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episode #17: The packrafting Life podcast
Callum Lewis started Packrafting Scotland just a couple years ago with friend Jack Christian, to fill a growing niche and because every day on the river is a great day. In episode #17 we chat about how, when and why he started his new guide service. We explore the various rivers on which they guide, along with big adventures Callum plans to do on the rivers and lochs of Scotland. And we laugh a lot about Scottish slang, Scottish weather (you can have four seasons in one day… sounds like Colorado) and all the great things about Scotland (there are a lot).
Find Packrafting Scotland online at PackraftingScotland.com or on Instagram @packraftscotland.
Interview HIghlights
This is episode 16 of The Packrafting Life podcast, hosted by Lizzy Scully of Four Corners Guides. She interviews Callum Lewis, owner of Packrafting Scotland, based just north of Perth.
Callum’s background
He first encountered packrafts while working in New Zealand in 2016 and got hooked while doing packrafting and canyoning in Japan in 2018. He’s been kayaking since he was 16. He runs the business with his partner Jack, and they met Lizzie’s husband Steve at a Rescue 3 / IRF packrafting course in Slovenia.
Packrafting in Scotland
Scottish rivers tend to be narrow and technical (what Americans call “creeking”), though some bigger-volume rivers like the River Tay, the Finthorn, and the Orchi come alive with good water levels. Callum uses a local app called “Where’s the Water?” linked to SEPA gauges rather than CFS measurements. He’s based centrally enough that nearly every major Scottish river is within 2.5 hours.
What Packrafting Scotland offers
The business is roughly in its second real operating year. They run guided trips on rivers ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3, with the River Tay and River Ericht being highlights. Clients come from the UK, Europe, and even the US — including an American family connected to the ACA. Almost everyone who tries a packraft ends up buying one.
Multi-day adventures
Callum has 14+ multi-day missions planned, combining lochs and rivers. He’s also planning a two-week self-supported crossing of Scotland (hoping for September), with about five days of hiking and the rest on water.
Best time to visit
April (for snowmelt) and October are ideal for whitewater. Flat-water trips can be done year-round. He warns visitors to bring bug spray for the infamous Scottish midges, especially on the west coast in calm weather.
Practical tips for visitors
He recommends trying a packraft before buying, consulting a guide to find the right boat for your goals, reading the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and being aware of new fire bans starting April 1st in certain areas.
