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Watersports in Scotland

Scotland is a great setting for sailing and watersports of all kinds and has well-developed watersports facilities with centres in many parts of the country from sea kayaking around Barra in the Outer Hebrides to wind-surfing on Loch Ken in Galloway. Instruction and equipment hire are generally available at watersports centres such as The Scottish National Sports Centre.

Some water sports need calmer water than others– such as water skiing, practised on major water bodies such as Loch Lomond, Loch Earn or Loch Tay, amongst others. The opposite is true for white-water or river rafting, and also white-water river running by canoe, offered by a variety of activity operators, where places like Grandtully on the River Tay, or Glen Orchy offer challenging waters.

Sea kayaking is another popular watersports discipline, where local knowledge is important. Barra, Skye, Applecross, Rhiconich are some of the hotspots.

Windsurfing can be enjoyed both on salt water and on inland waters, with several operators offering tuition. Tiree has been the setting for the British Windsailing Championships.