Our latest Paddleboard adventure comes mainly thanks to driftwoodadventures! They kindly arranged the whole thing for us – which is important to us especially, as we were not sure of the tides/waves/weather and all the other things particularly associated with going out on a paddle board and braving the Forth Estuary!

What’s the big deal you may say! Well my husband had just told me a story about his Father during the 2nd world war. He was a stoker in the Royal Navy and spent a lot of time on convoy duty running up to the cold waters of Marmansk and Ark Angel with supplies for the Russians. So you may imagine, he was no stranger to stormy seas! However he told my husband that the worst storm they ever encountered was coming up the Forth Estuary!

Yes, believe it or not. All the main guns were torn from the decks, along with the depth charges which were fixed in cradles, and every other gun and armament they had onboard – even though they were bolted and welded down! Imagine….for all the storms and sea battles they had endured, they though they were done for just coming home up the Forth Estuary.

Yes…maybe this just increased my anxiety a tad…however it was all good. No storms no massive waves to contend with that could wash us overboard. I was a bit nervous about the seal population though! The thought of a fat seal trying to climb aboard kept me on high alert, but they seemed content to sun themselves on some Buoy’s further out in the estuary.

The day started off fantastic with some early sunshine and no wind worth the name. That soon changed however to a light breeze which rippled up the waves somewhat, but nothing that we could not contend with. Though it did make it a little awkward to get pics of the rail bridge (that’s my excuse anyway!)

There’s no doubt that keeping your balance on the Paddleboard in a tidal river was a bit more of a challenge than reservoirs such as Gladhouse, where we like to spend some time. However it’s all the more fun because of it! Trying to steady the board for long enough to get pics, whilst all the time the tide and the current are conspiring against you – well that’s a particular challenge for SUP in the Forth Estuary!

We kept an eye-out for the elusive bottlenose dolphins that frequent the area, but sadly they were a no-show – maybe next time though!

On a practical note…if you are planning a trip to South Queensferry and doing a river cruise (highly reccomended) or a paddleboarding trip. If you want to get parked-up next to the water, I would try and get there before 9:30 am.

Parking is FREE but somewhat limited especially in the summer season. If you get their late then you may have to endure a long walk because the only other parking is kerbside, as you leave the village on the way out.

For this reason we got there early and had a quick coffee and breakfast at the Railbridge Bistro, it’s a great place for excellent food and service – and spectacular views of the 3 bridges.

Well that’s it for our latest cruise update. Finally a HUGE thanks to Niall and Hugo and all the team at Driftwood Adventures! who can arrange all kinds of outdoor adventures for paddleboards, canoes, or even hiking shoes and ski’s!

It’s not our first trip with them, and like all the others, it has certainly lived up to expectations! We had a great time and look forward to the next trip.