Where to Enjoy Watersports in the Trossachs
Scottish Watersport Venus in The Trossachs
Canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing
call Jack Black, Mobile: 07845209662
Canoe Safaris:- Two day events via Loch
Doine, Loch Voil, River Balvaig, and Loch
Lubnaig. Learn the geology of the area,
see deer, eagles, and other wildlife and
learn about the local culture, Scottish clan
battles, folklore, etc.
Training: (or advice) can be provided for
anyone planning an expedition.
One day trips & half day trips: Bird
watching. Tours by foot or canoe. Outdoor
photography. Bushcraft skills. Shelter
building. Natural navigation.
Navigation courses: Learn navigationby map,
compass, pacing, etc
Water is what made the Trossachs - and the rest of Scotland, with a little help from the mountains! With so much water around, there is ample scope for almost every imaginable watersport in the Trossachs. The rivers rising in this region flow both east and west, to the rivers Tay, Forth and Clyde as the watersheds in the region shed their water in three directions.
The rivers have different natures and offer everything from slow deep peaceful stretches to rapids which test the most advanced canoe or white water rafting enthusiast. Watersports available in the Trossachs include canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and of course fishing.
The Lochs can be small and interesting, or large and exposed. Some have hosts of small islands to explore - some even have the remains of ancient dwellings or strongholds on crannogs.
Please note that fishing is described in the Fishing section.
Outdoor Centres and other watersport facilities in The Trossachs
Trossachs Watersports Killin area and Loch Tay
Killin (R. Lochay & Loch Tay)
Canoes may be hired from the outdoor centre in Killin and the River Lochay provides a quiet route to Loch Tay and the islands.
Boats may be hired at Milton Morenish and for the adventurous, white water rafting is available from Kenmore and Aberfeldy.
Killin Outdoor Canoe hire Provides Canoe hire and canoes / kayak to purchase within a few yards of access to the river.
Crianlarich canoe route
Classic canoe route for 70 miles down the Dochart / Tay valley starting at Crianlarich. Canoeing the river from Crianlarich (access via a stile behind BenMore Lodge Hotel). Total possible route about 70 miles with exit at Perth (North Inch). Portages at Corriechaorach, Dochart Falls, possibly Grandtully and Stanley (Thistle Brig). Classic section is Loch Tay - 17 miles with fabulous scenery north and south
There is a watersport centre at "Legend sailing" which is based at Milton Morenish some 3 miles east of Killin on the A827. (www.legendsailing.co.uk)
Trossachs Watersports at Loch Ard
Kinlochard, near Aberfoyle
Go-Country Outdoor activity and adventure centre
This is an outdoor activities centre based at Kinlochard near Aberfoyle. Go Country, provide a full range of outdoor activities to suit everyone including our Quad Biking Course, Quad Bike Explorer, Mountain Biking, 4x4 Off Road Driving, Thrill and Chill; Chill days, Orienteering, Climbing/Abseiling, Waterpark, Canoeing and Kayaking, Fishing, Sailing, Cliff Jumping, Gorge Walking and programmes for groups.
Boating on Loch Lubnaig
Boat launching is allowed on Loch Lubnaig but outboard engines must be under 10 h.p.
Speedboats and jet skis are not allowed, but for someone who just wants a sail on a nice
day, or a family picnic, Loch Lubnaig is the ideal place.
At Baynes tackle shop in Callander, you get a key for £10 for a slipway on Lubnaig and leave
your trailer secure whilst you are on the water.
Canoeing at Callander
One very popular canoe trip for less experienced adventurers starts at the Meadows car park in Callander and follows the river Teith eastwards via placid pools, two or three easy rapids and some tree lined fast and straight stretches for about five miles to an easy pick-up point near to the main road to Stirling. The Teith is easily navigable by canoe all the way to Doune!
Boating on Loch Venachar
If you don't have your own boat you can hire one from Trossachs Leisure at Loch Venacher. Phone 01877 330011 for information.
Loch Venachar Sailing Club is undoubtedly one of Scotland's finest sailing clubs and only an hour away from Edinburgh, and Glasgow - less from Perth. At LVSC, we believe that we sail in some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland and boast superb facilities.
And for those new to sailing - LVSC has been an RYA Training Centre since 1995 and, with some 25 dinghy and power boat instructors, offers a wide range of RYA dinghy and Power Boat courses.
Watersport at Loch Lomond
In the
centre of the National Park in Scotland you find Loch Lomond, considered by some to be the
jewel of the national park and from which the Park gains part of its name. Loch Lomond
stretches from its gentle southern end at Balloch to Ardlui, some twenty-one miles to the
northwest.
Loch Lomond, made famous by the song "the Bonnie Banks " is one of the main
attractions of the park.
At the southern end of the Loch is Balloch . The river Leven exits the loch and here you will find the largest of many marinas on the loch as well as watersports, trips on motor launches.
Situated on the eastern shore is Balmaha. It is I suppose the eastern pleasure boating centre of Loch Lomond nestling in a sheltered bay, permanently populated by pretty pleasure craft.
Further north from Balmaha is Rowardennan. The small steamer pier here is still used by pleasure boats taking visitors on the Loch and round some of the islands. This area is often used by divers as the bottom slopes quickly in places to deeper water. The local police use this as a training area.
Loch Lomond Wakeboard is Scotlands first purpose-built wakeskate and wakeboard school and is located on the quieter eastern shore of Loch Lomond at Rowardennan. Offering a range of wakeboarding, wakeskating, water ski-ing lessons and experiences. Loch Lomond Wakeboard will guarantee you the ride of your life!. Located at the Rowardennan Hotel, Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond Sailing Club - SAILING Club/Assoc. Private dinghy and keelboat racing club, on the east shore of Loch Lomond near Balmaha. Membership enquiries welcome, or come along to one of our open meetings. See www.lochlomondsc.org for details.
Motor cruiser excursions are also available from the area around Tarbet and Luss. Jet-ski-ing is also popular on some parts of the Loch.
Watersports in the Trossachs Water ski-ing at Lochearn
Sailing, Scooters and water ski-ing
The waters of Loch Earn have long been famous for watersports. Lochearnhead Activity Centre provides waterski-ing for all abilities. Waterski-ing championships are held here regularly. Also a favourite venu for dingy sailing, Lochearn gives added interest and challenge due to the often unpredictable 'puffs' of wind coming from the many narrow glens which drop down to Lochearn.
A second watersports centre at Lochearnhead can be found a couple of hundred yards away from the Lochearnhead Activity Centre.
Kayaks and Canadian Canoes are also available for hire.
Loch Long and Loch Goil
At Loch Long in the West of the National Park, this sea loch has an interesting underwater world of anemones, peacock worms and reefs with lobsters and crabs. Thanks to the Gulf Stream the water usually doesn't get much colder than 10 degrees C.
At Loch Long and Loch Goil you can also hire boats for a boat trip or angling in the sea lochs. Loch Goil has a Watersports Club and there are places where you can rent boats.
The main rivers and lochs in the area are:
|
|
The Trossachs and things to see and do