Findhorn River

Location: Half Hour from Aviemore and Inverness, Scotland

The Findhorn River originates high in the Monadhliath mountains, flowing through the northern highlands and eventually out into the sandy beaches of Moray Firth in the town of Forres. Most whitewater rafting operators that run the Findhorn are based in Aviemore.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV+ / Intermediate

A rafting trip on the Findhorn River gives little warm-up time for paddlers. Just a few minutes into the trip, rafts enter a deep and impressive gorge of continuous Class IV whitewater rapids. Adventurous beginners are welcome, but the minimum age is usually somewhere around 15.

Scenery: Granite and Serpentine Gorges, Ancient Celtic Memorials

The Findhorn River winds through gorges of granite and serpentine rocks before coming upon walls of red sandstone near the bottom of its journey, at times squeezing through spaces hardly larger than the raft itself. Valley and gorge walls are lined with mature deciduous and coniferous forest, and rafting trips will often stop at places of mystic and historical significance. The Princess Stone is one of the more notable: an ancient sculptured cross slab with Runic knots still visible on its surface, placed there as a memorial to a Celtic princess who died while trying to ford the river. In the main gorge, rafts navigate through several exciting Class IV rapids such as Side Winder, Triple Falls, Cork Screw, and the Slot.

Season: March – October

Whitewater rafting trips are available on the Findhorn River in Scotland’s Spring and Summer months.