Wind and Tides

The River Tay at Newburgh on a calm day. (Credit: Open Virtual Worlds)

The River Tay becomes progressively wider and more exposed to the elements as the paddler heads downstream. The river around Cairnie Pier (NGR, NO196191) and the Earn confluence is about twice the width of the river at Willowgate Café (NGR, NO130217), despite the two places being only 5 miles apart. The interaction of wind and tide at Cairnie Pier can be far more serious than at locations further upstream. Paddling on the lower reaches of the canoe trail, especially from Inchyra (NGR, NO184200) down to Newburgh (NGR, NO230185), is far more demanding and requires greater levels of ability, experience and judgement.