By Cory Jones
Director of
Highland Experiences
https://highlandexperiences.com

Cory Jones

Bio

Cory is a Paddle UK-endorsed guide and runs Highland Experiences in Scotland. He blogs about his travels on Wee Wild Adventures. Cory is an experienced expedition leader and a founder member of the First Aid Training Co-operative. 

Paddling the River Spey in springtime
A first adventure with the TRAK Kayak

A particular kind of silence settles on a Scottish loch before dawn in early spring – crisp, expectant, and full of potential. On 2nd April 2025, I stood at the edge of Loch Insh in the Cairngorms, my breath fogging the air, fingers already beginning to tingle from the cold. It was -3 °C and just getting light.

A particular kind of silence settles on a Scottish loch before dawn in early spring – crisp, expectant, and full of potential. On 2nd April 2025, I stood at the edge of Loch Insh in the Cairngorms, my breath fogging the air, fingers already beginning to tingle from the cold. It was -3 °C and just getting light.
the river’s rhythm

As I settled into the river’s rhythm, I began to take in more of the life around me. A dipper flitted across the current and bobbed cheerfully on a midstream rock before diving beneath the surface. A kingfisher flashed past – electric blue in the sun – and disappeared upriver. Rafts of goosanders and goldeneye were pairing off, getting ready to nest. Spring was very much in the air, and everything seemed just that little bit sharper, brighter, and more alive after the long winter.

Otters
Then came the real highlight of the day. Just beyond a gentle bend, where the river widened briefly, I saw two shapes moving ahead of me in the water. Otters. I stopped paddling and let the kayak drift. To my amazement, the pair turned and swam directly towards me. They were curious, not threatened, and slowly circled the kayak’s bow, eyeing me up. For a moment, time stood still. It was just the three of us sharing the river. Then, with a flick of their tails, they were gone, diving beneath the surface and disappearing downstream.

Encounters like that are why I paddle. A few hours in, I stopped for a quick bite on a gravel beach, using the calm stretch near Boat of Garten to stretch my legs. Then, back into the kayak and into the final push towards Grantown.

The final few kilometres pass through increasingly wooded stretches, with the hills rising more steeply on either side. The water quickened again, and I took more care in my line choices through the boulder gardens. By then, I’d almost forgotten I was in a folding kayak. The TRAK felt solid, responsive, and utterly dependable – and that confidence makes all the difference, especially when you’re tired.

Grantown-on-Spey
By late afternoon, I arrived at the pull-out point at Grantown-on-Spey. The spring sun was still warm on my face as I hauled the kayak out, stripped off my wet kit, and stood quietly looking back at the water. Dismantling the kayak was straightforward, and it was easily packed back into its bag (transported inside the kayak). It was a short trundle to the roadside. It had been a proper day – a test, an adventure, and a gentle reminder of how special Scotland’s rivers are in the spring.

What I loved about this trip was how accessible it all was. The Spey in springtime has beautiful scenery, wildlife, a bit of whitewater, and a sense of remoteness that makes you feel like you’ve escaped. And the TRAK kayak? It’s more than just a clever piece of kit. It opens up paddling in places and ways that just aren’t practical with a hard-shell boat. I’m already thinking about where I’ll take it next – perhaps somewhere even more remote.

If you’re planning your Spey journey, spring is a brilliant time. Just be prepared for cold starts, check the flow conditions, and ensure you have the right layers. The Go Paddling guide is an excellent resource for planning. For more about the TRAK kayak that made this journey so memorable, look at TRAK Kayaks.

Sometimes, it’s not about going far – it’s about going with the right mindset, kit, and a curiosity for what’s around the next bend. The River Spey delivered all that and more. It always does.