spoiled for choice with 8 lochs and scotlands only lake

 
OVERVIEW

The Trossachs is often described as the ‘The Highlands in Miniature’ given their steep sided hills and wooded glens creating 8 stunningly beautiful fresh water lochs for paddlers to choose from.  Paddling is both plentiful and rewarding with easy lochside access, good amenities and opportunities for overnight adventures.  Our odessey tour will combine two lochs (Archray and Venachar) with an adventure sup along the slow moving river Black Water in between both lochs to vary the paddling and ensure a memorable but rewarding day out. 

TOUR PROFILE

trossachs odessey
tour

duration

4 - 5 hrs

price

40.00 pp

season

March - November

group size

Max 8 paddlers

meeting point

Loch Achray
Campsite

finish point

Waterworks car park, eastern shore

type

Inland Fresh water Loch

route

Traverse

tOUR info

tour highlights

  • Stunning vistas of the LLNP Trossachs
  • Linear paddle along two sheltered lochs and a narrow flat river section
  • Wildlife watching including birdlife
  • Places of interest to stop and rest 
  • Blackwater Grade 1 river for a sup adventure
  • Options to car shuttle linear trip or split trip
  • Epic and varied day out

what's included

  • Qualified and experienced local guide
  • 5 hours delivery and on water leadership
  • Safety and leadership group equipment
  • High quality SUP equipment hire inc QR belt
  • Lomo Dry bags
  • Changing robe and standing mat
  • Complimentary inflation of I-sup
  • Lomo 5mm Wetsuit and Peak UK PFD
  • Pre arrival drink and after tour snack/hot drinks
  • Photography capturing your tour experience and sent to you electronically.

what to bring

  • Towel or robe for after changing
  • Old trainers or shoes suitable for walking over rock which can get wet
  • Personal Wetsuit (min 3mm)
  • Swimwear for under wetsuits
  • Personal Flotation Device (Buoyancy Aid)
  • Fleece, warm clothing for changing
  • Kit bag for wet clothing
  • Stand Up Paddleboard, paddle, leash (if you have your own and it is in suitable condition)
  • Water bottle or flask with drinks
  • Snacks
  • Personal Medication
  • Suncream 
  • Hat/gloves (Oct onwards)
  • Warm clothes for changing into post tour
  • Phone and waterproof phone case

is this tour right for you?

We recommend this tour to paddlers who have completed an Intro to SUP lesson with a reputable provider and feel comfortable paddling for longer distances over 2hours of exercise.

See our Tours Guide on the Tours Home page

Suitable for Orcas, Sea Turtles and Porpoises

 

tour itinerary

  • Meet your guide at Loch Achray campsite main car park for 0930am
  • Welcome and introductions. Car shuttle required to Loch Venachar return.
  • Kit up, inflate and kit check
  • Tour brief, weather check and timings
  • Tour commences heading along the southern shore of Archray to Blackwater.
  • Snack and drink stop
  • Continue along Blackwater to Loch Venachar
  • Paddle northern shore of Venachar
  • Egress to back to vehicles 1400pm at end point
  • Car shuttle back to Achray campsite
  • Return and hot drinks to finish

Frequently Asked Questions

In short, no but a degree of water confidence and ability to tread water is desirable for participating in a water sport. We provide a Personal Flotation Device (Pfd) suitable for a  range of client sizes and weights. Unless instructed otherwise, these are mandatory to wear during our activities as its aids a paddler to float minimising the need to swim.

This entirely depends on the activity.

Our maximum participants on any given activity is 8.

Reducing to 6 on Instructor courses and no more than 4 on rivers per leader.

Multi-day/overnight Living Wild trips – max 4

We prefer smaller, more intimate groups as in our experience it builds better connections, its safer for group management and provides more time to enjoy the activity together. 

We are also mindful of our environmental impact by inviting groups of people into coastal and inter-tidal zones, wilderness areas where excessive footprints off paths can damage the soil structures, flora and create more bio cross-contaminations. We try keep this to a minimum. 

Yes. The more information about you and your health requirements the better prepared we are to cater for your needs. All your information is stored confidentially. Our medical and readiness questionnaire is contained on our booking form. Please do feel free to call us beforehand to discuss or speak to your leader prior to the session declaring any injuries or medical fitness.

Unfortunately not. We find dogs can be a distraction during safety briefs and during activity. Not all our clients are comfortable around dogs. We are happy to advice on personal paddling with pets and arrange adog-friendly activity.

We are very much governed by HSE Adventure Activities Licencing Scheme regarding working with Children and Vulnerable adults. All our staff and volunteers are PVG checked to work with Children.

On our family sessions our min age is 8years old where due to AALS licencing adults must be present on-site. The only exception is where we operate within a venue which is less than 50m wide which satisfies AALS regulations. We have equipment which will fit this age group and older.

The min age for attending a British Canoeing SUP Instructor level 1 is 14years.

Our min age for attending our safety courses, coaching sessions and tours is 14years. 

Whats included and what you need to bring are described in each page of the tours or courses and also within the confirmation sent prior. 

Full board packages for the activity are included in the price complimentary.

We will also provide a changing cape and standing mat, group equipment such as survival shelter, first aid kit, rewarming kit, spare paddle, pump.

We provide Pfd and wetsuit free of charge at time of booking

We also provide waterproof phone case and cag jackets as wind blockers.

Payment transactions can be arranged in a few ways which are most convenience for you but must be paid in full prior to activity commencing.

Our booking engine will handle online payments where we absorb the merchant fee via GoCardless/Stripe on our product pages.

We can send an addressed invoice for groups and businesses payable via GoCardless secure online payment link.

Cash can be accepted on the day where prior arranged with us and receipt emailed post event.

Apologies, we cannot offer a credit or debit card transaction facility on the day of the activity.  

Absolutely. Although we love to take your picture and offer a complimentary photo service sending your highlights to you post activity, we understand it’s not for everyone.

Simply state NO on your booking form on the relevant section.

Furthermore, we also request your permission to use your images on our media accounts and hold no judgements to those who object. We build your trust in this regard.

This is a common question we are asked. Simply put. Unless its time critical, we take our pace from the slowest member of the group and we are fully inclusive in how we lead, guide and coach. Its not a race and we are on an activity to have fun, connect with others and the place we are in, paddle safely and prevent fatigue. We always discuss group paddling strategy and using systems for paddler support on the water such as pairs, small groups, varying leader position etc etc. 

inspo