Classic trip, from Perth to Broughty Ferry completed. Nearly 40km distance but if you count your time right and use the benefit of tide in the River Tay it takes only up to 7 hrs. We did in two half days with a great wild camp in the middle. Trip worth doing!
We were lucky and as a small enough group,permited to access river at Perth Sailing Club grounds. Very polite people even allowed us to put our car on their grounds. If you considering taking a bigger group or regular trips, use SCA access point instead, in Perth.
River is nice and mellow, but be aware that during the high water quite large ships might be travelling up and down here as well, going to Perth Port!
Leaving Perth you already can see first two out of five castles you will be lucky to view during the trip. There is also number of herons living around here so trip is enjoyable straight from the beginning.
After River Earn joins us from the right keep your map handy. There is a lot of sand banks and overgrown river edges. Make sure you stick to the main channel, otherwise you might get lost, stuck or just simply slowed down. Worth checking what each water buoy means and how should you behave when other water crafts are passing by.
Newburgh is a lovely small town, worth stopping by. For those who don't have 7hrs spare, could be a good start point of the trip. From now on you will see Dundee at the horizon. Plenty of abandoned houses on the right bank. Left bank is way to overgrown to access the land.
Shortly after passing town we have spotted first seal!
We decided to stop 2-3 miles down from town. Stony beach but comfortable enough and plenty of drift wood. Keep your fires under good control! This summer there is way to many large fires initiated by disposal BBQs. I know, I am a firefighter too!
Soon sunset was absolutely amazing. It was also a bit windy, so no midges as of yet. Two sea otters came out of the water and walk near us, ignoring the world around, to their hidden settlement. Then five herons as a group flew by, heading East. More seals can be seen not far, settling for the low tide on the river's sand banks. What's an evening...and all of it with Dundee in the distance. How many of folks living there doesn't even relies about this great spot we are in.
Morning welcomed us with no wind, so classic midges waited for us. Thousands of them, so it took maybe 10 minutes to pack up and go. Breakfast, we decided, will be eaten on the water :)
Completely flat conditions maintained all the way to Tayport! We paddled against tide, but because of this great weather it only took us 4 hrs from camp site to Broughty Ferry beach! Pictures taken in this conditions (see link to them below) are probably one of the best I ever took!
Seals. I can't finish without saying how lucky we were that day. We started trip when water was still low. Before approaching Tay Rail Bridge, we passed by a sand beach with 20 - 30 seals relaxing in the early day sun. When we arrived to them, quietly, they all went on the water at once. We waited when suddenly they started to appear near us just curiously looking at us and diving here and there. They are massive animals but staying a safe distance from us. Fantastic experience we had , which lasted nearly 20 minutes. Then some of them followed even us for a while...Loved it!
Who wouldn't enjoy such trip? But there is more to it and also plenty more to see, so get in touch! Join us for our next venture or propose your one, we will arrange it all for you!
Contact: info@outdoorexplore.org.uk
Link to pictures:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107970469148549274301/albums/6041715116301347009
River is nice and mellow, but be aware that during the high water quite large ships might be travelling up and down here as well, going to Perth Port!
Leaving Perth you already can see first two out of five castles you will be lucky to view during the trip. There is also number of herons living around here so trip is enjoyable straight from the beginning.
After River Earn joins us from the right keep your map handy. There is a lot of sand banks and overgrown river edges. Make sure you stick to the main channel, otherwise you might get lost, stuck or just simply slowed down. Worth checking what each water buoy means and how should you behave when other water crafts are passing by.
Newburgh is a lovely small town, worth stopping by. For those who don't have 7hrs spare, could be a good start point of the trip. From now on you will see Dundee at the horizon. Plenty of abandoned houses on the right bank. Left bank is way to overgrown to access the land.
Shortly after passing town we have spotted first seal!
We decided to stop 2-3 miles down from town. Stony beach but comfortable enough and plenty of drift wood. Keep your fires under good control! This summer there is way to many large fires initiated by disposal BBQs. I know, I am a firefighter too!Soon sunset was absolutely amazing. It was also a bit windy, so no midges as of yet. Two sea otters came out of the water and walk near us, ignoring the world around, to their hidden settlement. Then five herons as a group flew by, heading East. More seals can be seen not far, settling for the low tide on the river's sand banks. What's an evening...and all of it with Dundee in the distance. How many of folks living there doesn't even relies about this great spot we are in.
Morning welcomed us with no wind, so classic midges waited for us. Thousands of them, so it took maybe 10 minutes to pack up and go. Breakfast, we decided, will be eaten on the water :)
Seals. I can't finish without saying how lucky we were that day. We started trip when water was still low. Before approaching Tay Rail Bridge, we passed by a sand beach with 20 - 30 seals relaxing in the early day sun. When we arrived to them, quietly, they all went on the water at once. We waited when suddenly they started to appear near us just curiously looking at us and diving here and there. They are massive animals but staying a safe distance from us. Fantastic experience we had , which lasted nearly 20 minutes. Then some of them followed even us for a while...Loved it!
Who wouldn't enjoy such trip? But there is more to it and also plenty more to see, so get in touch! Join us for our next venture or propose your one, we will arrange it all for you!
Contact: info@outdoorexplore.org.uk
Link to pictures:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107970469148549274301/albums/6041715116301347009
