View source for River Calder, Inverness-shire

[[File:River Calder - geograph.org.uk - 386613.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Calder, looking to Creag Dhubh]]
The '''River Calder''' is highland river of [[Inverness-shire]], which becomes tributary of the [[River Spey]], entering its left bank at Spey Bridge near [[Newtonmore]].

The headwaters of the Calder are the Allt Ballach, Allt an Lochain Dubh and Allt Madagain which drain the mountain slopes at the southeastern corner of the [[Monadhliath]]. Their waters are added to by those of the Allt Fionndrigh and Allt a' Chaorainn dropping down into Glen Banchor from the north.

The river turns southeastwards and skirts the western edge of [[Newtonmore]], running beneath the A86 road before joining the Spey at Spey Bridge.

==Name==
The name 'Calder' may signify 'hard' or 'rapid water' from the Pictish language, comparable with the Old Welsh ''caled'' and ''dobhar''. Alternatively it may be connected with the Gaelic ''callaidh'' meaning 'hazel'.<ref>Ross, D. 2001 ''Scottish Place-names'', Birlinn, Edinburgh</ref>

The name "Calder" is shared with several British rivers, which may have varied etymology.

== References ==
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[[Category:Rivers of Inverness-shire|Calder]]