MARK & THE LONDON LADS ~ BOYSIE BONDING

Somewhat later than I had hoped I now write to share the lovely day I we had on the Spey on Saturday April 21^st with 12 great young gentlemen from London.

Most refer to them as Stag or Hen Parties. At Spirit of the Spey we tend to call them ‘Boysie Bondings’ or ‘Girlie Gatherings’. So this was young Mark’s pre-nuptial Boysie Bonding ~ a weekend filled with activity but with interludes of R&R and also time factored to eat nice food and sip the odd (mainly brown ~ how odd is that!?) ‘Lemonade’ or three!

The lads had travelled up to Aviemore from Kings Cross overnight Thursday on the sleeper-train. Upon arrival in Aviemore on Friday morning, they were picked up at Aviemore station and promptly whisked off by people-carrier on a visit to lovely Cragganmore Distillery, an experience thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The group of lads then returned to their comfortable accommodation ~ at a fine large house, ‘The Pines’, on the outskirts of Grantown-on-Spey. After settling in and a meal in the town, the group were treated to a tutored whisky-tasting session at The Pines. Six or eight drams (~ no one was quite sure of the exact number!) were sampled but most agreed that of the whiskies nosed and tasted throughout the evening, one Aberlour expression stood out as a favourite.

Shortly after nine o’clock the minibus picked up the group and delivered them to the riverbank at a point just downstream of Advie Bridge. Following issue of technical kit and brief skills input and safety briefing the group set off downstream.

The majestic Spey was particularly majestic as, following the massive snow melt and rain causing widespread throughout Strathspey earlier in the week, the water-levels were still 4 feet above normal summer levels ~ so to use the technical term ~ ‘stonking down’.

Some of the lads having previously been on the Ardeche in France, upon arrival, considered themselves competent paddlers but Lady Spey was keen to prove she was of a more playful, indeed devilish nature than any French ‘tourist river’. Realising that the skills taught on the shore were to be useful in getting them to their egress point and also heighten their enjoyment of the day, the boys all buckled down, honed their paddling techniques and team work to cope very well with the fast flowing currents. There were only three capsizes in the entire day and two these occurred by the riverbank ~ once when two lads were getting in and once again when the same lads were getting out of their canoe!

The weather on the day was not fantastic but, although overcast, the day was mainly dry and Lady Spey was, as always, looking radiant, at this time, in her early spring cloak, with a fresh green on the trees as buds start to swell prior to their bursting open in the next series of warm days. (Sadly we are still waiting!)

Our picture canvas was back-dropped by still snow lying white on the higher hills but the boys stayed warm togged up in their fleeces and waterproof shells. Mark (the groom to be) got off fairly lightly in terms of ‘clothing’ and paddled dressed by his ‘friends’ in a warm, woolly top and football scarf, dashing black tights and lovely kilt. 

We had our tasty picnic-lunch just downstream of the infamous ‘Washing Machine’ rapid ~ which was fairly high and towards being washed-out. However the lads coped well with the heavier water. After lunch the boys played ‘Contact-Sports/Boysie Games’              

Likewise at the more technical Knockando Rapid, after a blether with Knockando senior ghillie, Sandy Smith the lads all came through the white water with big grins on their faces. (pic 048)

Dippers, wagtails and herons kept up company throughout the day. Because the water levels were high, fishing was not very good, thus many of the fishing guests had gone home and we saw very few anglers on our journey. (pic 055)

Very soon we were passing the site of the long-since mothballed

Imperial Distillery ~ now demolished to make way for the brand new state-of-the-art distillery to be built by Chivas Bros. Then we travelled round the bend to view the attractive steel construction of Carron Bridge ~ once carrying, side by side the road and the Speyside railway line.

Next bridge is the pretty Victorian pedestrian, Penny Bridge at Aberlour ~ built by James Fleming ~ founder of Aberlour distillery to benefit all resident of the area ~ except, that is, the previous ferryman! From this point of the river, one can view up ahead the modern bonded-warehouses of world-renowned The Macallan.

Then to our egress point by Thomas Telford’s lovely Bridge by Craigellachie. All the boys were on a high following their Spey Experience which was only made complete when they sampled a dram of some of Dufftown’s best ~ on this occasion a Balvenie Doublewood 12 yo.

The group were scooped-up and taken back to The Pines to freshen up and prepare for a delicious 5 course dinner prepared by local ‘master-chef’ Christina Blakeney, during and after which I understand the boys greatly aided the well-being of the wines and spirits industry.

After a leisurely start to Sunday, the lads took in some fresh Grantown air and at the appointed time were driven back to Aviemore station for their return overnight to the Big Smoke ~ something of a contrast to their stay in Speyside.

Thanks to Jamie and Joe for setting up this Boysie Bonding weekend ~ enjoyed by all associated with it. This was a weekend of variety which will be remembered and spoken about for years to come. I wish Mark and his bride every happiness in their future together; they certain have a lovely group of ‘Boysie friends’surrounding them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, if you are interested in Open Canoeing on the majestic River Spey, please make contact with Dave Craig of Spirit of the Spey to have a no-obligation chat.  Spey journeys can be from 1 day improver course to a 5 day Spey descent.

Spey Journey 9th to 15th April in summary...

I would like to thank all the people and organisations that helped make our Spey Journey 9th to 15th April so perfect. This was planned as a luxury trip, designed to maximise being on the river ~ at one with nature, enjoying the wildlife of the river and along the way visiting a few places of cultural and historical interest. Also, however, we wanted to ensure that following a day on the river, we would each night be tucked up in a cosy comfortable bed in a warm, welcoming accommodation which would have in the earlier part of the evening provided the hungry paddlers with a delicious dinner. Our mission was accomplished!

This Spey Journey began at the impressive Tigh na Sgiath Country House Hotel situated by Dulnain Bridge, on the Skye of Curr road. Having just arrived and in the process of completing registration, owner Ian Macdonald- Coulter welcomed us with a wee dram. The tasteful soft furnishings throughout give this lovely Victorian house built in 1903 an innate feeling of comfort and sumptuous living. The bedrooms are no exception. Our lovely room 'Ballindalloch, was exquisite ~ light and airy with lovely view towards the Cromdale Hills and extended into a quaint sitting area in the turret! The bath accommodated my 6'3" frame with room to spare! Dinner prepared by Ian's wife Elaine was delicious ~ with so much to chose from. Great breakfast choice also ~ I had probably my best kipper ever here! Tigh na Sgiath pretty much has it all. iain@tigh-na-sgiath.co.uk

Next day our Journey continued from Grantown-on-Spey under the A95 bridge built in 1931, on down through a 

splishy-splashy bit (technical term) to the very attractive, stone built Old Spey Bridge. With pleasant overhead conditions we paddled through Castle Grant Estate under, the distinctly in need of repair, Cromdale Bridge with on river right the imposing Cromdale Kirk and river left the attractive cottage and garden of probably the Spey's most friendly ghillie, Lionel Main. Many of my particularly English clients require a translation when Lionel and I have a riverside chat ~ often with us both on opposite banks ~ spickin like fowk like us spick.

Lunch was by the infrequently used Tulchan Estate fishing hut at the Gled Pool. Slight drizzle from the overcast skies but our piece of bank was lit by the happy large yellow daffodils 'tossing their heads in sprightly dance'. Not too many fishermen on the Tulchan beats. Ghillie Roddy and his client were both pleased having landed a large salmon that morning. Further downstream ghillies Lawrence and Robert tried to appear happy for their colleague's success when I did my El Postino bit by conveying the news of Roddy's client's good fortune.

Our place of repose at the end of this day was once the house of the pioneer of modern distilling, John Smith who, in 1969, founded Cragganmore distillery. Cragganmore House is run by Award-winning chef Tony Alcott and his wife Helen. Helen met us at the door and very kindly, spirited away for drying our wet footwear, socks and damp over-trousers. This is a lovely, 'quirky' house filled with Helen and Tony's personal antiques collection and historic prints and paintings. Once again we were lucky to be in a turreted bedroom, this time with floors than sloped at various angles, in various directions. The dinner prepared by Tony was simply superb. Presentation of each course was beautiful and the tastes exquisite. Popular with distillery tourists and Speyside way walkers, this is a lovely place to stay, with Cragganmore distillery right outside the back door. Tony does however provide these superb dinners for non-residents ~ well worth a visit. http://Cragganmore-house.com/

Back on the river, we are now into the Spey's fastest moving water and more technical rapids ~ including the fast chute, affectionately known as 'The Washing Machine' and further downstream, the infamous paddlers' play-area at Knockando Rapid. This is a picturesque section of the river through Ballindalloch Estate, were close to the lovely castle (sadly not visible from the river) the River Avon flowing out of Loch Avon in the Cairngorm confluences with the Spey. A shorter day for us on the river, we had hoped to visit Cragganmore distillery in the morning. However, we learned just days before that the distillery is having a prolonged 'silent period' until early May to allow for essential maintenance, including boiler replacement. However, once at Knockando the skies cleared and we spent over an hour basking in the sunshine at this lovely location looking off downstream towards the picturesque Slioch Pool. Sadly my friend, ghillie Sandy Smith ~ always immaculate in his Knockando tweeds was on a rare day off (well Sandy says they are 'rare'!).

Sunbathing over we then walked up the hill to our third luxury abode of this trip ~ Cardhu House, a former 7 bed-roomed manse.  Owned and run by Tina and Norman MacGeoch. Norman is a builder to trade and has made an amazing job of renovating this fine stone-built house into a house of contrasts. Outside one views a beautiful stone exterior ~ an excellent example of 19th century Scottish stonemason craftsmanship, clearly recently pointed to perfection. However, once inside one could believe with the white walls, clean lines, window shutters but no curtains, minimal furniture and no clutter the rooms as that of a new build. There are, however, providing in tastefully fashion a 'Scottishness' in the form of attractive tweed soft furnishing on beds and cushion-covers. A nice dinner and breakfast were served in the spotless, airy dining room. Before and after dinner guests can sit by the warming log-fire. Being very close to Cardhu distillery Tina is always very happy to set up visits for her guests. mailto:info@cardhucountryhouse.co.uk

 Being previously a manse, lovely Cardhu House is situated right next to the most attractive, award winning, modern build Knockando Church. Complete with fine turret, the glass apex to the roof sheds excellent light to the interior of this most attractive church and illuminates the stunning stained glass windows which depict local scenes. After admiring the church we headed off down the hill to another historic gem in the form of the Knockando Wool Mill. A project many years in the making, the complete refurbishment of this still fully operational mill is a joy to behold. It's official opening will be in June once all the final exterior ground-works are completed and finishing touches are put to the repaired and refurbished machines, including huge looms. All credit must go to those folks who have had a passion to see this project to a final worthwhile conclusion and their efforts bear fruit. Visitors can enter the mill free of charge of by prearrangement pay a small amount for a guided tour. Alternatively, for just a few pounds more, visitors can actually try their hand at weaving on the ancient machines. www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk 

Once afloat we steer a course on downstream towards the impressive Carron Bridge, designed originally to carry the main roads and the Speyside railway now still carries the road and the Speyside Way, since sadly in the 1960's the Speyside line fell victim to the axe wielded by Dr Beeching in his rationalisation of eth British Railway system. Having admired and drifted silently beneath the much photographed Victoria Bridge ~ a white painted, metal suspension footbridge ~ we stop at 'Sandy Hole' where we park our craft and walk towards the bustle of Aberlour's attractive village green ~ and into the cosy Pantry for some lovely hot soup.

Within 25 minutes of casting off from Aberlour we have passed below the huge warehouses of The Macallan and reach my favourite bridge on the Spey, the wonderful structure designed by Thomas Telford. Apart from the impressive arching span of the bridge the castellation at either end of the span are stunning.

From the bridge we walk the short distance from the river towards the grand frontage of the Craigellachie Hotel. Entering by the hotel's very sensible 'Sportsman's Entrance' we remove wet footwear and hang them in the warmth of the basement room we have entered. At the Craigellachie Hotel the welcome is as warm as the  cosy, comfortable bedrooms ~ many with a great view towards the Telford Bridge. Internationally famous is the Craigellachie's whisky-bar with the walls literally creaking with shelves loaded with all manner of whiskies ~ mainly from Speyside but others from around the world. Dinner in the Craigellachie Hotel is served in the stunning upstairs dining room, whilst the very ample breakfast is in another smaller room at ground level. http://www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com/OurHotels/Craigellachie

Last day on the river takes us through some of the Spey most expensive and most productive salmon fishing pools. Delfur estate in particular has a over the years landed some of the Spey's biggest monsters ~ pools with names of 'Holy Bush' but particularly 'Two Stones' have yielded salmon of up to 48 pounds. Once again only a few fishers on the banks as we quietly pass by. All anglers encountered were friendly and helpful to us in our passage downstream towards Fochabers and the Moray Firth. Soon we are gliding under the busy bridge on the main road through Mosstodloch and Fochabers. Hereafter to the sea, the channels of mainly shingle and peppered with the skeletal remains of large trees ripped from the riverbank in spate conditions.

Once through beneath the metal lattice-work of the Garmouth Viaduct, we are close to Tugnet and the rollers of Spay Bay, where the fresh meets the salt. The Spey is unique in that it is the only major Scottish river to confluence at a rural location ~ most others before gifting their waters to the sea travel through towns ~ e.g. the Tay through Perth and Dundee.

Once again i would thank all those credited above who helped make this Spey Journey so successful. Thanks also to the staff at the Spey Bay Whale and Dolphin Centre for allowing us to park our vehicle safely in their carpark for 4 days.

Having now completed in excess of 140 Spey journeys I still feel strong emotions when I arrive at Spey Bay. Clients voice great satisfaction having spent 3 or 4 days paddling this beautiful river and arrival at the sea is a great achievement. Once all canoes and canoe equipment is loaded up in the waiting vehicle then we head back up the route of our lovely river ~ home to Newtonmore, at the top end of Speyside ~ where Lady Spey is still but a mere young lassie.

Whisky Writers' Spey Journey - Part 1

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing the majestic Spey with a charming group of enthusiastic whisky writers. The group included London-based Alwynne Gwilt (@themisswhisky); from Falkirk, Nicola Young (@thewhiskyboys) and writing for the Scottish Malt Whisky Society magazine 'Unfiltered' ~ Fiona Russell (@fionaoutdoors). 

Also, taking part in this special journey, providing great support and depth of malt-whisky knowledge to the venture was The Balvenie UK Ambassador, Andrew Forrester (@balvenienotes). Andrew and I have worked together for some time now and he has accompanied me on the river on previous media trips. (Indeed Andrew’s own Stag Weekend in the autumn of 2011 was a ‘spiritual’ canoe journey on the Spey!)

Some travelling by train and others by road the writers’ group gathered in Speyside on the afternoon of Tuesday 9th April at our Victorian home The Beeches, here in Newtonmore. On the first evening the group were treated to a sumptuous ‘whisky-dinner’ which included ‘Fiddich Prawns’ and Shetland Salmon in a Balvenie cream-sauce. Then, sitting in front of a roaring log fire the writers were treated to a full, unabridged Andrew Forrester Balvenie tasting ~ delivered, as always with an obvious passion for the handcrafted expressions being explored and savoured by those present.

The week previous had produced in Scotland some record breaking high temperatures and I had hoped the writer's group could experience the lovely Spey in stunning sunshine, with the new voyageurs perhaps wearing shorts and t-shirts. However, this was not to be the case. Temperatures dropped, snow fell and, on our first morning,~ canoes and all kit loaded everyone was padded up in cosy fleeces as we headed towards our starting point at Knockando, in the shadow of the ghostly buildings of the presently deserted, soon to reopen, Tamdhu distillery.

Canoes unloaded and carried to the riverside, as we packed into the boats the food barrel and dry-bags for personal kit, Lady Spey smiled warmly as the clouds cleared and we were bathed in spring sunshine for at least half an hour. The brightness continued as we slipped our canoes into the clear Spey waters and stayed with us through the iconic Knockando fishing pools including Slioch, Vrennan, Island Rory and Craigsteel. The water levels were fairly low for the time of, meaning that a great many large stones were peeping above the water’s surface, requiring paddlers to be vigilant and react quickly to avoid striking the rocks. However, now on the water, with a pot-pourri of basic strokes learned, even those that had not canoed previously were becoming masters of their craft and any initial apprehensions had dissipated. 

The group weathered well the turbulent fast water if the exciting rapid oddly named ‘millionaires’. Next major feature high on the bank river left, glowering down upon Lady Spey is the austere form of Imperial distillery, mothballed several years ago and its derelict brick buildings giving the impression of an urban Victorian factory, even workhouse rather than a rural Highland distillery. However, the dower demeanour of the Imperial brick facade is soon forgotten as we round the next bend to be confronted by the fine steel spanning arches of the very attractive Carron Bridge. Once carrying the main road and also the Speyside railway – a major transport artery savagely slashed by Dr Beaching in the 1960’s – this fine bridge still carries the road but now instead of trucks laden with whisky, cattle, barley, even passengers its subsidiary roe is to offer walkers an elevated view of the majestic Spey as she flows swiftly below. The buildings hidden from the river at this time of year with the trees having no leaves one can sometimes see wisps of steam and smell the aroma emanating from the dark grains production unit attached to Diageo’s Dalluaine distillery. Along with a handful of other such processing plants, draff the spent husks of the barley taken from eh mashtuns and pot ale, the slurry draw from the bottom of the still are mixed together and formed into cattle feed – very little is wasted in eth production of the golden elixir we call whisky.  

With mysterious Carron House nestled above her fine lawns river right, my groups are always impressed by the fairytale like appearance of Laggan House standing proudly on its elevated position river left. Very soon we are in view of the picturesque Victoria Bridge which heralds our approach to Aberlour. On the hills beyond we can see the modern warehouses of The Macallan ~ looking rather more like James Bond installations, than whisky bonds!

A little further downstream, with the fine Victorian white-washed elegance of the Craigellachie Hotel ~ our home for that night, my paddlers are enraptured by the attractive span and castellated towers of Thomas Telford’s brilliantly engineered bridge. All this ~ and it’s only lunchtime on day one!

Part 2 will be posted soon .....