River Orchy Explained

River Orchy
Source1 Location:Loch Tulla
Source1 Coordinates:56.5372°N -4.7719°W
Mouth Location:Loch Awe
Mouth Coordinates:56.405°N -5.0328°W

The River Orchy (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Urchaidh / Abhainn Urchaidh) is a river that passes through the village of Dalmally, Argyll and Bute 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.

Etymology

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

Geography

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 10miles, 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 18miles. 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 NaNmiles wide. The river merges with the waters of Loch Awe at Kilchurn Castle.[3] Above the Bridge of Orchy, the river water is shallow and stony. In the 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on of the river before its falls, there are many angling streams and pools. At Bridge of Orchy, the river is accessible via 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.[4]

Falls and rapidsThe falls of the Orchy are about 7abbr=onNaNabbr=on from Dalmally, and are about 20abbr=offNaNabbr=off 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".[5]
  • IslandsThere are islands within the river including a large wooded one about 10NaN0 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 61NaN1 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.[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.[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 60NaN0 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 2abbr=onNaNabbr=on between Little Colonels pool and the Boat pool allows fishing from both banks.[14] Hill walkers climb up to Beinn Dorain, an ascent of 1076m (3,530feet), 6abbr=onNaNabbr=on 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 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on 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]

    Sources

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Watson . W.J. . Taylor . Simon . The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland . 2011 . Birlinn LTD . 9781906566357 . reprint.
    2. Book: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. House of Commons papers. 30 October 2011. Public domain. 1885. HMSO. 159–.
    3. Book: Grimble, Augustus. The salmon rivers of Scotland. 30 October 2011. Public domain. 1900. K. Paul, Trench, Trübner. 163.
    4. Book: Edinburgh Field Naturalists' and Microscopical Society. Transactions of the Edinburgh Field Naturalists' and Microscopical Society. 30 October 2011. Public domain. 1907. Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. 290.
    5. Web site: River Orchy - Bridge of Orchy to Falls of Orchy. Rainsley. Mark . Frazer Pearce . Thomas Downie . Ron Cameron. 25 January 2011. The UK Rivers Guidebook. 4 December 2011.
    6. Book: Wilson, John Marius. Nelsons' hand-book to Scotland: for tourists. 29 October 2011. Public domain. 1860. T. Nelson. 272–.
    7. Web site: St Conan's Well, Dalmally. rcahms.gov.uk. 4 November 2011.
    8. Book: Bannatyne Club . Publications. 1 November 2011. Public domain. 1854. Bannatyne Club. Edinburgh, Scotland. 134.
    9. Book: Scottish Canoe Association. Scottish Canoe Touring: An Sca Canoe and Kayak Guide. 2005. Pesda Press. 978-0-9547061-3-5. 91.
    10. Web site: Orchy River Rafting Trips. rafting.com. 4 December 2011.
    11. Web site: Stalking & Fishing on Auch & Invermeran Estates. Auch & Invermeran Estate. 4 December 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120426021419/http://www.auch-invermeran.co.uk/stalking-fishing.html. 26 April 2012.
    12. Web site: argyll country sports. bridgeoforchy.co.uk. 4 December 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120426021419/http://www.bridgeoforchy.co.uk/local-area/to-do/country-sports.htm. 26 April 2012.
    13. Web site: River Orchy Dalmally Fishings.
    14. Web site: Fishing the Highlands of Scotland. fishing-uk-scotland.com. 4 December 2011.
    15. Web site: Beinn Dorain or River Orchy Walk. The Ramblers Association. 4 December 2011.
    16. Web site: Home - Respect Protect Enjoy.
    17. News: Gold mining company prospects on River Orchy. 28 October 2010. BBC. 4 December 2011.
    18. Scotgold Resources Limited, December 2010 Quarterly Report, accessed 4 December 2011. Pages 3-4.
    19. News: Scotgold plans new mine on River Orchy. Sefton. Eliot . 29 October 2010. The Week Ltd.. 4 December 2011.

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