This is a description of a return kayak outing of about 6km from Aigas Dam, via the Aigas Gorge and around Eilean Aigas (an island in the river).
Note: Paddlers are discouraged from the gorge from March 1 to August 15 because of specially protected nesting birds. There are no restrictions outside these dates but you must respect the wildlife that has made the area its home.
The Scottish Canoe Classics guidebook by Pesda Press details an A-to-B paddle of 23km from Cannich Bridge to Aigas Dam but this requires two vehicles or someone to drop you off and pick you up. Instead, Hubby G and I decided to start and finish at the dam and take in a circuit of the island, via the gorge. Our route was almost 6km and it was the perfect way to enjoy a short paddle on a very peaceful river.
Earlier in the day, we paddled a 3km circuit of Loch Achilty, near Contin, and we only chanced upon the idea for the River Beauly during our drive back home.
Aigas Dam to Aigas Gorge
The start and finish was at Aigas Dam on the A831. The dam is 8km southwest of Beauly and 24km west of Inverness, on the River Beauly.
There is no parking spot at the dam because it is fenced off and there are locked gates. G and I parked for a short while next to the gates, unloaded the kayaks on to grass over the fence and I then drove the car along to a layby about 100m back along the road. I walked back to the kayaks.
Once we were kitted out, G and I carried the kayaks down a wide tarmac access road. The road is quite steep and some 100m in length, so it required determination with our kayaks. The P&H Scorpio and Virgo are not the lightest boats to carry although we like them because they are robust. As sea kayaks they make a great craft because you do not need to worry about rocks and other bumps. They are also very stable.
But, if you had a lighter weight fibreglass kayak, you will find the walk to the river a lot easier. Anyway, we managed to carry each boat individually between us.
Just before the dam, we spotted a path through trees and down to the side of the river. Care needs to be taken here when entering the river because it is fairly close to the dam, although not scarily so. The water was calm when we launched.
Up river to Aigas Gorge
Although we paddled up river, the current wasn’t strong and we made good progress. We were not in a hurry anyway and we enjoyed a leisurely pace, stopping to look at wildlife, trees and the wonderfully pleasant and serene views.
The River Beauly is dark and, presumably deep, but the water was mostly calm. There were a few place where the currents were stronger but it was very manageable to paddle.
The high, steep sides walls of the gorge are breath-taking. Another great time to visit the gorge is in autumn when I expect the trees are stunning.
At the right time of year, you might be lucky enough to spot ospreys, which fish the river. However, it is vital that paddlers resect these birds and do not disturb them, especially during the nesting season.
Around 2.5km from the dam, we reached Aigas Island. We decided to paddle round it going anti-clockwise. The island looks like it’s in a world of its own and is covered in woodland and mossy ground.
On the eastern side of the island, a high bridge connects to the mainland. Perched high on the isle is an impressively large house.
The history books reveal that Canadian telecoms tycoon Brendan Clouston demolished the original house and built the new property in around 2006. In 2012, the house was put on the market and eventually sold three years later at auction. It’s reported that the Qatari royal family paid £7 million for the Scottish island and home.
I can confirm the location is fantastic. I doubt the royal family live there though!
G and I paddled under the bridge and below the island house before making our way downstream to the dam.
G declared it was one of the most peaceful places he has ever been. We passed one other couple in a double kayak. They didn’t return our hello so we have no idea where they had come from but we later saw them being picked up at the dam, so we presume they started their paddle further upstream.
This is a beautiful place to paddle a boat although you should be fairly experienced because if you capsize, there are few places to easily get out on to the river bank.
After taking the kayaks out of the river, where we had earlier entered, we needed to carry them uphill. This was quite a strenuous task but well worth doing for the rewards of this lovely paddle adventure.