White Water Rafting · Edinburgh
How to choose
All 3 tours run through Perthshire with Splash Rafting Limited, so the real question is which river and which craft matches your intensity threshold. The River Tay classic rafting session (53 €, 3h to 3.5h) is rated “Everybody welcome”, the lowest barrier to entry of the three. The Ducky excursion (54 €, 3.5h) swaps the group raft for a two-person inflatable kayak on the River Tay, bumping the physical demand to “Occasionally sporty” for roughly the same price. The River Tummel session (65 €, 3.5h) is the premium pick: a different river, the same “Occasionally sporty” rating, and an 12 € premium over the entry option. Choose River Tummel if you want a fresh stretch of whitewater and don't mind paying for it. Start with the River Tay classic if it's your first time on moving water.
Compare · 3 offers
Our picks
White Water Rafting on the River Tay from Aberfeldy, near Edinburgh
Rated “Everybody welcome” and priced at 53 €, it's the lowest barrier to entry on the River Tay.
White Water Rafting down the River Tummel, near Edinburgh
At 65 € for 3.5h on the River Tummel, this is the only option combining a different river system with an “Occasionally sporty” physical rating.
Frequently asked questions
How intense is white water rafting on the River Tay?
The classic group raft session is rated “Everybody welcome”, making it the most accessible of the three options. Expect fast-moving water and genuine rapids, but no prior experience is required. The Ducky and River Tummel sessions step it up to “Occasionally sporty”, meaning more physical paddling effort.
What's the most intense option available?
The River Tummel session (65 €) is the highest-intensity pick, rated “Occasionally sporty” on a distinct river system known for strong currents. The Ducky inflatable kayak excursion on the River Tay also carries the same “Occasionally sporty” rating but gives you more direct contact with the water, which many paddlers find more thrilling.
Is the Ducky excursion scarier than standard rafting?
Yes, for most people. Ducky kayaks sit you lower in the water than a group raft, so every rapid feels more immediate. The physical demand is rated “Occasionally sporty”, compared to “Everybody welcome” for the group raft. Both sessions last 3.5h, so the exposure time is the same.
What's the scariest moment during a white water rafting session?
On the River Tay and River Tummel, the most intense moments typically come at the named rapid sections, where the current accelerates and the raft or kayak gets genuinely airborne over standing waves. Your guide will brief you on paddle commands before you hit the water, so you know exactly when to brace.
Can beginners handle the River Tummel session?
It's rated “Occasionally sporty”, which means a baseline level of fitness and willingness to paddle hard helps. No prior rafting experience is needed, but it's a step above the “Everybody welcome” River Tay classic. If you've never been on whitewater before, starting with the entry-level River Tay session is the safer progression.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.9 °C | 117.4 mm | Poor |
| February | 2.6 °C | 100.2 mm | Poor |
| March | 3 °C | 88.2 mm | Possible |
| April | 5.9 °C | 84 mm | Possible |
| May | 8.8 °C | 85.6 mm | Possible |
| June | 13.3 °C | 67.8 mm | Good |
| July | 14.8 °C | 66.8 mm | Good |
| August | 13.3 °C | 87.3 mm | Good |
| September | 11.6 °C | 94 mm | Good |
| October | 7.9 °C | 105.6 mm | Possible |
| November | 4.3 °C | 111.5 mm | Poor |
| December | 3.7 °C | 81.1 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
All 3 sessions last 3.5h maximum, so pack a change of dry clothes for after, you will get wet. Wear secure footwear (old trainers work), and leave loose jewellery behind. For the “Occasionally sporty” sessions, a basic level of upper-body fitness makes paddling through rapids noticeably more enjoyable.
Getting there
Two River Tay tours meet at Splash Rafting Limited's base in Aberfeldy, Perthshire (Dunkeld Road, PH15 2AQ), while the River Tummel session meets outside the Scottish & Southern Energy Power plant (PH16 5NF), roughly a 1.5-hour drive north of Edinburgh via the A9.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Edinburgh
Updated September 2026