Canoe Foundation Boosts Scottish Paddle Sport Projects with £12,000 of funding

Here at the Canoe Foundation, our mission is to improve places to paddle and enhance access to the UK’s waterways. With that in mind, we have recently allocated funding to three innovative projects across Scotland. The grants, totalling £12,000, are set to breathe new life into Aberdeenshire’s rural landscape. Additionally, they will also revitalise historic access points on the beautiful Isle of Bute. Finally, they will ensure safe navigation along the inaugural Tweed Valley Canoe Trail in the Scottish Borders. Read on to find out about the Canoe Foundation Scottish Funding!

1. Huntly Development Trust, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: new Watersports Pavilion and path regrading: £7,500

The largest portion of the Scottish funding, £7,500, has been earmarked for the Huntly Development Trust in Aberdeenshire. This ambitious community organisation is spearheading the creation of an outdoor adventure centre at Greenmyres Farm, near Huntly. The funding will support the construction of a waterside pavilion and footpaths, transforming a large pond into a base for introductory-level paddlesports.

Donald Boyd, Joint General Manager of Huntly Development Trust says: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the very generous funding offer from the Canoe Foundation. As an ambitious community organisation, we are working hard to make our small market town and its rural catchment in the Northeast of Scotland a better place to live, work and visit. One of our key current projects is the creation of a family-friendly, introductory-level outdoor adventure centre to serve all in our community, as well as visitors. With the aid of the Canoe Foundation funding, we plan to turn a large pond into a base for beginners in all kinds of paddlesport. The Canoe Foundation funding will go towards construction of a pondside paddlesports pavilion and the regrading of paths to make sure the pond becomes accessible to all.”

Above Left: Greenmyres Pond with Paddle Boards and Right: an Artist’s impression of the new pavillion

2. Kingarth and Kilchattan Improvement Committee, Isle of Bute, Scotland: Slip Restoration: £4,000

Meanwhile on the tranquil Isle of Bute, the Kingarth and Kilchattan Improvement Committee is celebrating a £4,000 grant for the restoration of a historic slip near Kilchattan Bay village. Once vital for launching small crafts, the slip fell into disrepair but will now be revitalised, providing safer and more convenient access for water enthusiasts.

Finlay Martin and Mark Gunston of Kingarth and Kilchattan Improvement Committee say: “We are delighted to receive funding from the Canoe Foundation toward the restoration of the old slip which was historically a focal point for water activity in the village. Kilchattan Bay on the Isle of Bute, off the west coast of Scotland, is a tranquil and safe bay which is becoming increasingly popular with canoeists and paddleboarders. The restored slip will benefit locals and visitors by providing improved and safer access to the water for paddlers wishing to enjoy the beautiful waters of  Kilchattan.”

Above: the old slip at Kilchattan Bay

3. Go Tweed Valley, Tweed Valley, Scotland: safety/positive behaviour signage for new canoe trail: £500

Finally, in the Scottish Borders, Go Tweed Valley is gearing up to launch the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail, covering a scenic 30-mile stretch of the River Tweed. A grant of £500 from the Canoe Foundation will support the installation of safety and positive behaviour signage along the trail.

Lindsay Quayle, Project Officer at Go Tweed Valley says “We are hugely grateful to the Canoe Foundation for their contribution towards the first official canoe trail in the south of Scotland. The Tweed Valley Canoe Trail is a project that will connect paddlers of all abilities to the built places and natural landscapes shaped by the great River Tweed – and undoubtedly attract more people to the wonderful sport of canoeing. The grant from the Canoe Foundation will provide a valuable boost to our navigation aids and interpretation signage along the 30-mile stretch of trail.”

Above Left: Paddling under Cardrona Bridge. Credit: Biggar Adventure. Above Right: Paddling under Tweed Bridge, Peebles. Credit: Marc Marshall Photography

These projects reflect a shared commitment to improving places to paddle and preserving Scotland’s natural heritage. With the support of the Canoe Foundation, communities across the country are harnessing the power of paddle sports to enrich local life and attract visitors to Scotland’s stunning landscapes. We would like to thank our friends at Paddle Scotland (formerly the Scottish Canoe Association) for all of their help and guidance with our new Scottish projects. Tapadh leat!

Congratulations to all our newly awarded Canoe Foundation Scottish Funding recipients! We can’t wait to see the positive impact our funding will make in the coming months and years.

As a charity, we rely on donations to continue supporting grassroots groups that enhance physical access to paddle sports across the UK. Please consider contributing a one-off or regular donation to the Canoe Foundation. Your support helps ensure sustainable and accessible waterways and coastlines for everyone in the UK. Thank you for being part of our mission to improve places to paddle!