North.

Tiree sits as the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides, and with an area of just 7,834 hectares and a population of less than seven hundred, it’s the perfect surfers’ paradise getaway that’s a stone’s throw from the Isle of Mull and a ferry away from the jewel of the west coast, Oban. Surfing on the island is a fantastic experience, with beaches facing every direction, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to paddling out on your board.

Don’t let the fear of cold water put you off either, with a well-insulated wetsuit, you’ll stay nice and warm as you pick up the skills. If you need an experienced helping-hand, why not get in touch with Wild Diamond or Blackhouse Watersports who’ll be able to provide tuition on the island. Ready to get out into the waves? Shop Surfing Gear & Wetsuits from Orca

Loch Laggan | Canyoning

Canyoning or Gorge Walking as it is known in England and Wales is all about exploring steep river systems by jumping, climbing, abseiling and sliding. If you’re for pure action while getting closer to nature then this is the activity for you! If it’s family adventure that you’re looking for, or extreme natural water slides, Scotland has some excellent locations for a canyoning trip.

The Canyoning Company, based in Dunkeld offer professionally guided canyoning adventures across the country and founders Ben & George have a wealth of adventure experience under their belts. If you want to try this exciting combination of water and climbing based activities, we’d recommend getting in touch with them before spaces fill up!

Costing £65 per person, and including all your equipment and insurance, this is the best way to try canyoning for a couple of hours. The canyon near Loch Laggan is situated on one of the most beautiful roads between the East & West coasts, and is suitable for everyone, from youth groups to stag parties, families to adventurous couples!