Friday 23 May seen a busy day on the river with local schools. Buckhaven School, Westhill Acedemy and Mardras College were all out on the river having a Splashing good time. The sun as always was out and stayed out for the whole bank holiday weekend.

All the young people seemed to have a great time both on and in the water!!

OK,  so the water has dropped. Due to the great sunny weather we are experiencing the River Tay is getting lower.  What this means for you, our clients,  is more time on the water to soak up the rays and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Also a great educational opportunity to pick your guides brains about local subjects of interest and the abundance of flora and fauna. When asked, “What was the best thing about your trip?”  one couple replyed,

“Falling in! Standing up in the raft and running around it, chasing someone I didn’t even know,  Mental”.

Nothing to do with nature but it seems not everyone minds the cold water when the sun is shining! 

Now that the water is not snow-melt, it has actually warmed up a little,  just a little though! Most people are still very glad for all the equipment they are issued with here at SPLASH. A full Wetsuit layer (a ‘long jon’ on the bottom and a jacket on the top). A splash jacket to keep the wind off. A Bouyancy Aid. And to top it all off a helmet. (More to protect you from the other folk in the raft when the horse-play and games start!).

The sightings of great wildlife continue on every trip too. Just this morning an Osprey plucked a tasty trout from the river right in front of one of the rafts! Right under the noses of the fishermen on the banks.  How I laughed! Summer trips are enjoyed by all and its a great time for a family outing on the river.

High praise indeed for our most ’senior’ (old man) river guide this week. It seems that Rod Websters uncanny knack to pick up on the mood and ability of his clients has been finely tuned! Steve and Canyon Kev get a ‘Big-Up’ too for keeping the banter flowing and the laughter loud. After returning from their river trip on the Mighty River Tay . Kevs crew said,

“Thanks for a great day out. Shame it had to end!”

Whilst one of Rods crew commented on the beauty of the scenery, and finished with,….

“I loved the feeling of being in the wild, going so fast and not using fossil fuels! Nothing about Rods leadership could have been better. He judged the mood accurately and kept us laughing…………. I would love to come back!”

It seems everyone and everything is getting a kick out of the warm weather. All the trees are looking green again after the Scottish winter. Those with a keen eye will spot the varied bird life on the river and its banks. Oyster Catcher, Lap-wing, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Buzzard, Osprey, Sparrow hawk, Pied Dipper, and the penguin-like Little Orc have all been seen in the past few days! Rafting provides a great way to see everything from a different perspective! We are often privileged to a glimps of Otters playing, Red Squirrel searching for food and even North American Mink, no doubt after the eggs of some ground nesting bird!

A great experience for Children and Adults alike !!