Paddle the Scottish River Dee

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.