ThePADDLER 100
Face masked , hand sanitised and windows open , we headed to Aviemore and the put-in – what marvellous service . On the water and travelling downstream for 10.30 , after a relaxed and smooth journey from Spey Bay – that ’ s service for you and way ahead of previous home-grown shuttles !
We chose to run the river in the autumn , hoping for the right water level and a peaceful journey . Paddling in the closed fishing season as a mark of respect for the tolerant fishing fraternity , we headed downstream in quiet solitude .
The trip went well , as it rained and rained and rained and each day , for some unknown reason , as our confidences increased , so did the water ! Just perfect for this experienced and intrepid Cumbrian group of hardy open boaters .
FISHING CABIN
After two outstanding wild camps , “ Taking nothing and leaving nothing bar muddy footprints ,” we started to look for a suitable bankside site to stop and dry ourselves , and our sodden tents out before nightfall and the rain started again . By luck , as we rounded a corner at Rock Pool on the Ballindalloch Castle beat , the sun came out , so we immediately pulled up by a fishing cabin with a large veranda . A perfect spot for our well practised ‘ Chinese laundry ’ techniques .
On reflection , dressing up a veranda of a private cabin like a Christmas tree may not have been the best thing to do or the best way to win round the local riparian landowner .
However , after a visit from the Factor of Ballindalloch Estate , an explanation about drying out and an apology for dressing up the cabin like a Christmas tree , we were allowed to stay encamped on the river bank . With a request to clean up after ourselves and a promise to leave the site as we found it – you could not have asked for better .
The Factor was concerned that his employer , who lived in the big castle through the woods , would need to be informed of the uninvited travellers camping on his land . We parted company amicably , with some disbelief of our actions as uninvited trespassers !
RIPARIAN LANDOWNER
An hour later , another 4x4 arrived at the cabin ! Out jumped the driver , who introduced himself as Guy McPherson-Grant , the riparian landowner and distillery owner . He had come to , “ Meet us , not beat us ,” and professed to be interested in meeting the first group in living memory to have been brazen enough to camp in front of the cabin and use its veranda to dry out ! Explaining , “ No apology required ,” he made it clear how the cabin is central to visiting fishermen ’ s enjoyment and thus crucial to the local visitor economy . Our mouths opened ( briefly ) in disbelief .
We were all ‘ gob smacked ’ and humbled at Guy ’ s welcoming approach , attitude and warm hospitality , asking us to take shelter under the veranda as the weather was about to break again , with heavy rain predicted for the night !
As the morning broke – wet and grey – we received two visits from a groundsman , who commiserated about the volume of rain during the night and emphasised how comfortable his evening was in front of the TV and log fire ! He returned and insisted in taking our rubbish away and enjoyed the craic with us all .
LAWS OF ACCESS
My interest to research how this exemplary arrangement has been achieved on the River Spey has led me to extended conversations with David Craig and the retired ( Godfather ) SCA Access Team Lead on the Spey because although the laws of access and trespass are different in Scotland , it did not feel like this was the only reason for such a welcome .
In a nutshell , despite law differences , the Spey arrangements have been achieved by regular , personal engagement between the access team , Estates ’ owners , Gillies and fishermen and women . The aim has been to work together and ‘ share with care ’ the River Spey ’ s fantastic resource for all .