Activity Holidays

Kincraig Inverness-shire PH21 1NU 01540 651 272 [email protected] From Easter to October holidays we have loads 1 of activities happening daily on & off the water. Well equipped with the high quality 5mm wetsuits & boots there’s nothing to stop you jumping in to the fun.

Water temperature rises quickly following spells of warm weather & by the end of May you might even swim in swimsuits.

Our Summer holidays have lots of activities happening daily with kids activity weeks for all ages.

RYA courses in Sailing & Windsurfing are also offered & Since1969 our paddle sports tackling the fun parts of the Spey.

Over fifty years ago Loch began with a wooden hut on the beach renting canoes and kayaks. Summer

Over the following years Clive and Sally Freshwater with a little help from some amazing staff built the facility you see today.

Their sons Duncan, Andrew and Jonny developed an aptitude for coaching, learning along side great instructors who have helped us over the years, together the family continue to drive the business forwards for the next generations.

Now in our 51st year we continue to tweak our well tried and tested formula coaching our team to deliver on 2 our mission to inspire, nurture, and master. Our sit on top kayaks are perfect to jump in and have a go whenever you like. Super stable 3 with minimal risk of capsizing, there’s no excuse not to give it a go.

Taster sessions are delivered in these easy to control boats off the exposed loch in our sheltered lagoon. You will learn the basics until competent to go for a short trip around the island and explore the loch and wildlife from this rewarding craft.

Then a quick balancing game to push the boundaries of your boat and inevitably get wet just before you come Canoeing in, great fun for all ages.

Canoes are incredibly accessible, two, three and four seat options mean anyone can give it a go. Kayaking

Canoeing tests communication, coordination and team work. After a two hour session most crews will be comfortably proficient to steer the canoe safely anywhere on the loch.

Head North East and explore the islands area downstream, keep an eye out for the Osprey Nest! Or find the canal to the South West and head upstream & explore the heart of the .

Entry level Kingussie to Loch Insh river trips run daily 4 more advanced sections can be tackled with a guide. If you are up for a greater challenge why not join us in navigating the best parts of the over five 5 action packed days from Kingussie all the way to Spey Bay some 74 miles downstream

Included in this trip is the opportunity to get back to nature with a full camping experience, stopping at a few special hidden gems and a visit to a local destilary along the route.

On the final night we’ll take you to the excellent Craigellachie Hotel to experience the best in local folk music with a huge range of local whisky to try, made from the water you have been paddling in all week. River Trips

The perfect relaxing day out, the Kingussie trip is suitable for anyone who can already paddle a canoe. This is a flat Spey Descent section of meandering river for ambleing down at your leisure.

Novices we recommend at least a one hour lesson before you tackle this on your own or join one of our guided trips and benefit from expert instruction all day.

River trips available daily. Departing at 10:00, 11:00, or 12:00 The trip takes around three hours on the river, although you can take all day if you wish, just return before 5pm.

Note: Weather on the day may cause us to cancel or 6 postpone trips in extreme circumstances. When it blows Loch Insh is blessed with a clean wind whistling down the valley creating one of the best 7 locations in the country to learn to windsurf.

A group lesson gives you the best start allowing plenty of time to get to grips with the basics. Our fleet of top equipment help you advance through the levels as quickly as possible.

More advanced courses run throughout the year from water-starting to freestyle & racing. Our coaches have huge experience & are eager to share it.

Islay Watson one of our home grown instructors won Paddle Boarding girls RSX Youth world championship in Austin, USA.

Stand up paddle boarding or S.U.P. is one of the easiest things we do. Our extensive range of inflatable Windsurfing boards are perfect for learning & exploring the loch or river.

Learn the correct techniques that deliver a relaxed core workout like no other.

Our Jumbo Paddle Boards are perfect for groups & families. We can fit 4 adults or 6 kids on each board and set up competitive races between the teams ensuing lots of laughs and a few dips in the Loch along the way.

For the ultimate Stand Up Paddle experience come and 8 join us at 7:30am for our SUP Sunrise Tour. A truly epic way to start the day, relaxed and invigorated. Whether you’re looking for the thrills of the Catamarans, or the challenge of mastering the 9 single handers, there is all sorts at Loch Insh. There is a lot to learn in a sailing boat, so before you can take one out yourself you are required to attended a two day level one course to learn the basics.

Weather permitting, students are taught in single handers, giving everyone hands on the tiller for speed in learning. When it’s windier we will use larger boats all together with the instructor.

Two more days brings you up to RYA level 2 is recognised internationally as a certificate of competence for hiring Sailing boats anywhere in the world. Sailing offers a wide range of possibilities, from relaxed family cruisers, to more challenging dinghies and Courses catamarans, there really is something for everyone.

Weather permitting, we will encourage you to use our single handers so everyone has a boat to themselves. For more cautious students, our keel boats offer a stable platform for a more gentle introduction to magical world of water based wind power.

Group lessons are great value. Share your learning experience and have a blast doing so. Instructors have the flexibility to use all the boats at our disposal to pitch the lesson at appropriate level for everyone.

Private lessons are also available just give us a call. Our wildlife guide will take you on a tour around the loch and explain all the species we enjoy and 11 their breeding patterns.

The tour changes throughout the year with different seasons making it an enjoyable visit every time you stop in.

Loch Insh has become a firm favourite for our returning Osprey. They have successfully bred here for the last 20 years.

The tour boat offers a great view to get some shots & sometimes we are treated to spectacular osprey versus prey Pond Dipping battles that can take up to an hour, Breathtaking.

Beneath the surface of the water, there’s an unseen Wildlife Tour world of amazing wildlife ready to be discovered.

Pond dipping is something we can all do and it’s loads of fun! There are all sorts of interesting creatures living in our ponds

What’s lurking in the depths of our ponds? Maybe a mysterious alien-like dragonfly nymph, or a great diving beetle perhaps.

Did you know Dragonflies have been around on earth for around 300 million years, some of the early species may have been the size of seagulls! 12 Loch Insh nestles in the foothills of Glenfeshie, surrounded by Inshriach wood.

13 A mile up the glen is Uath Lochans, a breathtaking, unspoilt beauty spot to really get back to nature. There is no more accessible place to witness the raw beauty & stillness the has to offer.

Take a guide with you to discover all the wonders of the woodland, including looking out for signs of Wildcats, Red Squirrel, Pine-martin, Badgers and the elusive Capercaillie.

We can also tailor sessions for bush-craft including shelter Mountain Biking building, safe fire lighting as well as basic survival skills.

We have thirty Diamondback bikes for all ages and sizes. Nature Walks Our staff will help you plan your ride plus trail maps and the local OS map available to purchase from our on site gift shop.

Our Mountain bike guides know exactly were to go to give you the best biking experience pitched at your level.

Sign up to one of our guided rides and learn some new tricks to optimise your riding, then push yourself down some hidden routes through our local nature reserve.

Bikes can be hired overnight giving you the opportunity 14 for awesome early morning rides. The best way to see some of the local wildlife such as deer. Team building is about building respect, communication, and accepting leadership 15 or indeed stepping up to lead.

Our mix of activities stretch then consolidate groups to help one another achieve the goal.

The session is a mix of active challenges & slower, thinking games, creating a diverse environment where everyone can get an opportunity to shine on the tasks they feel most confident with.

We can tailor the challenges to your team requirements Raft Building whether primary kids, teenagers or adult groups.

Join in one of our group sessions and play with other kids, Team Building design, build & try out your raft before taking a trip out on the loch, and finally challenge your friends to a race.

We can accommodate larger groups up to 35 kids at any one time all racing each other, give us a call to double check availability before you book.

Some things never change kids or adults, always love raft building and enjoying the carnage as it all falls to pieces.

Great for Birthdays or Team Building Exercise with larger 16 groups Raft Building is a great way to end your day. Our latest fun on the slope is Snow Tubing.

17 Great for a wee session to let the kids let off steam or as part of an activity day.

The kids must walk up the side of the slope before blasting back down on the tubes.

The fearless will enjoy bouncing over the jumps The more chilled will just enjoy flying down together.

Guaranteed to tire out any participants and help them sleep. Archery Great for a first night activity.

This skilful sport requires balance, poise, accuracy, timing and a good aim. Tubing Target Archery results in a great sense of achievement, and is fun for all the family to enjoy. An hours lesson teaches you all you need & finishes with a little light hearted competition.

Instructors are on hand to ensure that whether you are an experienced archer or its your first time picking up a bow, every body has a great time.

We offer private lessons from 6 years old or our group lessons can be joined from 8 years old. Have a great 18 introduction and leave with sense of achievement in your new found skills. Snowboarding is a little easier to learn on real snow. Working through the basics on the dry slope gives 19 a solid foundation in preperation for the white stuff.

Snowboarding has a steeper learning curve than skiing. The first few days will test your resolve, prepare yourself for the odd face plant, inevitably coming your way.

Persevere & with our expert instruction you can break through the falls stage & become able to get down most terrain safely & start working towards linking & even starting to carve turns. Skiing Make it to the end of the week and you’ll be hooked.

Loch Insh has the perfect, entry level 60m dry slope right next to the bar. Great entertainment & the best place to Snowboarding learn the basics.

1 After 1 /2 hour first lesson you should be able to descend our wee slope in some form of control. After a second lesson most will have mastered turning & be able to negotiate a basic slalom course.

For those wanting instruction in a mountain environment we hire instructors by the day through the winter & can use the near by resorts of The Lecht, Cairngorm & Nevis Range.

The best way to improve your skiing is to book on one of 20 our two day ski courses between January & Easter. The snow season really kicks of around Christmas. 21 Cairngorm & the Lecht ski areas within an hours drive. The dry ski slope is still the best place to learn the basics for an hour or so then off to the mountain to hit the slopes.

Loch Insh is one of the few places that have the flexibility to change our program to accommodate the weather.

Here the 50 years of experience really comes in handy as ’s unique weather puts up challenges each year.

Rest assured you’ll be best off booking with us for a Autumn guaranteed great time whatever the weather.

Water sports close down at the end of October. We are still open through the Autumn and Winter for shore Winter based activities including the dry ski slope.

November is an amazing month for peace & quiet, and as always stunning scenery, Check the website for the deals for a quick last minute break.

We welcome groups of artists at this time to enjoy the wonderful colours & use the quiet restaurant to do some painting.

Schools visits in the Autumn months focus more on dry activities of Skiing, Snowboarding Biking & Archery. 22 With Open Canoeing (dry) water sport option. Boasting one of the most spectacular views in the Highlands, we use where possible, the best locally 23 sourced ingredients to produce creative menus with home-style cooked food. Complimented by a wide selection of drinks & local hand-crafted beer and spirits.

Breakfast served from 8 am until 10 am Lunch is served from 12 noon until 4 pm Evening is served from 5 pm until 8pm (9pm peak season)

We do get exceptionally busy, please call to book.

Watch the sun go down in the evening whilst enjoying your Insh Hall a drink and a meal on the balcony weather permitting.

Whether you are into your outdoor activities and looking for a base to explore the Cairngorms, or just looking for a The Boathouse warm bed for you and your family for the night.

Breakfast is served in our Boathouse Restaurant. The Boathouse is also a fully licensed bar and restaurant, should you require lunch, an evening meal or some drinks.

Facilities include a large communal lounge including Tea & Coffee making & drying rooms for your wet gear. Free WiFi is also available throughout the centre, 24 although our remote location unfortunately means our internet connection is a little slow. Long summer nights enable Orienteering, Sailing, Canoeing, Wide Games, Shinty & Raft Building.

A disco or beach party rounds of the week, finishing with our edit of the action from the week on the big screen.

During the winter floodlights enable Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing on the dry slope as well as Archery & Football.

A torch walk in the woods is a new favourite, getting the kids out into our beautiful surroundings looking for signs of wildlife on the way to a local sculpture park of spooky faces.

Schools Inside we can offer egg drop, quiz, & film nights in the hall

Our program has evolved over the years to maximise activity time from the moment you arrive to the last Evening Program morning before you depart.

With so much on offer you can work with our Schools Coordinator to create a bespoke experience for your group to suit the time of year and your budget.

One group leader free for every 10 paying places. Prices are based on 10 guests up to a maximum of 140.

Teachers have been returning for years & say “the kids are on the go morning till night, there’s no time for them to 26 get up to mischief and they are to tired anyway” Think about everything you want your wedding to be, stunning Scottish scenery, hospitable staff, 27 superb food and a range of quality accommodation to cater for all your friends and family.

As well as offering the perfect setting, we have a variety of packages and prices to suit all budgets.

From smaller, intimate groups to larger parties up to 90, Loch Insh is your one stop destination for all your wedding requirements.

Please contact [email protected] to request a copy Gatherings of our wedding brochure & to arrange an on-site visit.

Whatever the occasion, let our 50 years of hospitality Weddings experience create a welcoming & homely venue to take time for family & friends in an outdoor playground for all ages.

We welcome all group sizes for one night to one week. We can feed up to 100 in the main Boathouse building or bigger parties could consider a marquee seating up to 250.

Let us build a package specific to your needs, including excursions to local attractions, airport transfers, just drop us a line and one of our team will put some ideas together for you. 28 Look forward to putting your feet up with a log burning stove or watch the sunset soak your weary 29 bones overlooking the loch in one of our hot tubs.

Check website for which chalets have hot tubs or stoves

The smaller more affordable 2* cabins are great for a wee family to enjoy our magnificent site. These cabins have a double room, a twin room & wee attic sleeping platform for a youngster.

For larger families, our 3* & 4* cabins are the best way to enjoy loch insh with bigger rooms & large outdoor Apartments living space for BBQ overlooking the loch.

Feshie Apartment gets the morning sun through the trees lovely big lounge great for hosting friends. Spey Apartment Chalets gets the sunset colours as it looks towards the loch.

Both apartments have a family room of a double bed and a bunk as well as a single room for a visitor.

Larger groups can book an apartment plus however many beds they need in the adjoining rooms then share the large lounge & kitchen for the group.

Both apartments have modern log burning stoves providing that authentic ski lodge feel and a 30 warm welcome whenever you visit. Take to the water for a silver or gold award & plan 31 your expedition with us in Canoes or Paddleboards. We are ideally situated to have easy access to some of the best expedition routes in the country.

Loch Insh can provide a package to fit your needs from training weekends to both practice and qualifying trips

We have mini buses to arrange logistics as well as a number of trainers and assessors we use to provide an amazing learning experience for the team leaving them well Duke of Edinburgh prepared for future adventures.

We have been affiliated with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme for 4 years now and offer a number of options. Expeditions

Residential trips for anyone just wishing to get away from home they can book onto one of our summer courses.

Work experience at Loch Insh is the full package with an experience in all departments over 5 days. Volunteers will have to pay for accommodation and food for the week or come in daily if staying locally. Guests have access to all the equipment on offer & are 32 encouraged to take part in activities with the rest of the team after work. We can build an experience to suit your needs as far as budget, numbers, challenge and length 33 of time from a couple of hours to full week programs

We have an amazing conference centre The Ptarmigan Dome, that can be hired for corporate events and used as a base for workshops or presentations.

We are happy to discuss requirements and use of other local businesses to help you provide exactly what you are looking for.

Call one of our team and start the conversation that might be Stag & Hens exactly what your business needs to inspire the team.

Many of our activities are perfect for an action packed day, often with some light hearted competition thrown in. Corporate

Start the day with a mountain bike ride around Glenfeshie or a sunrise paddle from 7:30 the best way to start any day.

A nice easy canoe through Insh Marshes Nature Reserve or for more of a challenge tackle the rapids downstream on a kayak or S.U.P.

Our Highland Games activity is a favourite afternoon of fun, with wellie throwing, shinty, tug of war and Caber tossing 34 Finish with a few hours on nearby Invereshie golf course and watch the sunset over the loch. Loch Insh is proud to invite applicants for our 10 35 month gap year Instructor Training Apprenticeship. Training takes place from September to April with a further 3 months work experience from Easter to June.

There is no better way to kick start a career in the outdoors than our intensive course, our unique location enables us to train candidates for winter sports as well as watersports, offering graduates wider opportunities, through both seasons.

Instructor qualifications: BASI Skiing, RYA Windsurf, & Dinghy, BCU Paddlesports & GNAS Archery, BCC Mountain bike Instructor Training leader awards plus BASP First Aid & RYA safety boat.

Our RYA training courses are a great first step into the Gap Year industry, our coaches develop your personal skills and an in depth introduction to effective teaching techniques. Apprenticeship Loch Insh has a wide range of state of the art equipment. Ensuring candidates get the best opportunity to excel during their course.

On shore we have some awesome teaching facilities & can work in comfort whatever the weather or time of year in our conference centre. 36 RYA Instructors must become an RYA member Arriving by car; follow signs for Loch Insh Watersports from the A9 exits at Kingussie 37 or just 6 miles either direction. has a low railway bridge with a clearance of 3.5 Meters. Aviemore The bridge over the Spey A9 North River Spey at Kincraig is restricted to 17 Tones. Rothiemurchas

Kincraig Getting Here Feshiebridge Loch We are close to Aviemore and Kingussie train stations. Insh Let us arrange a pickup for you if coming by train or bus. The Boathouse

Inverness Airport is closest to us under an hours drive away, or Accommodation Aberdeen and Edinburgh Airports are close to 3 hours by car. Kingussie We have mini buses available for transfers just let us know your Insh requirements when you book to see if we can help you get here A9 South If you are arriving by coach All the local amenities are 6 miles away in either of the two or camper van plan your villages, Loch Insh has a small gift shop selling some essentials route via the back road from Kingussie through Just a miles walk from loch insh is the beautiful village of the village of Insh or 38 Kincraig. The Old Post Office art gallery is lovely and Rothiemurchus through Feshiebridge. the other local bar ‘The Suie’ is open from five. Inspire Nurture Master

Inspiring generations over 50 years of expertise the Loch Insh family look forward to welcoming you