River Orchy

View down Glen Orchy with the river in foreground

The River Orchy (Gaelic: Urchaidh) is a river in northern Argyllshire, the river which creates Glen Orchy.

The Orchy 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.

Geography

The Orchy rises in the Black Mount Forest where its waters within the Deer Forest include the Island Pool and the Elbow Pool. After a run of 10 miles, in which it receives the waters of several large burns, the river expands into Loch Tulla.

Between Loch Tulla and Loch Awe, the river runs for 18 miles, creating Glen Orchy through which it flows 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, approximately half a mile in width half a mile wide.

The river discharges its waters into Loch Awe at Kilchurn Castle.

About the banks

Above the Bridge of Orchy, the river water is shallow and stony. In the 5 miles of the river before its falls, there are many angling streams and pools. At Bridge of Orchy, the river is accessible from the A82.

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.

Eas Urchaidh waterfall

Falls and rapids

The falls of the Orchy are about 7 miles from Dalmally, and are about 20 feet in height, forming almost a sheer drop. 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".

Beinn Udlaidh, with the River Orchy

Islands

There are islands within the river including a large wooded one approximately a mile 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-foot drop of the bank.

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.

Wildlife

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

Tourism

Kayaker surfing on a swell

The river's falls and rapids, Grades 3–5, are enjoyed by kayakers and rafting enthusiasts. Whitewater rafting season is October through March.

Fishermen repair here for trout, while salmon fishing season runs from February through October. The Upper Craig Beat, an area of approximately 2 miles between Little Colonels pool and the Boat pool allows fishing from both banks.

Beinn Dorain attracts hillwalkers. It is an ascent of 3,530 feet (1,076 m), 6 miles from the river.

Gold prospect

Gold mining used to take place at the Cononish mine, near Tyndrum, Scotgold obatained planning permission for development of the mine for gold and silver extraction in early 2012. In 2010, gold mining exploration began in a River Orchy glen, approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) outside the Lomond National Park. The river is reported to cross several quartz sulphide veins with significant gold mineralisation.

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 mountain.

Outside links

• Map: 56.417 -4.933

References

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about River Orchy)

Incorporates text from:

• "Transactions of the Edinburgh Field Naturalists' and Microscopical Society" (1907)
• Grimble, A: "The salmon rivers of Scotland" (1900)
• Wilson, J M: "Nelsons' hand-book to Scotland: for tourists" (1860)
• "Publications" (1854) - Bannatyne Club