Grandtully to Dunkeld on the River Tay
The river Tay from just below GrandTully rapids to Dunkeld is generally an easy
paddle with occasional grade 1 features.
The get in is a very small layby
about 50m inside the 30mph sign entering Grandtully (NN915534). There is an
access ramp to the river and is used by the rafters as their get out point, so
often you will be sharing with a trailer. Proper parking is available at the SCA
campsite in Grandtully (immediately opposite the hotel).
The get out in
Dunkeld is 200m upstream of the bridge. You can access the shore by doing a
sharp right-right-right (U-turn) as you cross the bridge (A923 - A924 - lane for
hotel carpark). This (not marked on 50,000 map) lane leads down the side of the
bridge and then under the bridge to emerge on the NE side. There is parking for
a few vehicles.
The get out itself is formed by the wall of the cathedral
garden which sticks out into the river to form a nice eddy even in high water (I
am told). Don't go through the bridge as a long rapid starts the other side so
you will be another km down stream before you know it. The rapid is grade 1-2
(i.e. a bit worse than experienced on the trip, and it's at the end of the day
so you'll be tired, so chance of upset..).
I did it in summer low water.
The only issues were over hanging branches, particularly where the water
channelled under them. Of particular note was the Tummel - Tay junction where
getting the initial positioning right was important to avoid being swept by the
cross current into the branches. Everywhere else was no
problem.
Elsewhere I had a nice meander down a former lade, weaving in
and out the branches before rejoining the main stream.
Philip Oakley
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