Scotland | Scouts

Class C waters

Class B1 waters

Class B2 waters

Class B3 waters

Class A waters

Notes

Last updated – prior to November 2024

Class C waters

Class B1 waters

Dunalastair Water: All Water
Firth of Forth: Enclosed Harbours, Sheltered Beaches and Natural Outdoor Pools
Kinghorn Loch: All Water
Loch Freuchie: All Water
Loch Gelly: All Water
Loch Ore: Up to 200m from shoreline
Loch Faskally: All Water
Loch Leven: Up to 200m from beach at Kirkgate Park
Loch of Lowes: All Water
Monikie Reservoirs: Up to 200m from shoreline
Peppermill Dam: All Water
River Earn: All Water
River Forth: Enclosed Harbours, Sheltered Beaches and Natural Outdoor Pools
River Isla: All Water
River Tay: Loch Tay to Aberfeldy (excl Chinese Bridge, nr Taymouth Castle)
River Tay: Below Grandtully rapids to Perth (excl. Campsie Linn and Thistlebrig)
River Tay: Friarton Bridge to Elcho Castle - Seggieden
River Tummel: Linn of Tummel to Loch Faskally

Class B2 waters

Class B3 waters

Firth of Forth: Beyond 1 mile from shore (see Notes)
North Sea: Up to 1 mile from shore
River Tay: Grandtully White Water Course to Weir (4^th drop below Grandtully Bridge) Δ
River Tay: Campsie Linn Δ
River Tay: Thistlebrig Δ
River Tay: East of Tay Bridge
River Tummel: Dunalastair Water to Loch Tummel
River Tummel: Loch Tummel to Linn of Tummel

Class A waters

Notes

Δ These named rapids on the River Tay can all be portaged
The Firth of Forth runs from a line between Elie Ness and Fidra extending to the Forth Bridges, west of the bridges is the River Forth.
Shipping channels on the River Forth and River Tay are considered more dangerous waters. If crossing a shipping channel, cross at 90° and do not stay for longer than necessary.
Rosyth Naval Dockyard in the River Forth has restricted access and an exclusion zone around it.
There is a 100-metre exclusion around Braefoot Marine Terminal when a vessel is docked.
Reference Admiralty North Sea (West) Pilot, NP54 and Admiralty charts for more detailed information.
For the definitions of Sheltered Waters (B1), refer to British Canoeing’s Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance. Tides & weather may dictate a higher classification.
Local advice should be sought regarding natural areas, including conservation and bird nesting sites, and environmental concerns, for example blue/green algae (cyanobacteria).
Areas on small lochs that are more than 200 metres from the shore should be considered B2.
Useful details on river sections can be obtained on UK Rivers Guidebook.
Sections of waters that are designated at a higher classification should avoided or be portaged around.

Last updated - 10/02/25 - Regional Programme Team

Class C waters

Class B1 waters

All waters up to one mile offshore except for south coast from Kilpatrick Point to Dippen Head
River Annan (from source to Cochran's Boiler Works 200 metres from the mouth)
River Esk (from the source to a line from Kirtle River to Sarkfoot Point)
River Nith (from New Comnock to Ellock Bridge. From Mennock to half a mile upstream of Glen Airlie from Drumlanrig Bridge to Clen Caple)
Cree Estuary (from mean HWM downstream to a line from the south bank of the River Bladurch to Carsluith Quay)
Dee Estuary (from mean HWM to a line drawn west from Mutehill)
Rivers Cree Dee and Urr
White House, Auchenaurn and Orchardton Bays
Loch Dee
Fleet Estuary (from the mean HWM OST downstream to a line from the Nook to the southside Dalavar Bay)
Garliston and the Isle of Whithorn Bays
Loch Ken
Solway Firth (upper reaches)
River Urr Estuary (from the mean HWM OST to Glen Isle Point)
Cree Estuary (from mean HWM to a line from River Bladnock to Carsluith Quay)

From 1 April to 15 October:

Class B2 waters

All waters up to one mile offshore except for south coast from Kilpatrick Point to Dippen Head
River Nith (Ellock Bridge to Mennock at low water; half a mile above Glen Airlie to Enterkinfoot at low water)
Cree Estuary (from the lower B1 limit downstream to a line from Innerwell to Kirkdale Point)
Dee Estuary (from the lower B1 limit downstream to a line from Carrick Point to Moss Yard)
River Urr (Urr Estuary downstream to a line from White House Bay to Port Donnach including Rough Island)
Luce Bay (from Port William to Drunmore up to one mile offshore)
Loch Ryan (south of a line drawn west from Cairnryan)

From 16 October to 31 March:

Class B3 waters

Coastal waters between Kilpatrick Point to Dippen Head
All other waters between one and three miles offshore
All rivers when in spate
All harbour areas from 16 October to 31 March
Ayr Harbour (inside breakwaters)
Irvine Harbour (entrance and commercial areas)
Ardrossan Harbour (inside breakwaters)
Largs Channel (between lines from Portachur Point to Hunterston power station and Tomont End to mouth of Noddsdale Burn)
Loch Doon
River Nith (from Ellock Bridge to Mennock in high water; from Enterkinfoot to Drumlanrig Bridge in normal conditions)
River Nith (Mennock Rapid from a quarter of a mile above Glen Airlie to Drumlanrig Bridge in high water)
Solway Firth (from Southerness to Eagerness Point up to three miles offshore unless otherwise classified)
Coast (from Innerwell to Isle of Whithorn up to three miles offshore)
Luce Bay (from Port William to Drunmore from one to three miles offshore)
Loch Ryan (south of a line drawn due east from Milleur Point)

Class A waters

Solway Firth (from Southerness to Eagerness Point more than three miles offshore)
Coastal waters more than three miles offshore

Notes

The River Nith is not passable between Enterkinfoot and Drumlanrig Bridge in low water conditions. Before using the River Nith for canoeing the county Programme Team and the factor at Buccleuch Estates Ltd should be contacted as there is extensive fishing on this river
Solway Firth (east of a line from Allonby to Southerness no boating due to shifting sand banks and high tidal range except for cruising access to ports when 'A'
No boating east of Southerness, except for access to ports in an emergency

Last updated – prior to November 2024