Paddle the Scottish River Dee

A Paddler’s Guide and Tales of the Riverbank

Paddle-The-Scottish-River-Dee
BY: Jonathan Kitching
ISBN: 978-1-917182-05-8
EDITION: second
PUBLICATION DATE: 14 July 2026
FORMAT: 114pp in full colour, 210x148mm, paperback / section sewn
AVAILABILITY: coming soon

£18.00

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Publication date 14 July 2026 – Pre-order your copy now!

Originally published as The Scottish River Dee in 2025 now published by Pesda Press.

Paddle the Scottish River Dee is an immersive guide to one of Scotland’s most beautiful and least crowded rivers for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Flowing from the wild upper reaches of the Cairngorms to the sea near Aberdeen, the River Dee offers stunning scenery, rich wildlife, fascinating history and memorable river journeys for paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Written for river paddlers, explorers and lovers of Scotland’s outdoors, this detailed guide combines practical river knowledge with captivating stories, folklore and local history gathered along the riverbanks.

Inside this book you will discover:

  • 10 detailed river sections covering the paddleable River Dee from source to sea
  • Canoe, kayak and paddleboard guidance including rapids, river behaviour and access points
  • Ordnance Survey grid references and what3words locations for key launch and exit points
  • Historic tales and local folklore connected to bridges, ferries, fords, castles and settlements
  • Insights into salmon fishing, farming and Deeside life
  • Stories and observations from decades spent on the River Dee

Each section begins with practical information on river length, grade and access, followed by a detailed paddlers’ guide describing the river’s twists, rapids and notable landmarks.

The accompanying Tales of the Riverbank sections explore the deeper history and character of the Dee, sharing stories of people, places, traditions, ghost tales and forgotten ways of life that bring the river vividly to life.

Whether you are planning a multi-day river journey, searching for new paddleboarding adventures in Scotland, cycling the Deeside Way, fishing quiet pools or simply fascinated by Scottish rivers and landscapes, this book offers a unique companion to the River Dee.

All royalties from the book go to Friends of Anchor, an Aberdeen Cancer Charity.

Jonathan Kitching “JK” spent more than thirty years living and working in Deeside and became one of the best-known figures on the River Dee through his role as Paddle Scotland River Adviser. Founder of Aboyne Canoe Club and a passionate advocate for outdoor access, Jonathan dedicated much of his life to sharing his love of paddling, history and the natural environment. Following his death in 2023, friends and fellow paddlers completed this book in keeping with his original vision and unmistakable spirit of adventure, humour and curiosity.

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