Paddleboarding spots in Argyll and Bute
121 launch spots across Argyll and Bute
Every mapped spot in Argyll and Bute
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Launch spots
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SeaLoch Staosnaig slipway (Scalasaig)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandA second, adjacent slipway node on the same stretch of Loch Staosnaig (Queen's Bay), a sheltered tidal bay on Colonsay's east coast a short walk south of Scalasaig. The bay is described as offering the best natural shelter on the island's east side, with views across to Jura.
RiverAwe Barrage
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis is a whitewater put-in on the River Awe at the Awe Barrage in the Pass of Brander, where a hydro-electric scheme releases a controlled flow down to Loch Etive near Taynuilt. A fish pass alongside the barrage allows spawning salmon through to Loch Awe.
LochAuchendarroch put-in (Tarbet)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway on the A82 at Tarbet gives access to Loch Lomond beside Auchendarroch. The ramp is signed with trailer, vessel-size and speed limits and a contact number for access. Under Loch Lomond's 2023 boating byelaws you must register as a user, or register your craft, before launching.
SeaAchnacroish slipway (east)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandA second unpaved slipway about 150 metres east of the main Achnacroish put-in, launching onto the same Lynn of Lorn shore of Lismore.
SeaLismore slipway (Kilcheran)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis second slipway lies around 60m from way/1177675620 on the same stretch of Lismore's southern shore, in the waters of Loch Linnhe near the Sound of Mull and Firth of Lorn junction.
SeaLismore slipway (Kilcheran)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway sits on the island of Lismore, near the southern settlement of Kilcheran, in the waters of Loch Linnhe close to where it meets the Sound of Mull and the Firth of Lorn. Lismore is reached by a car ferry from Oban to Achnacroish or a passenger ferry from Port Appin.
LochLoch Etive shore slipway, Ardchattan
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandA small slipway on the north shore of Loch Etive near Ardchattan, a few miles east of Connel. Loch Etive is a long sea loch whose mouth, at Connel Bridge to the west, forms the Falls of Lora tidal race; this stretch further up the north shore is quieter, single-track-road country with scattered private moorings.
SeaSanda Island slipway (Oitir Buidhe)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandA stone slipway on the Oitir Buidhe sand spit on the north shore of Sanda Island, a small privately owned island reached by boat from Southend or Campbeltown across the Sound of Sanda. Sanda has no public ferry and no usual residents; visitors generally land along the beach but are asked to stay clear of the owners' house and garden. Spring tidal streams through the Sound of Sanda run at several knots.
SeaLochdon slipway
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway is at Lochdon, a small settlement at the head of Loch Don on Mull's east coast, off the A849 between Craignure and Grass Point. Loch Don is a tidal sea loch that dries almost completely at low water, so launch conditions change sharply with the tide.
SeaTarbert put-in (Pier Road)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway lies on Pier Road in Tarbert, on the shore of East Loch Tarbert, the sheltered inlet of Loch Fyne around which the village grew as a herring-fishing port. Tarbert remains a working harbour and today hosts the Scottish Series yacht race and an annual seafood festival.
SeaFishnish slipway
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway sits inside the Fishnish ferry terminal on the Isle of Mull, roughly halfway between Craignure and Tobermory. Caledonian MacBrayne runs the car ferry from here across the Sound of Mull to Lochaline on the mainland, so the slip is shared with ferry traffic and a vehicle marshalling area.
SeaArduaine put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway forms part of Arduaine Jetty on Asknish Bay, the horseshoe-shaped inlet at the mouth of Loch Melfort. The jetty is used as a launch point for sea kayak tours, paddleboarders, divers and wild swimmers, and has dedicated parking for kayak trips.
SeaArduaine put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis is a second slipway structure at Arduaine Jetty on Asknish Bay, around 70 metres from the adjoining slip. Asknish Bay lies at the mouth of Loch Melfort and the jetty here doubles as a launch point for sea kayaks, paddleboards and wild swimming.
SeaArduaine put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway is on the coast south of Arduaine Point, facing Loch Shuna rather than Asknish Bay on the other side of the promontory. Loch Shuna opens south-west towards Shuna Island and on to the Sound of Jura.
SeaArduaine put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway is on the shore near a prehistoric dun (fortified site) south of Arduaine, on the Loch Shuna side of the peninsula. The coast here faces Shuna Island and the channel down towards Craobh Haven.
SeaArdtaraig put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway sits on the west shore of Loch Striven at Ardtaraig on the Cowal peninsula, near the head of the loch and the hamlet of Lochhead. Loch Striven is a sea loch about 13 kilometres long with deep, secluded water often compared to a Norwegian fjord, and a hydro-electric station opened at Ardtaraig in 1951.
SeaArdnagowan put-in (Inveraray)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandArdnagowan is a small shoreline settlement on Loch Fyne about two miles south of Inveraray, on the coast side of the A815. A slipway here belongs to the Argyll Caravan Park, free for park guests to launch and available to other visitors for a fee.
SeaArdnagowan put-in (Inveraray)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis second slipway sits a short distance from the first at Ardnagowan, on the Loch Fyne shore of the Argyll Caravan Park about two miles south of Inveraray. It gives further boat and paddlecraft access to the loch alongside the park's main launch point.
SeaArdlussa put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandArdlussa is a small estate settlement on the east coast of Jura, overlooking Ardlussa Bay on the Sound of Jura. A pier and slipway serve the settlement, historically part of the droving and ferry routes that once crossed to the Argyll mainland.
SeaArdfern put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway is at Ardfern Yacht Centre, at the head of Loch Craignish, a sheltered sea loch on the mid-Argyll coast that opens south into the Sound of Jura. The yacht centre charges a small fee to launch by car and also hires out paddleboards and kayaks from its waterside cafe.
SeaArdentinny put-in
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandArdentinny is a small village on the west shore of Loch Long in Argyll and Bute, within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The slipway sits on the village foreshore, giving access onto this tidal sea loch that runs from the Firth of Clyde up to the Arrochar Alps.
SeaPort Gallanach slipway
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway is at Port Gallanach, about two miles south-west of Oban on the Sound of Kerrera, the channel separating the mainland from the Isle of Kerrera. It shares its site with Puffin Dive Centre, which also runs guided stand-up paddleboard tours and hires out SUP boards.
SeaGallanach Road slipway (Balliemore)
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis slipway lies on Gallanach Road south of Oban, near the hamlet of Balliemore, on the Sound of Kerrera opposite the island of Kerrera. It is charted as a small-craft facility, distinct from the passenger ferry to Kerrera that departs further south at Gallanach itself.
RiverAllt Kinglass
Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThis access point sits on the River Orchy a short way north of Bridge of Orchy village, close to where the Allt Kinglass tributary joins the river before it drops through Glen Orchy toward Loch Awe. The Orchy here is a graded whitewater river (grade 3 to 5), paddled mainly by kayakers between October and March when rainfall keeps levels up.
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