The Most Iconic Places You Must SUP in Scotland

If you’re a passionate Stand Up Paddleboarder and travelling to Scotland there are an absolute abundance of places you can SUP. It is certainly worth doing some research and planning your trip before you come. If you are limited on time and want to get the most out of your Scottish adventure you can combine some of the must see locations with a SUP session to experience this beautiful country from a whole new perspective.

We discuss some of the most epic and iconic locations throughout Scotland that you can experience by Stand Up Paddleboard. A special thanks to SUP Bloke for his talented photography of these beautiful locations!

Loch Ness

For so many people the first thing they think of when dreaming of Scotland is the epic Glens and Lochs. One of the most famous of these is Loch Ness. Loch Ness is one of the biggest Lochs in Scotland. It lies in the Great Glen which separates the Scottish mainland in two. What better way to experience this moody and atmospheric loch with it’s ancient castles and unfathomable depths than by a Stand Up Paddleboarding adventure? Who knows, you may even run into the enigmatic Nessie – the Loch Ness monster! 😉

• Check for conditions prior to visiting as the water temperature is extremely cold all year round.
• Join the Great Glen Challenge Endurance Challenge
• Paddle with a group on a tour

Glencoe

Glencoe is one of those special locations that you just have to experience. Having travelled Glencoe on numerous occasions in all seasons and weather I can safely say that Glencoe always delivers. There is something about this magnificent glen that leaves you speechless. Maybe it is the sheer size of the mountains as they dwarf all who traverse it. Possibly its the quickly changing weather and rolling mist. Most definitely it is the haunting history of the Glencoe Massacre which happening centuries ago. When travelling through this pass, make sure you factor in time to stop for a paddle. You won’t be disappointed.

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donnan is one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. It is also one of the most visited and is sure to be on everyones itinerary when visiting. The castle sits on an island close to the shores of a sea loch and so the water is tidal. No matter which angle it is viewed from you are sure to take a stunning photo of this stunning location.

The castles first incarnation was in the 13th century as a fortification to protect the coastline from the Vikings. The castle was ruined for many years until the early 1900’s. It was then rebuilt to the structure you can explore today. It has been the filming location of many movies some which may be familiar to you. When you visit, why not stop off and have a paddle to experience this beautiful castle from a unique perspective.

River Clyde – Glasgow

Many people visiting Scotland will pass through one if not both of it’s most well known cities. While Edinburgh ticks the tourist boxes with lots of better known attractions such as of the Edinburgh Castle, Hollyrood Palace and the Royal Mile to name but a few, Glasgow tends to be a city that rewards those who love to explore. I love Glasgow! I love the people, I love the many different facets it offers, I love the history!

One of the places that always fills me with awe is the Finnieston area. Here you have the famous Armadillo – Scottish cousin to the Sydney Opera House. There is the SSE Hydro – the futuristic UFO like concert venue (which recently made an appearance on the Will Farrell movie “Eurovision Song Contest”). And also there is the Finnieston Crane. This is an historic structure which you have to experience in person. In the early 1900’s the Finnieston Crane was used to lift huge steam trains onto ships to take them all over the world. These are just some of the many things you can see as you stand up paddle along the River Clyde.

Firth of Forth

This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t give some attention to the east coast and possibly the closest place you can stand up paddle to the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a truly beautiful city with so much to explore. It is a great size for you to experience on foot. In fact walking is the best option because navigating this ancient city by car is difficult to say the least, for the uninitiated driver.

If you visit the Edinburgh Castle which is the highest point within the city you will have a fantastic view of the Firth of Forth. A ‘firth’ is an inlet of water and it is where the River Forth flows into coastal waters. The Forth Bridge spans the Firth of Forth. Constructed began in 1882 and took 8 years to complete. The bridge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site still in use today. The quaint seaside village of South Queensferry at the bridges southern point is well worth a visit. Here you can launch your paddle board and explore this mammoth structure from an entirely different point of view. Check tides prior to departure.