River Ruel

The Ruel by Ormidale

The River Ruel flows all through the Cowal Peninsula in Argyllshire from north to south, reaching the sea in Loch Riddon, which is also known as Loch Ruel - a long inlet from the Kyles of Bute.

The river rises in the hills in the north of Cowal. It main headwater is a stream named Allt a' Chaol Ghline, which has its spring near Leanach, close to Cowal's north-west coast and carves a valley from there south-south-westwards to Dunans Castle (where it is crossed by Telford's elegant Dunans Bridge). Shortly below the bridge, the stream swallows to further burns, the Garvie Burn and the Kilbridemore Burn, and becomes the River Ruel.

The Ruel broadens and carves a pretty valley, Glendaruel. It is hogged on its east bank by the A886 road, and its west bank is followed by the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, running mainly on a minor road. The one true village of the glen, the Clachan of Glendaruel, stands beside the river and bridges it.

At Ormidale, the River Ruel becomes tidal and shortly after receiving the Auchenbreck Burn, it broadens out into Loch Riddon.

Location

• Location map: 56°1’39"N, 5°12’31"W