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Where are the best local places to paddle?

River Don at Donmouth


Park either at Donmouth car park on the north side, or on the beach Boulevard on the south side, or even at Brig o Balgownie
Check the tide times as it’s best to go just before high tide, and you should be able to paddle around 2km upstream to Seaton Park
It’s a great journey, through some beautiful scenery, in a part of Aberdeen you wouldn’t ordinarily see

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River Dee


The River Dee takes you on an incredible journey and is different every time you paddle.  There are so many great sections, but we love the simplicity of the lower section, finishing at the fisherman’s bothy at Riverside Drive
You can make it a short trip, from the Shakkin Briggie in Cults (4K) or a longer trip from Milltimber Bridge (9.5k), Culter (11k) Drumoak (18k) or Crathes (25k)
It’s mostly gently flowing, but there are some sections where the water runs quicker, and it’s worth knowing what you are doing, or going as a group.  
Loads of wildlife to be seen too, from herons and buzzards, to deer, otters and seals

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Loirston Loch, Cove


Not many people know about paddling on Loirston Loch.  It is a fishing Loch, so the fishermen can sometimes be a little unfriendly.  But we are perfectly entitled to use it for paddling.  We just have to be respectful
Park on Wellington Road in the lay-by in the northbound carriageway and walk through the gate and down to the water. 
It can be a little choppy if the wind is blowing from the south. But is beautiful and so handy for the city. 
Best paddled in the spring and early summer, before the weeds in water start grabbing at your fin

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Corby Loch, Bridge of Don


Corby Loch has to be one of our favourite places to spend an evening.  The loch itself is not that big, but it makes a great setting for a BBQ as the sun goes down. 
It lies just north of Bridge of Don, inside the AWPR, so is handy for the city.  You have to park in one of the field entrances on the main road, and walk ten minutes with your board on your back down the gravel access track. 
But once you are there, you get beautiful lily pads, safe, shallow water, and fantastic sunsets

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Loch Kinord, Dinnet


The sun always shines on Loch Kinord.  


It makes for a great day out, on a decent sized loch, with a couple of islands to paddle round.   

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You can park on the main A93 in the big layby a mile or so after Dinnet, and then walk half a mile down to the loch side.

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Alternative access can be taken from the east (the Logie Coldstone road) or the west (the Burn o' Vat road).

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Local guidance asks you to avoid landing on the islands though, as it may disturb sensitive nesting birds.

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Update:  Nature,scot have issued guidance on 17th June 2021 asking people not to take water-borne access (paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming) to Loch Kinord from 17 June until 31 August as breeding birds are present across the loch. 

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We have challenged Nature.Scot to justify this heavy handed approach, given the conflict with access legislation, and potential impact on other lochs following a total ban.

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Loch Skene, Garlogie


Close to Aberdeen, Loch Skene makes for a nice day out.   The loch itself is reasonably large, with an old temple, small islands, and a nice outflow channel down to a weir on the south side, that you can paddle down.

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It can get choppy if there's a strong wind blowing, so keep an eye on conditions.   But on a flat calm day, it's hard to beat.

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Avoid parking at the Dunecht Estate gatehouse.   Instead park in the layby on the road to the east, which runs down to Garlogie, and walk the 200 metre path down to the loch side.

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The western end of the loch is home to osprey nests, and so we recommend avoiding the far side of the loch during the nesting season from early April

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Aboyne Loch


Aboyne Loch is relatively small, but has the advantage of the beautiful Lodge on the Loch hotel overlooking the water.

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It's also great if you are staying at the caravan park.  

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There's not much nearby parking, but you may be able to pay the caravan park, to park up and use their facilities.


The loch itself is covered by access legislation, and you are entitled to take responsible access to the water, free of charge.   Just be careful where you park.   

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There is a small jetty on to the loch between the caravan park and the entrance to the lodge on the loch.

Aberdeen Beach


Check the tides and swell before you go out on the water, but if its a nice day in calm conditions, then Aberdeen Beach is a great place to paddle.  

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It is especially amazing at sunrise.

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We tend to go in at the Fittie end, and then out parallel to the harbour wall.  


Be careful not to cross into the shipping channel, as the Harbour Master will trigger a shut down of the harbour.

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Cove Bay, Cove


I had never been to Cove Bay until this summer.   You can park right down on the pier wall, or in the small car park slightly up the hill.

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The harbour itself is a nice place to enter onto the water, and then you can head north or south, exploring the caves and coves as you go.

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Watch out for the jellyfish though

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Stonehaven Harbour


Home of Stonehaven Paddleboarding, its not hard to see why they base themselves here. 


Enter the water from Botany Bay, at the far end of the harbour, and follow the coast out, and south, which leads round a couple of headlands and caves, before reaching Dunottar Castle.

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Watch out for tide times and swell, and check which way the wind is blowing.

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Loch na Bo, Lhanbryde


Okay, this is a bit of a curveball.  Loch Na Bo is in Moray, just off the A96 at Lhanbryde.  Just past Threaplands Garden Centre, there’s a track which heads up towards the loch.  There is parking for a small number of cars on the track.  
But...there is a very grumpy South African couple, who are caretakers for the estate house on the loch.  Be warned, they might have a go at you.  But stand your ground.  You are entitled to paddle on the loch, even if you shouldn’t park on the track. 
Once you are there it is worth it.  The loch is beautiful.  Swans, islands, lily pads, and a beautiful estate house looking down on to the loch

Knockburn Loch, Banchory


Okay, this should maybe be higher up the list.  Knockburn is a purpose built activity loch, just south of Banchory.  Originally for open water swimming, it is now used for all water activities.  
However, to use it, you have to be a member or be attending a lesson (See Element 67 in the Paddling Friends page)
As well as changing facilities and toilets, there’s also a nice cafe 
The loch itself isn’t all that big though, so it’s more for practising your skills, than adventuring 

Findhorn Bay, Moray


A little further afield, but worth it for a salt water adventure in a relatively safe environment.  Check the tide times though. The water fills the bay and then if you time it wrong, it will spit you back out into the Moray Firth. Best bet is before high tide
You can park beside the water at Findhorn village, and then paddle up alongside the harbour and the various sand bars. 
On the other side is the ancient Culben Forest, where the mighty pines grow out of the sand
And you can finish off with fish and chips and a beer at the harbour cafe

Birsemore Loch, Aboyne


It’s an option if you happen to be near Aboyne. The loch itself is really small, but could provide an option on a sunny day, if you were more interested in chilling out in the sun.  
There’s a car park on road on the east side, and a 100 metre walk down to the loch side with your board. 

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Tell us your favourite place to paddle? 

Where to Paddle: Where to Paddle
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