River Spey
Encyclopedia
The River Spey is a river
in the northeast of Scotland
, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon
fishing and whisky
production.
'yspyddad') as has a derivation from the pre-Celtic 'squeas' meaning vomit or gush. Ptolemy
named the river on his map of c AD 150 as Tuesis. The name 'Spey' first appears in 1451.
, 10 miles (16 km) south of Fort Augustus
. The river descends to flow through Newtonmore
and Kingussie
, crossing Loch Insh
before reaching Aviemore
, giving its name to Strathspey
. From there it flows the remaining 60 miles (96.6 km) north-east to the Moray Firth
, reaching the sea 5 miles west of Buckie
.
Certain sections of the Spey change their course very frequently, either (relatively) gradually as a result of deposition and erosion
from normal flow, or in a matter of hours as a result of going into spate
. The Spey spates very quickly due to its wide catchment area in the mountains, as a result of rainfall or snow-melt.
Insh Marshes
, areas of roughly two miles on either side of the Spey in the lower reaches are designated by Scottish Natural Heritage
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
, as are the extensive shingle systems at Spey Bay
.
The River Truim
enters on the right bank a couple of miles above Newtonmore and the Highland Calder
enters from Glen Banchor on the left bank at Spey Bridge at Newtonmore. At Kingussie the Spey is joined via its left bank by the Allt Mor which runs through the town and 1.5 miles downstream it is joined by the River Tromie
which enters on the right bank.
The sizeable River Feshie
joins on the right bank at Kincraig and the River Druie
does likewise at Aviemore.
Several miles downstream the River Nethy
joins from the east near Nethy Bridge and the River Dulnain originating in the Monadhliath contributes a considerable flow from the west near Dulnain Bridge.
Between Grantown-on-Spey
and Craigellachie the Burn of Tulchan and Allt a Gheallaidh join from the west whilst the Spey's most important tributary, the River Avon joins from the east. The Allt Arder and Knockando Burn also join from the west near Knockando.
The River Fiddich
enters from the right at Craigellachie and the Burn of Rothes enters from the left at Rothes. Downstream a few more burns enter the Spey, the most important of which are the Burn of Mulben, Red Burn and Burn of Fochabers.
and Aberlour
being rafted down to create wooden hulled ships.
The river is also known by anglers for the quality of its salmon
and trout
fishing, including a particular form of fly fishing where the fisher uses a double-handed fly rod to throw a 'Spey cast
' whereby the fly and the line do not travel behind the fisher (thereby keeping these away from the bushes and trees lining the banks behind him or her). This type of cast was developed on the Spey.
Speyside distilleries produce more whisky
than any other region.
The Speyside Way
, a long-distance footpath, follows the River Spey through some of Morayshire
's most beautiful scenery.
The River Spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it flows closer to the sea, due to a broadly convex long-profile. The mean flow is around 16 m/s making it the fastest flowing river in Scotland, and possibly in the UK (depending on what constitutes a river). The Spey does not meander, although it does rapidly move its banks. South of Fochabers
a high earth barrier reinforces the banks, but the river has broken through on several occasions, removing a large portion of Garmouth Golf Course, sections of wall surrounding Gordon Castle
, parts of the Speyside Way and some of the B9104 road.
The Spey railway bridge (pedestrianised ) Spey Bay to Garmouth was originally designed with the main span over the main flow of the river, however before construction was completed the river had changed its course and was running at one end of the bridge.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the northeast of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
fishing and whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
production.
Etymology
The origins of the name are unclear though 'hawthorn river' has been suggested (from a word linked to the BrythonicBrythonic languages
The Brythonic or Brittonic languages form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family, the other being Goidelic. The name Brythonic was derived by Welsh Celticist John Rhys from the Welsh word Brython, meaning an indigenous Briton as opposed to an Anglo-Saxon or Gael...
'yspyddad') as has a derivation from the pre-Celtic 'squeas' meaning vomit or gush. Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
named the river on his map of c AD 150 as Tuesis. The name 'Spey' first appears in 1451.
Course
The Spey is 107 miles long. It rises at over 1000 feet (300 m) at Loch Spey in Corrieyairack Forest in the Scottish HighlandsScottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
, 10 miles (16 km) south of Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus is a settlement in the Scottish Highlands, at the south west end of Loch Ness. The village has a population of around 646 ; its economy is heavily reliant on tourism....
. The river descends to flow through Newtonmore
Newtonmore
Newtonmore is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of about 1000. The village is only a few miles from a location that is claimed to be the exact geographical centre of Scotland...
and Kingussie
Kingussie
Kingussie is a small town in the Highland region of Scotland. It is one settlement in the Highland Council ward of Badenoch and Strathspey, and is the capital of the district of Badenoch. It lies beside the A9 road, although the old route of the A9 serves as the town's main street...
, crossing Loch Insh
Loch Insh
Loch Insh is a loch in Highlands region, Scotland.It is situated in the heart of Badenoch and Strathspey, seven miles south of Aviemore and seven miles north of Kingussie. The loch is a location for sailing and kayaking/canoeing. There is a well stocked watersports centre on the southeast side of...
before reaching Aviemore
Aviemore
Aviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. It is in the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area, within the Highland council area. The town is popular for skiing and other winter sports, and for hill-walking in the Cairngorm...
, giving its name to Strathspey
Strathspey, Scotland
Strathspey is the area around the strath of the River Spey, Scotland, in both the Moray council area and the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area of Highland....
. From there it flows the remaining 60 miles (96.6 km) north-east to the Moray Firth
Moray Firth
The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness, which is in the Highland council area of north of Scotland...
, reaching the sea 5 miles west of Buckie
Buckie
Buckie is a burgh town on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland in Moray. Buckie was the largest town in Banffshire by some thousands of inhabitants before regionalisation in 1975 removed that political division from the map of Scotland...
.
Certain sections of the Spey change their course very frequently, either (relatively) gradually as a result of deposition and erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
from normal flow, or in a matter of hours as a result of going into spate
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
. The Spey spates very quickly due to its wide catchment area in the mountains, as a result of rainfall or snow-melt.
Insh Marshes
Insh Marshes are 10 square kilometres of the River Spey floodplain between Kingussie and Kincraig in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland...
, areas of roughly two miles on either side of the Spey in the lower reaches are designated by Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
, as are the extensive shingle systems at Spey Bay
Spey Bay
Spey Bay is a small settlement in Moray, Scotland. It is situated at the eastern side of the mouth of the River Spey on the coast of the Moray Firth between the village of Kingston on the western side of the Spey, and the fishing port of Buckie to the east....
.
Tributaries
After leaving Loch Spey the river gathers to itself numerous burns in the Corrieyarack, Sherramore and Glenshirra Forests. However the first sizeable tributary is that of the Markie Burn which drops out of Glen Markie to the north to enter the waters of the Spey impounded behind the Spey Dam. A further mile downstream the River Mashie enters from Strath Mashie to the south.The River Truim
River Truim
The River Truim is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in the Scottish Highlands. Its headwaters meet to the north of the Pass of Drumochter and flow northwards as the Truim past the dam at the northern end of Loch Ericht and through the village of Dalwhinnie, highest village in the Scottish...
enters on the right bank a couple of miles above Newtonmore and the Highland Calder
River Calder, Highland
The River Calder is a left bank tributary of the River Spey in the Scottish Highlands Its headwaters 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...
enters from Glen Banchor on the left bank at Spey Bridge at Newtonmore. At Kingussie the Spey is joined via its left bank by the Allt Mor which runs through the town and 1.5 miles downstream it is joined by the River Tromie
River Tromie
The River Tromie is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It emerges from the northern end of Loch an t-Seilich within the Gaick Forest and flows northwards, then northwestwards down through Glen Tromie to Bhran Cottage where it turns to the northnortheast...
which enters on the right bank.
The sizeable River Feshie
River Feshie
The River Feshie is a major right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It rises in the remote countryside of the Glenfeshie Forest, flowing initially eastwards then northeast before turning sharply to the northwest, gaining the waters of the River Eidart on its right bank and...
joins on the right bank at Kincraig and the River Druie
River Druie
The River Druie is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. The Druie tributary, the Am Beanaidh emerges from Loch Einich, and flows north through Gleann Einich. To its east, the Allt Druidh flows northeastwards out of the Lairig Ghru. At their confluence in Rothiemurchus...
does likewise at Aviemore.
Several miles downstream the River Nethy
River Nethy
The River Nethy is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It rises as the Garbh Allt between Cairn Gorm and A' Chòinneach on the northern slopes of the Cairngorms and flows northwards through Strath Nethy and into Abernethy Forest...
joins from the east near Nethy Bridge and the River Dulnain originating in the Monadhliath contributes a considerable flow from the west near Dulnain Bridge.
Between Grantown-on-Spey
Grantown-on-Spey
Grantown-on-Spey is a town in the Highland Council Area in Scotland.It was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement on a low plateau at Freuchie beside the river Spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorm mountains, about 20 miles South East of Inverness .It is the main town in what was the...
and Craigellachie the Burn of Tulchan and Allt a Gheallaidh join from the west whilst the Spey's most important tributary, the River Avon joins from the east. The Allt Arder and Knockando Burn also join from the west near Knockando.
The River Fiddich
River Fiddich
The River Fiddich is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It rises on the eastern slopes of Corriehabbie Hill in Glenfiddich Forest and flows northeastwards beneath the A941 road, past Auchindown Castle to a sharp bend adjacent to the A920 road where it turns westwards to...
enters from the right at Craigellachie and the Burn of Rothes enters from the left at Rothes. Downstream a few more burns enter the Spey, the most important of which are the Burn of Mulben, Red Burn and Burn of Fochabers.
Industry
The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the still popular salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding. At one stage, Garmouth functioned as the shipbuilding capital of the UK, with timber from the forests around AviemoreAviemore
Aviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. It is in the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area, within the Highland council area. The town is popular for skiing and other winter sports, and for hill-walking in the Cairngorm...
and Aberlour
Aberlour
Aberlour , is the name of a place in Moray, Scotland, 12 miles south of Elgin on the road to Grantown. A burn , a tributary of the River Spey, and surrounding parish, are both named Aberlour, but the name is most commonly used in reference to the village which straddles the stream and flanks the...
being rafted down to create wooden hulled ships.
The river is also known by anglers for the quality of its salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
fishing, including a particular form of fly fishing where the fisher uses a double-handed fly rod to throw a 'Spey cast
Spey casting
Spey casting is a casting technique used in fly fishing. Spey casting requires a longer, heavier two-handed fly rod, referred to as a Spey rod....
' whereby the fly and the line do not travel behind the fisher (thereby keeping these away from the bushes and trees lining the banks behind him or her). This type of cast was developed on the Spey.
Speyside distilleries produce more whisky
Speyside Single Malts
Speyside single malts are single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in Strathspey, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland....
than any other region.
The Speyside Way
Speyside Way
The Speyside Way is a Long Distance Route that follows the River Spey through some of Banffshire, Morayshire and Inverness-shire's most beautiful scenery. It is one of four Long Distance Routes in Scotland. It begins in Aviemore and ends at Buckpool harbour in Buckie, some 65 miles away...
, a long-distance footpath, follows the River Spey through some of Morayshire
County of Moray
Moray is one of the registration counties of Scotland, bordering Nairnshire to the west, Inverness-shire to the south, and Banffshire to the east...
's most beautiful scenery.
The River Spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it flows closer to the sea, due to a broadly convex long-profile. The mean flow is around 16 m/s making it the fastest flowing river in Scotland, and possibly in the UK (depending on what constitutes a river). The Spey does not meander, although it does rapidly move its banks. South of Fochabers
Fochabers
Fochabers is a village in the Parish of Bellie, in Moray, Scotland, not far from the cathedral city of Elgin and located on the east bank of the River Spey. Around 2,000 people live in the village, which enjoys a rich musical and cultural history...
a high earth barrier reinforces the banks, but the river has broken through on several occasions, removing a large portion of Garmouth Golf Course, sections of wall surrounding Gordon Castle
Gordon Castle
Gordon Castle is located in Gight, near Fochabers in Moray, Scotland. Historically known as the Bog-of-Gight, it was the principal seat of the Dukes of Gordon...
, parts of the Speyside Way and some of the B9104 road.
Settlements
from source- LagganLaggan, BadenochLaggan is a village in Badenoch, in the Highland region of Scotland. It is beside the River Spey, about 10 km west of Newtonmore. The A86 road passes through the village and crosses the river on a nearby bridge...
- NewtonmoreNewtonmoreNewtonmore is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of about 1000. The village is only a few miles from a location that is claimed to be the exact geographical centre of Scotland...
- KingussieKingussieKingussie is a small town in the Highland region of Scotland. It is one settlement in the Highland Council ward of Badenoch and Strathspey, and is the capital of the district of Badenoch. It lies beside the A9 road, although the old route of the A9 serves as the town's main street...
- KincraigKincraigKincraig is a village located north of Kingussie and south of Aviemore in Highland, Scotland. The village lies at the side of the former A9 road and 100 metres away from the current A9...
- InverdruieInverdruieInverdruie is a small rural hamlet, that lies 2 miles southeast of Aviemore, in the valley of the River Spey, in the west Cairngorms National Park, in Badenoch and Strathspey, Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland.The single track B970 B road which...
- AviemoreAviemoreAviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. It is in the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area, within the Highland council area. The town is popular for skiing and other winter sports, and for hill-walking in the Cairngorm...
- Boat of GartenBoat of GartenBoat of Garten is a small village and post town in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland. In 1951, the population was less than 400; in 1971, it was almost 500; in 1981, it was almost 700, and the same in 2001.-Etymology:...
- Grantown on Spey
- Speybridge
- CromdaleCromdaleCromdale is a village in Highland, Scotland and one of the ancient parishes which formed the combined ecclesiastical parish of "Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie" in Morayshire....
- Mains of Dalvey
- AdvieAdvieAdvie is a small village in Strathspey, in the Highland Council Area of Scotland. It lies to the south of the River Spey, and next to the A95 road, roughly half-way between Grantown-on-Spey and Aberlour.-History:...
- BallindallochBallindallochBallindalloch is a small village on the River Spey in Scotland.It is known for its whisky distilleries and for Ballindalloch Castle.-See also:*Glenfarclas Single Malt*Tomintoul...
- Pitchroy
- Blacksboat
- MaryparkMaryparkMarypark is a hamlet in Moray, Scotland. It is south-west of Charlestown of Aberlour on the A95 road in Strathspey. The Glenfarclas distillery is located to the east of the hamlet....
- KnockandoKnockandoKnockando is a single malt Scotch whisky, produced at Knockando, Moray, in the Strathspey whisky producing area of Scotland.Knockando Distillery was built by John Tytler Thomson in 1898, and is named after the village in which it stands. The name derives from Scottish Gaelic Cnoc an Dhu, meaning...
- CarronCarron, SpeysideCarron is an old distillery village on the north bank of the River Spey in Moray, Scotland....
- Speyview
- AberlourAberlourAberlour , is the name of a place in Moray, Scotland, 12 miles south of Elgin on the road to Grantown. A burn , a tributary of the River Spey, and surrounding parish, are both named Aberlour, but the name is most commonly used in reference to the village which straddles the stream and flanks the...
- Craigellachie
- Dandalieth
- RothesRothesRothes is a town in Moray, Scotland, south of Elgin and on the banks of the River Spey. The village has a population of 1209 .At the south end of the village lie the remains of Rothes Castle, which dates from the 13th century...
- Crofts
- Newlands of Dundercas
- Garbity
- Ordiequish
- FochabersFochabersFochabers is a village in the Parish of Bellie, in Moray, Scotland, not far from the cathedral city of Elgin and located on the east bank of the River Spey. Around 2,000 people live in the village, which enjoys a rich musical and cultural history...
- Upper DallachyUpper DallachyUpper Dallachy is a small village situated in Morayshire, Scotland, approximately 3 kilometers south east of Spey Bay.The village is located next to the now-abandoned RAF Dallachy airfield, which was used frequently in World War II and was the site of a number of bombings. It is one of 4 small...
- Stynie
- Garmouth
- Kingston on SpeyKingston, MorayKingston on Spey is a small coastal village in Moray, Scotland. It is situated immediately north of Garmouth at the western side of the mouth of the River Spey on the coast of the Moray Firth. Kingston was founded in 1784 and was named after Kingston upon Hull, in East Yorkshire.Kingston's past...
- Spey BaySpey BaySpey Bay is a small settlement in Moray, Scotland. It is situated at the eastern side of the mouth of the River Spey on the coast of the Moray Firth between the village of Kingston on the western side of the Spey, and the fishing port of Buckie to the east....