Scottish Rivers
...aka the Opinionated Guidebook...
Scotland provides an abundant supply of all kinds of river, from the steep creeks to wide, meandering valley channels. As I am based in Glasgow, most of Scotland is accessible with just a few hours drive. The lists below split the rivers into sections of difficulty and are in order of (roughly) how much I enjoy them.
| Upper Moriston |
A creek in Scotland renowned for its difficult rapids. Three principal drops exist, all requiring speed, maneuverability and a well timed boof! For me, the trickiest section of this river is actually the rapid with the curling wave which lies between the first and second drop. Only the sheer distance of this river from civilazation prevents me from returning on a more regular basis. |
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| Etive (Dalness) | Of all the sections of this magnificent creek, this is by far the most challenging. Opening with a nice drop after a shallow run in, the next rapid is the hardest of the run: the Slot. This is regularly a portage or an opportunity to get wet all over for even the most experienced paddlers. Next up, T-junction requires a hard left boof and some paddling takes you down to the last rapid: Dalness Falls. Don't go left (you'll land on shallow rocks), and roll-up quickly if you capsize (undercut rocks on the righthand bank) and all will be well. |
| Middle Etive |
One of the most famous rivers in Scotland. Its scenic drops with calm waters below make it a wonderful river to paddle no matter how much water is about. |
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| Leny | The Leny is a lovely, if rather short river. It can roughly be split into three sections: the 2/3 section above the falls, the grade 5 Falls of Leny, and the 3/4 section below the falls. It's rather continuous nature makes it better for smaller, more experienced, groups. |
| Upper Tummel |
A dam controlled river in the east of Scotland, the Tummel is in two halves: the upper is less paddled as it has a smaller catchment area for water. There is a high grade four rapid about halfway down the run, which is brilliant, and the slide at the end is an epic finish! |
| Lower Tummel |
The lower section of the river has one advantage over the upper - it's stunning gorge. This section contains Saw Mill Falls, S-bends and the Linn of Tummel, all significantly more difficult than the other sections of the river. Also it is pretty continuous when the dam is releasing, stepping up the skill required quite considerably. |
| North Esk |
Over by Dundee, the North Esk may not have the best location (sorry DUCC), but it makes up for it by having a good selection of short, sometimes tricky, rapids. |
| Pattack |
Somewhat of a rarity in rivers, the Pattack is in a very high up, very scenic gorge...and yet somehow still manages to both start and end with a significant drop (thought the 10m one at the start is certainly the more imposing and less paddled of the two). |
| Lower Nith |
This river is a forgotten gem of intermediate paddles. Fairly continuous grade 2 & 3 from start to finish at medium to high levels with a straight forward grade 4 towards the end for the trip leaders and the daring. The wooded gorge gives a misguided sense of isolation as the road is always nearby on river left. |
| Spean Gorge |
Virtually a rite of passage in my local club, the Spean Gorge is one of the few rivers where the hardest section gets harder in low water. With two grade 5's (Headbanger and Constriction) this is only an intermediate trip due to the ease of portages in low water, and the simplicity of the rapids in high water. However, the long paddle in and out of the river make it tedious when the weather is bleak. |
| Lyon |
I've only done this once, and when I wasn't paddling well or feeling well, so can't say too much about it beyond liking it. |
| Middle Orchy |
This is an excellent river to improve on. It has a large number of distinct rapids, ranging from easy intermediate rapids to a technical grade 5. The vast amount of flat water separating the rapids is ideal for collecting lost kit and/or people. However, when it gets high, these 'flat water' sections move fast enoughto wash kit down the next rapid. It's fantastic high - but not for those not on form! |
| Garry | A dam release river, the Garry is renowned for the surf waves it produces. However, it is regularly overlooked as an introduction to intermediate paddling, as the rapids are intimidating, but simple, and swims should be short and fairly painless due to collecting pools at the bottom. |
| Mousewater |
A nice little river running through Lanark. Don't bother with it unless it's been raining for nearly a week and Where's the Water looks like a red christmas tree. First rapid is really nasty (can get on below it), while a grade 4 half-way down has a tricky inspection point, but is significantly easier. |
| Allt a' Chaorainn |
This trib is a hidden gem, feeding into the bottom of the Middle Etive. It's basically four water slides, and can vary from a pleasant chute (with little water) to a raging torrent of a river depending on rain. |
| Upper Roy |
Nearly alpine in style, this river flows quickly with many eddies and few distictive rapids. Great fun though. |
| Arkaig |
A one hit wonder, and one of the easier intermediate rivers because of it. I'm not a fan of it though as there are far better rivers out there. |
| Awe |
Fun little run. Wee bit shallow. Tricky in high water. |
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| Upper Findhorn |
Similar to the Awe, but a lot further north. |
| Middle Findhorn |
Easier version of the Upper Findhorn. Two trickier, named rapids. |
| Upper Orchy | Water levels need to be epic for this short, bouncy river to be going. |
| Lower Orchy |
Classic beginners river with one testing section. |
| Middle Spean |
Nearly flat with one easy drop. |
| Upper Nith |
Can't remember this one too well: up-side-down a lot. |
| Upper Etive |
Fast and fun run when the Middle Etive is too scary. |
| Tay (Grantully) |
Slalom course - good for training river skills. |
| Tay (Kenmore) |
Very easy introductory river. |
| Tay (Stanley) |
Easy river with two wiers to surf on. |
| Tay (Aberfeldy) |
Classic beginner run, ends at Grantully for those who are good/brave enough to run "Boatbreaker" |
| Lugar |
Might be good if the Ayr is high. Crap when low. |
| Spey |
Basically flat. |
| Border Esk |
Swam this in spate, but apparently it's flat too. |
| Clyde |
No real rapids, but fern boating suffices. |
| Teith |
A long cold and boring pond. |
