Explore the Cairngorms National Park from the water. Hiring a kayak at Loch Insh offers freedom to discover stunning mountain views.
It is widely considered one of the best things to do near Aviemore for outdoor enthusiasts.
Kayaking is a fantastic, family-friendly activity. We offer incredibly stable sit-on-top kayaks that are easy to maneuver, making them a popular, comfortable choice for parents, children, and solo adventurers looking to get out on the water.
If you’re just looking for a quick escape, a 90-minute hire is perfect for a calm morning paddle or a fun afternoon out. You can stick close to the beach if you’re just finding your feet, alternatively you could pack a picnic and make a day of it on a self-guided river trip beyond the loch.
If you are planning to be out for longer, we recommend grabbing our summer day ticket instead. By doing so, you’ll get free, unlimited use of all our hires for the whole day. which gives you free, unlimited use of all our hires for the whole day.
Choosing your Kayak: When it comes to choosing your kayak ,We have a few different sizes depending on who you’re bringing along:
Single Kayaks: Perfect for solo explorers or those looking for a peaceful, independent paddle.
Double (2-Seater) Kayaks: Great for couples, friends, or a parent and child paddling together.
What’s Included? Safety is our top priority. All hire sessions include a high-quality buoyancy aid as standard and a brief safety induction from our friendly beach team before you head off. We also monitor weather conditions closely to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable experience.
First time Kayaking, learn fun afternoon on the water, here’s a couple of options to get you out on the water for the first time.
Group Taster Lessons
The perfect “no-pressure” 90 minute introduction with other first timers. Our instructors will get you paddling like a pro in your very first session. All ages from 8 years old can take part.
Private Taster Lessons
Same lesson even less pressure! Your lesson at your pace. A great option for families with kids under 8 years old who can join in too.
This course is the perfect way to get confident using paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks. We start right at the beginning with an easy introduction to the kit on the calm water of Loch Insh.
From there, as the week goes on, we’ll step things up with trickier skills like figure-of-eight steering and self-rescue techniques.
Ultimately, the highlight of the week is putting those new skills to the test with two different trips down the River Spey, mixed in with some fun paddling games to keep things relaxed.
Kids 5 day
This week is all about getting kids confident on paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks. To kick things off, we start with a fun introduction to the kit and basic techniques on the flat water of Loch Insh.
Once everyone gets their balance, we’ll move on to cooler skills like figure-of-eight steering and how to safely get back on their boat if they take a splash.
To wrap up the week, they’ll head out on two brilliant river trips down the Spey, while also playing plenty of classic watersport games along the way.
This stretch of the Spey is famously tranquil, making it a relaxing, self-guided journey through one of the most beautiful parts of the valley. It’s a Grade 1 river, meaning the water is calm and easy to navigate for anyone with basic coordination and a sense of adventure. No previous experience is essential, and you can even book this as a guided trip if you’d prefer to have an instructor along.
How it works: We provide the transport from our centre up to the launch point in Kingussie. From there, you head down the river at your own pace, winding through the landscape and ending right back here at the Loch Insh beach.
Time & Duration: Leaves at 10:00 AM and takes around 3 to 5 hours. It’s the perfect length for packing a picnic to enjoy on a quiet river beach along the way.
Prices: Kayaks are £65 per person
Canoes are £45 per person (select your craft at checkout).
What’s included: Transport, buoyancy aids, paddles, and dry bags. Our team will also give you a few handy pointers before you head off.
🦅 Wildlife Spotting This stretch of river is teeming with life, so keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and waterfowl circling above, otters and swans in the reeds, and red deer grazing along the banks. With the recent reintroduction of beavers to the area, you might even be lucky enough to spot one of them working away.
Guided River Trip: Kincraig to Aviemore If you’d prefer to head downriver with a pro, this guided trip takes you from Loch Insh all the way to Aviemore. One of our friendly instructors will paddle alongside you the whole way to guide the route and keep things safe. Once you reach Aviemore, we’ll pick you up and bring you right back to Loch Insh. You can choose to do this trip on a kayak, canoe or paddle board.
Price: £77 per person (wetsuits are included).
Group size: Minimum 4 people, maximum 16 per trip.
How to book: Because we need to coordinate guides for this one, please call us on 01540 651294 or email activities@lochinsh.co.uk to get booked in.
What’s included: Transport, buoyancy aids, paddles, and dry bags.
