River Calder, Inverness-shire

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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'.[1]

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

References

  1. Ross, D. 2001 Scottish Place-names, Birlinn, Edinburgh