With autumn weather soon approaching we decided to get some more bikepackrafting in whilst we still can. We got the maps out and started looking for options and landed on Pitlochry. We do love this area for biking and winter walking when it snows but we haven’t really stayed in the main season before as it can get very busy with tourists. From our research looking at the map and also consulting our paddle water guide, it looked like the rivers here were grade 1/2 and flowed into small lochs so should be manageable for us. Faskally campsite is quite large but excellent access to the river and also lots of bike trails; so as they had last minute availability we decided to give it a go.
The first surprise was the campsite. Yes it is huge but the motorhome and camping van area is separated from the rest of the site so it doesn’t feel like a huge site when you are parked up. And they have a bar, restaurant and swimming pool with sauna on site. Mental note to bring a swimsuit next time! The staff here were lovely and the facilities really tidy and good, even if there was no dishwasher (see last post for that story).
The paddle downstream was great fun with loads to look at on the way.
The downside of lovely flat and wide water though is that there is very little flow and you need to paddle to move. My arms are aching a lot as I type this blog. Great photos and a good day out but it was the longest shortest trip we have done for a while if you know what I mean :). We paddled down to the dam at Pitlochry and then enjoyed a cuppa at the visitors centre before cycling back along the riverside paths to the campsite.
The water was quite cold …. may need to invest in some paddling socks or pack the rafts up until next season.
Wee Van Tour 