Royal Dee Canoe Expedition

Paddle the iconic Scottish River Dee aka The Royal Dee starting near the Linn of Dee and paddling down to Aberdeen

Level: Grade 1-2-3 Four day canoe journey

TBC - Contact us to join the waiting list or for a private group booking
10 to 12 customers
£649

Duration: 4 days

The Royal (Scottish Dee) is a another bucket list River in Britain's stable of Best Rivers passing Balmoral with a plenty of meaty rapids and white water to earn your canoeing spurs.

Options: Contact us for a Private Scottish Dee Trip or to join our 2028 Dee trip

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Dry Bag
Paddles
Helmet
Professional Coaches
Water
Cooking Kit
Your Campsite
Guiding
Food and Meals
Activity Equipment

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Tipi Tent
Hire of Drysuits

Secure a place with £100 (non refundable) deposit and our instalment payment option.

Dates & Requirements

Dates TBC - ask us about a private trip or add you name to the waiting list

Scottish River Dee Canoe Expedition - 4 Days of Stunning Scenery and Wilderness Adventures

If you are part of a group, or club that would like to make a private booking for our expedition destinations then please drop us a line.

Join us for an incredible four -day canoe journey along the iconic River Dee from the Braemar through the winding highlands, past Balmoral Royal Residence and on down to Aberdeen. There is wildlife galore and stunning rapids and beautiful scenery.

Day 1 will include the vehicle shuttle and paddling from Braemar to Crathie, we will see Braemar Castle and Balmoral / Invercauld Estate. The banks are home to the largest Red deer population in the UK. Grade 1 and 2 rapids allow paddlers to get into their stride.

Day 2 after a wild camp in the Highlands we are heading to Ballater, more fun rapids similar to paddling the our Spey trips.

Day 3 More rapids as we paddle towards Aboyne

Day 4 onwards past Invercannie with more rapids to enjoy, great food and wild camping

Throughout the trip, our qualified coaches will help you refine your canoeing techniques, from trim and edge to dynamic forward paddling. Whether you’re practising white water canoeing skills or simply enjoying the peaceful moments, the River Dee has something for everyone.

There are bigger Rapids at Invercauld, Dinnet, Potarch and Invercannie which offer white water paddling long the route. Rapids can be run or lined (trad skills) or portaged in most cases. Participants can develop their white water skills with expert tuition along the way.

Evenings will be spent wild camping on riverbanks, islands, and hidden spots, where we’ll enjoy free-range evening meals cooked over the campfire, share stories, and relax under the stars with our wilderness guides. Calum, our Centre Manager lived in Braemar and cut his teeth paddling the River Dee in kayaks and canoes.

What’s included

Expert tuition from professional, experienced guides who have led expeditions worldwide
Breakfast and evening meals on the river
Canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids, cags, trousers, helmets, drybags, and all essential safety equipment
Drysuit hire available (first-come, first-served – we have plenty in stock

What to bring

Personal kit and clothing
Sleeping bag and roll mat
Cup, bowl, cutlery, and a knife and fork

Who is this trip for

Adventurers – anyone keen to explore Scotland’s wilderness by canoe.
Beginner–intermediate paddlers – some experience is required and comfortable paddling rapids in a laden craft
Skill builders – perfect for developing moving water and boat handling techniques.
Moderate fitness levels – comparable to a 6–7 hour hill walk with a light pack.
Outdoor enthusiasts – enjoy wild camping, campfires, and spotting local wildlife.

Bid farewell to new friends after an unforgettable adventure – until the next one!

If you are part of a group, family or club that would like to make a private booking for our expedition destinations then please drop us a line.

Contact us to book a tailored or private group booking for this trip which featured in the Great British Paddling Adventures Book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the booking process work?

During the season our hire of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs, and paddle and camp trips are scheduled for customers to book via an automated schedule. Typically Kempston base is open throughout the season 7 days a week whereas Bedford is usually weekends or holidays. At the time of booking you will need to enter medical information, any special requirements and sizes into the booking forms. You will also need to provide contact details and emergency contact details as a contingency. Depending on what you are doing (e.g. camping, expeds, etc), you can book optional extras such as wood (you need to bring your own otherwise), water, grills, tipis and luggage service, or if you're on an exped you can hire hire drysuits. Once you have booked and your information is captured by the system, you will receive an automated email including a QR code and parking information to help you arrive in good time for your booking and get checked in. See our Terms & Conditions - www.canoetrail.co.uk/terms-and-conditions

Are estimated durations for the trips accurate?

We have operated on this river for many years and have built up experience of how long it takes people to paddle each route. Our times allow the average time and we have graded all of our trips to further help you choose the right one for you (Slow, Medium, or Hard). Even our Hard trips will be easily achievable for those who are relatively fit and paddle at a steady rate. Please note if you think that you will not make the pick-up time, please call us immediately as you may have to be picked up at a later time.

How fit do I need to be?

You don’t need to be super fit to paddle, but a bit of stamina helps, especially around locks. Our 1-hour and half-day hires don’t include any locks, so there’s very little lifting. Full-day hires usually involve at least one, where you’ll need to move your craft a short distance on land (they do make great picnic spots though!). All of our routes for hire are considered 'Grade 0' meaning they're a great choice for beginners and we’ll give you plenty of tips before you head out. If you’re unsure, just give us a call. For expeditions then we often use the analogy of walking in the hills for a day with a light rucksack, its not lung busting effort but it does require up to 6-7 hours paddling in the great outdoors. We can provide guidance for customers on building Paddlefit endurance ahead of bigger trips.

Is there a weight limit for paddlers and equipment?

Generally there is a craft for everyone whatever their weight. Our instructors will try and match you to the best craft for you. Kayaks have a closed cockpit where your legs sit inside the kayak so the cockpit size is the critical element. We have several cockpits on certain craft that are larger and some craft are more stable than offers. Sit on Tops, double and single are more stable than conventional sit in kayaks. In some instances for taller and larger humans we have also provided one of our double kayaks for them to paddle solo to feel more comfortable. Similarly we have a range of canoe sizes from 15ft with 2 seats to 16ft with 2 or 3 seats and 17ft with 2 or 3 seats. The longer canoes are wider and more stable. With stand up paddle boards we have a range of boards that are thicker and wider which will be easier for bigger people. If you are unsure about the best craft for you then please do ask.

Do you take photographs?

We aim to take pictures at the start of your trip and post these to our social media for your ease of access. If you take pictures of your paddling trip please tag them with #canoetrail, @canoetrails (Twitter/Instagram/TikTok), Canoe Trail on Facebook/Trip Adviser.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Participants should be confident in and around water although they do not need to be swimmers. We will provide all safety briefings and equipment for the day, including a buoyancy aid for all paddlers.

What are the best canoe and kayak expeditions for a beginner?

The best expeditions for canoe and kayak are ones that allow you to safely develop white water skills and progress without jumping in at the deep end. For example if you have been paddling on flat water then try paddling something at the lower grades such as Grade 1 and Grade 2 as opposed to something more technical. It is often hard to learn new skills when completing longer journeys and or wild camping. Tackling trips and expeditions with professional guides and coaches helps speed up the learning process (learning curve) and achieve the journey safely, learning in bite sized chunks. Canoe Trail selects a range of expeditions to help paddlers progress from novice to more intermediate skills where our canoe and kayak coaches provide white water coaching, campcraft and support to act as the 'hand rail' for our customers. Examples of great intro trips for beginners are the Norfolk Broads and Stour Paddling Trips, The Jurassic Sea Kayak Expedition and the River Tweed Canoe Expedition. Intermediate trips include the River Spey and River Tay and Best of Wales Paddling Trips.

What level of experience do I need for a canoe or kayak expedition?

The majority of our expeditions require no experience of paddling white water and training is provided on and during the course, trip or expedition. Our professional white water coaches and guides have led novice paddlers down many big rivers and wilderness areas in canoe or kayak. Customers with limited experience have joined us for bucket list trips such as canoeing the Yukon River, our Jurassic Sea Kayak Expedition, Algonquin Canoe Expedition, Best of Wales canoe and kayak expedition and many more. Learning new skills such as reading the rapids, breaking in and breaking out and hitting eddies is taught on the expeditions. You can always give us a call to discuss fitness, any concerns and paddling skills before or after you have booked. We provide a zoom or whats app call ahead of our expeditions to familiarize yourselves with the team, logistcis and plans. Many customers jump on one of our intro to white water courses in canoe or kayak at Bedford or Matlock to learn how to paddle rapids before their trips but this is not mandatory.

What sort of food do we eat on expedition?

At heart the Canoe Trail team are foodies and we are used to providing high quality cordon blu cooking on the trail and in the wilderness. We are also used to dealing with food intolerances and allergies but obviously need to know in advance of any special requirements. Depending on the expedition (UK or overseas, wilderness or easy access) will depend on the level of catering provided. From experience on some trips we know that customers prefer to self cater whereas on our Canadian and Finland Trips for example we provide breakfasts and evening meals. Our food for these expeditions is aimed at powering the team for the day of paddling ahead with snacks and nibbles, and often a sweet treat. We pride ourselves on our menus often conjuring up recipes that you would cook at home. For example

Can I do a SUP expedition?

Yes we do offer SUP trips and expeditions. You can paddle without guides (free range) down to our woodland campsite for a paddle and camp trip (This trip was voted top 52 things to do in the world by Lonely Plane and voted Top 3 destinations for a SUP micro adventure by Red Bull Magazine). We can also organise many of our current trips and expeditions as SUP trips for private groups including the Jurassic Coadt, Norfolk Broads, River Stour and even the Great Glen Canoe Trail. We would need to discuss