River Orchy

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Kayaker surfing on a wave Kayaker surfing on the river Orchy Scotland.jpg
Kayaker surfing on a wave

The River Orchy (Scottish Gaelic : Urchaidh / Abhainn Urchaidh) is a river that passes through the village of Dalmally, Argyll in the West Highlands of Scotland. It rises in the Black Mount Forest, and flows southerly, passing through Loch Tulla and Glen Orchy before reaching Loch Awe. The hills of Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh, Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-liath are to the north and south; there are falls and islands within the river. Reachable by the A82 road, tourists partake in kayaking, whitewater rafting, and fishing. Recent gold mining exploration has occurred in one of the river's glens just outside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Contents

Etymology

The name Orchy may be ancient, and derived from Brittonic are-cētia meaning "on-wood" (c.f. Welsh ar-coed). [1]

Geography

Erosion potholes in bedrock River Orchy erosion potholes.jpg
Erosion potholes in bedrock

The Orchy rises in the Black Mount Forest where its waters within the Deer Forest include the Island Pool and the Elbow Pool. [2] After a run of 10 miles (16 kilometres), in which it receives the waters of several large burns, it expands into Loch Tulla. Between Loch Tulla and Loch Awe, the river runs for 18 mi (29 km). It passes through Glen Orchy in a narrow channel. At Dalmally Vale, the river spreads into wide shallows, accumulating on banks. At the point of a shingle island, the Orchy flows through a cultivated strath, about 1⁄2 mi (800 m) wide. The river merges with the waters of Loch Awe at Kilchurn Castle. [3]

View down Glen Orchy with the River Orchy in foreground River Orchy - geograph.org.uk - 1725563.jpg
View down Glen Orchy with the River Orchy in foreground

Above the Bridge of Orchy, the river water is shallow and stony. In the 5 mi (8 km) of the river before its falls, there are many angling streams and pools. At Bridge of Orchy, the river is accessible via the A82. [4]

The river's course changed in the mid 19th century. Prior to that, the river banks were protected, and the Orchy ran through Dalmally Vale through a narrow channel. As of 1884, the fields on the northern river bank extended farther south; and shingle island was a narrow strip of gravel with a small stream. When the banks were no longer protected, a large curve was cut away into an island, causing the river to extend farther and farther into the banks. Around 1900, a rough breakwater was built, diverting the current, and slowing the wear on the banks. The diverted current swept the gravel to either side of the island and into the bay to the south, causing it to fill with gravel. [5]

Eas Urchaidh waterfall on the River Orchy Eas Urchaidh waterfall on the River Orchy - geograph.org.uk - 1554077.jpg
Eas Urchaidh waterfall on the River Orchy
Falls and rapids

The falls of the Orchy are about 7 mi (11 km) from Dalmally, and are about 20 feet (6 metres) in height, forming almost a sheer drop. [3] On the right bank, a salmon stair or ladder has formed in the rock, going round the falls, enabling salmon to ascend. There are three significant falls: Eas Urchaidh ("the Falls of Orchy"), Easan Dubha ("Black Falls"), and Eas a' Chathaidh, as well as rapids such as "Chicken Chute", "Sheep Trolley Gorge", "Sore Tooth", "Roller Coaster", "Witches Step", and "The End of Civilisation". [4]

The marilyn, Beinn Udlaidh, with the River Orchy in foreground The Orchy - geograph.org.uk - 244332.jpg
The marilyn, Beinn Udlaidh, with the River Orchy in foreground
Islands

There are islands within the river including a large wooded one about 1 mi (2 km) above Inverlochy Castle; another one, Eilean a Phortaire, just below Dalmally Bridge, which is also wooded; and immediately below the latter lies a shingle island. The shingle island was separated from the fields by the 6 ft (1.8 m) drop of the bank. [5] Glenorchy Parish Church and the burial place of the Macgregors are located on an islet formed by the river; the well of Saint Conan is nearby. [6] [7] [8]

Fauna

Wildlife includes salmon and trout, as well as otter, golden eagle, short-eared owl. [9]

Tourism

The river's falls and rapids, Grades 3–5, are enjoyed by kayakers and rafting enthusiasts. [4] [10] Whitewater rafting season is October to March. Fishermen can fish for trout, [11] while salmon fishing season runs from February to October. [12] The Dalmally Beats 1, 2 and 3 offer 6 mi (10 km) of double-bank fishing from the Bridge Pool in Dalmally to Sam's Box Pool in Glen Orchy. There is vehicle access to most of the pools on both banks. [13] The Upper Craig Beat, an area of approximately 2 mi (3 km) between Little Colonels pool and the Boat pool allows fishing from both banks. [14] Hill walkers climb up to Beinn Dorain, an ascent of 1,076 m (3,530 ft), 6 mi (10 km) away. [15]

Gold prospect

Gold mining used to take place at the Cononish mine, near Tyndrum, Scotgold obtained planning permission for development of the mine for gold and silver extraction in early 2012. [16] In 2010, gold mining exploration began in a River Orchy glen, approximately 5 km (3 mi) outside the Lomond National Park. [17] The river is reported to cross several quartz sulphide veins with significant gold mineralisation. [18] Environmental concerns about possible gold mining were raised due to the area's proximity to both the national park and Beinn Udlaidh, a popular climbing marilyn. [19]

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Glen Orchy Human settlement in Scotland

Glen Orchy is a glen in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It runs from Bridge of Orchy to Dalmally.

Bridge of Orchy Human settlement in Scotland

Bridge of Orchy is a village in the Glen Orchy in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is named after the crossing over the River Orchy, which was constructed by British Army during the pacification of the Highland Clans following the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Military roads were built between the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands of northern Scotland to facilitate the speedy movement of Crown forces.

Dalmally Human settlement in Scotland

Dalmally is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is near the A85 road and is served by Dalmally railway station.

Beinn Achaladair

Beinn Achaladair is a Scottish mountain situated six kilometres north east of the hamlet of Bridge of Orchy. The mountain stands on the border of the Perth and Kinross and Argyll and Bute council areas.

Stob Ghabhar Scottish mountain in Black Mount range

Stob Ghabhar is a Scottish mountain nine kilometres (5.6 mi) north west of Bridge of Orchy. It is part of the Black Mount group of mountains and stands on the border of the Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas.

Beinn Chùirn Scottish hill on the border of Stirlingshire and Perthshire

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Inishail

Inishail is an island and former parish, in Loch Awe, Scotland.

The Affric / Beauly hydro-electric power scheme for the generation of hydro-electric power is located in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is based around Glen Strathfarrar, Glen Cannich and Glen Affric, and Strathglass further downstream.

Glenorchy Parish Church Church in Dalmally, Scotland

Glenorchy Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland in the village of Dalmally, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is the parish church of the parish of Glenorchy and Inishail. The church is also known as Glenorchy Kirk, and was historically known as the Church of Dysart. There have been many alternate spellings, including "Dysert", "Disart", "Glenwrquha", "Glenvrquha", "Glenvrquhay", "Clachandysert", "Clachan Disert, "Claghan-Diseirt" and "Dysart and Glenurquhie".

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References

  1. ↑ Watson, W.J.; Taylor, Simon (2011). The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland (reprint ed.). Birlinn LTD. ISBN   9781906566357.
  2. ↑ Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons (1885). House of Commons papers (Public domain ed.). HMSO. pp.  159–. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. 1 2 Grimble, Augustus (1900). The salmon rivers of Scotland (Public domain ed.). K. Paul, Trench, Trübner. p. 163. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 Rainsley, Mark; Frazer Pearce; Thomas Downie; Ron Cameron (25 January 2011). "River Orchy - Bridge of Orchy to Falls of Orchy". The UK Rivers Guidebook. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  5. 1 2 Edinburgh Field Naturalists' and Microscopical Society (1907). Transactions of the Edinburgh Field Naturalists' and Microscopical Society (Public domain ed.). Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. p. 290. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  6. ↑ Wilson, John Marius (1860). Nelsons' hand-book to Scotland: for tourists (Public domain ed.). T. Nelson. pp.  272–. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  7. ↑ "St Conan's Well, Dalmally". rcahms.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  8. ↑ Bannatyne Club (1854). Publications (Public domain ed.). Edinburgh, Scotland: Bannatyne Club. p. 134. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Scottish Canoe Association (2005). Scottish Canoe Touring: An Sca Canoe and Kayak Guide. Pesda Press. p. 91. ISBN   978-0-9547061-3-5.
  10. ↑ "Orchy River Rafting Trips". rafting.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Stalking & Fishing on Auch & Invermeran Estates". Auch & Invermeran Estate. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "argyll country sports". bridgeoforchy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "River Orchy Dalmally Fishings".
  14. ↑ "Fishing the Highlands of Scotland". fishing-uk-scotland.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Beinn Dorain or River Orchy Walk". The Ramblers Association. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Home - Respect Protect Enjoy".
  17. ↑ "Gold mining company prospects on River Orchy". BBC. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  18. ↑ Scotgold Resources Limited, December 2010 Quarterly Report, accessed 4 December 2011. Pages 3-4.
  19. ↑ Sefton, Eliot (29 October 2010). "Scotgold plans new mine on River Orchy". The Week Ltd. Retrieved 4 December 2011.

Coordinates: 56°25′N4°56′W / 56.417°N 4.933°W / 56.417; -4.933

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