River Spey: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|River in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:River Spey.jpg|thumb|250px|The River Spey at [[Aberlour]].]] |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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The '''River Spey''' is a [[river]] in [[Scotland]] that runs 107 miles (172 km) to the [[Moray Firth]] at [[Spey Bay]], making it the second longest river in Scotland. [[Ptolemy]] named as Tuesis Aest. |
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{{Infobox river |
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| name = River Spey |
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| image = River Spey.jpg |
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| image_caption = The River Spey at [[Aberlour]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[United Kingdom]] |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Scotland]] |
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| length = {{convert|98|mi|km|abbr=on}} |
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| source1 = [[Loch Spey]] |
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| source1_location = [[Roybridge]], [[Scotland]] |
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| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|57.00729|-4.60499|type:landmark_region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NN419937)|display=inline}} |
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| source1_elevation = {{Convert|349|m|ft|abbr=on}} |
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| mouth = [[Moray Firth]], [[Spey Bay]] |
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| mouth_location = [[Fochabers]], [[Scotland]] |
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| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|57.676|-3.100|format=dms|display=it}} |
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| mouth_elevation = {{Convert|0|m|ft|abbr=on}} |
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| discharge1_avg = {{convert|64|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="sfb">{{cite web |url=http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/spey_river.htm |title=Spey Fishery Board |access-date=August 21, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222114951/http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/spey_river.htm |archive-date=February 22, 2007 }}</ref> |
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| basin_size = {{convert|3008|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name="sfb"/> |
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| custom_label = Designation |
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| custom_data = {{Designation list |
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| embed = yes |
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| designation1 = Ramsar |
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| designation1_offname = River Spey - Insh Marshes |
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| designation1_date = 2 February 1997 |
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| designation1_number = 889<ref>{{Cite web|title=River Spey - Insh Marshes|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/889|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}} |
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| extra = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=7 |height=250 | stroke-width=1.5 |coord {{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}} |
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}} |
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The '''River Spey''' ({{langx|gd|Uisge Spè}}) is a [[river]] in the northeast of [[Scotland]]. At {{convert|98|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clayton |first1=Phil |title=Headwaters: Walking to British River Sources |date=2012 |publisher=Frances Lincoln Limited |location=London |isbn=9780711233638 |page=207 |edition=First}}</ref> it is the eighth longest river in the [[United Kingdom]] and the second longest<ref name= almanac>[http://www.almanacofscotland.co.uk/rivers.htm ''Almanac of Scotland''] Retrieved 9 April 2024.</ref> and fastest-flowing river in [[Scotland]]. (The [[River Tay|Tay]] is the longest with the [[River Clyde|Clyde]] third in Scotland.<ref name= almanac/> It is an important location for the traditions of [[salmon]] fishing and [[Scotch whisky|whisky]] production in Scotland. |
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The Spey is unusual in that it increases speed as it flows closer to the coast, due to the surrounding geography. The mean flow is around 16 m/s making it the fastest flowing river in Scotland, possibly the UK (depending on what constitutes a river.) The Spey does not meander, although it does rapidly move its banks. South of [[Fochabers]] the banks are reinforced with a high earth barrier, but this has been broken by the river 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. |
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== Etymology == |
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The Spey railway bridge (now 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. |
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The origin of the name ''Spey'' is uncertain. A possible etymological genesis for the name ''Spey'' is [[Proto-Celtic language|Early Celtic]] ''*skwej-'', meaning "thorn".<ref name="UGlas" /> The involvement of a [[Pictish]] form of [[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''ysbyddad'', meaning "hawthorn", has been suggested,<ref name="UGlas">{{cite web |last1=Rhys |first1=Guto |title=Approaching the Pictish language: historiography, early evidence and the question of Pritenic |url=http://theses.gla.ac.uk/6285/7/2015RhysPhD.pdf |website=University of Glasgow }}</ref> but adjudged unlikely.<ref name="UGlas" /> One proposal is a derivation from a Pictish cognate of [[Old Gaelic]] ''sceïd'', "vomit" (c.f [[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''chwydu''),<ref name="UGlas" /> which is dubious both on phonological and semantic grounds.<ref name="UGlas" /> [[Ptolemy]] named the river on his map of {{circa}} 150 as ''Tuesis''. The name 'Spey' first appears in 1451.<ref>Ross, D. 2001 ''Scottish Place-names'' Birlinn, Edinburgh p200</ref> |
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==Course== |
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The Spey changes its course very frequently, either (relatively) gradually as a result of [[deposition (geology)|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 snowmelt. |
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[[Image:Spey.catchment.Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Catchment of the River Spey within Scotland.]] |
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[[Image:Spey.tributaries.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Tributaries of the River Spey.]] |
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The Spey is {{convert|107|mi}} long. It rises at over {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}} at [[Loch Spey]] in [[Corrieyairack Forest]] in the [[Scottish Highlands]], {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} south of [[Fort Augustus]]. Some miles downstream from its source it is impounded by [[Spey Dam]] before continuing a descent through [[Newtonmore]] and [[Kingussie]], crossing [[Loch Insh]] before reaching [[Aviemore]], giving its name to [[Strathspey, Scotland|Strathspey]]. From there it flows the remaining {{convert|60|mi|km}} north-east to the [[Moray Firth]], reaching the sea {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} west of [[Buckie]].<ref>Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale Landranger map sheets 28 ''Elgin'', 34 ''Fort Augustus'', 35 ''Kingussie'', 36 ''Grantown & Aviemore'' and 42 ''Loch Rannoch''</ref> |
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An area of roughly two miles on either side of the Spey in the lower reaches are designated a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] as well as the extensive shingle systems at the Spey mouth. |
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On some sections of its course, the Spey changes course frequently, either gradually as a result of [[Deposition (sediment)|deposition]] and [[erosion]] from normal flow, or in a matter of hours as a result of [[flood|spate]]. The Spey spates quickly due to its wide mountainous catchment area as a result of rainfall or snow-melt. |
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Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at [[Loch Spey]] in [[Corrieyairack Forest]] in The [[Scottish highlands|Scottish Highlands]], 10 miles (16 km) south of [[Fort Augustus]], it descends to flow through [[Newtonmore]] and [[Kingussie]] crossing [[Loch Insh]] before reaching [[Aviemore]] at the start of [[Strathspey]] ('Spey Valley'). From there it flows the remaining 60 miles north-east to the Moray Firth watering the many famous distilleries of [[Speyside_Single_Malts|Speyside]], that produce more [[Scotch_whisky|whisky]] than any other region. |
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The river is also known for the quality of its [[salmon]] and [[trout]] fishing, including a particular genre of fly fishing that uses a unique two-handed fly rod (commonly known as a 'spey rod') and the 'spey casting' style, both developed in Scotland. |
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[[Insh Marshes]], an area of roughly {{convert|2|sqmi|km2|0|spell=in}} on either side of the Spey in its middle reaches are designated by [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] as a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]], as are the extensive shingle systems at [[Spey Bay]]. |
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The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the still popular salmon fishing industry to the shipbuilding industry. At one stage, Garmouth was the shipbuilding capital of the UK, with timber from the forests around [[Aviemore]] and [[Aberlour]] being rafted down to create wooden hulled ships. |
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== Tributaries == |
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After leaving Loch Spey the river gathers numerous burns in the Corrieyarack, Sherramore and Glenshirra Forests. The first sizeable tributary is the Markie Burn which drops out of Glen Markie to the north to enter the waters of Spey impounded behind the Spey Dam. A further mile downstream the River Mashie enters from Strath Mashie to the south. |
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The [[River Truim]] enters on the right bank a couple of miles above Newtonmore and the [[River Calder, Highland|Highland Calder]] enters from Glen Banchor on the left bank at Spey Bridge at Newtonmore. At Kingussie the Spey is joined on its left bank by the River Gynack which runs through the town and {{convert|1+1/2|mi}} 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. |
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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 (Strathspey)|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 more burns enter the Spey, the most important of which are the Burn of Mulben, Red Burn and Burn of Fochabers. |
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==Industry== |
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[[File:Spey in spate at Garmouth.JPG|thumb|The River Spey in spate at Garmouth]] |
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The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding. At one stage, Garmouth functioned as the shipbuilding capital of Britain,{{cn|date=May 2023}} with timber from the forests around [[Aviemore]] and [[Aberlour]] being rafted down to create wooden-hulled ships. |
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The river is known by anglers for the quality of its salmon and [[trout]] fishing, including a particular form of fly fishing where the angler uses a double-handed fly rod to throw a '[[Spey casting|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. |
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Speyside [[distilleries]] produce more [[Speyside single malt|whisky]] than any other region. [[Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail]] is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries, a historic distillery and the [[Speyside Cooperage]]. The concept was created in the early 1980s. The region is a natural for whisky distillers because of three benefits: it is close to barley farms, contains the River Spey and is close to the port of Garmouth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20120417-exploring-scotlands-historic-whisky-trail|title=Exploring Scotland's historic whisky trail |work=www.bbc.com/travel}}</ref> |
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The [[Speyside Way]], a [[long-distance footpath]], follows the river from Newtonmore to the sea, passing through the [[County of Inverness]], [[County of Banff]] and [[County of Moray]]. |
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The River Spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it flows closer to the sea, due to a broadly convex long-profile. For most of its course the Spey does not meander, although it rapidly moves 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. |
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The Spey viaduct (pedestrianised {{as of | 1983 | lc = on}}) between Spey Bay and Garmouth was originally designed with its 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. |
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==Settlements== |
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''Starting from the source'' |
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*[[Laggan, Badenoch|Laggan]] |
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*[[Newtonmore]] |
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*[[Inverdruie]] |
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*[[Aviemore]] |
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*[[Boat of Garten]] |
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*[[Grantown on Spey]] |
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*[[Cromdale]] |
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*[[Mains of Dalvey]] |
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*[[Advie]] |
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*[[Ballindalloch]] |
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*[[Pitchroy]] |
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*[[Blacksboat]] |
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*[[Marypark]] |
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*[[Knockando]] |
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*[[Carron, Speyside|Carron]] |
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*[[Speyview]] |
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*[[Aberlour]] |
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*[[Craigellachie, Moray|Craigellachie]] |
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*[[Dandalieth]] |
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*[[Rothes]] |
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*[[Crofts, Moray, Scotland|Crofts]] |
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*[[Newlands of Dundurcas]] |
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*[[Garbity]] |
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*[[Ordiequish]] |
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*[[Fochabers]] |
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*[[Upper Dallachy]] |
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*[[Stynie]] |
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*[[Garmouth]] |
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*[[Kingston, Moray|Kingston on Spey]] |
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*[[Spey Bay]] |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Wikisource1911Enc|Spey}} |
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*[http://www.mfwc.co.uk The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre is situated at the mouth of the Spey River] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070222114951/http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/spey_river.htm Spey Fishery Board] |
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[[Category:Rivers of Scotland|Spey]] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010302061150/http://www.mfwc.co.uk/ The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre is situated at the mouth of the Spey River] |
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[[Category:Ramsar sites in Scotland]] |
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*[http://www.greaterspeyside.com Greater Speyside info] |
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[[Category:Moray]] |
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*[http://www.spiritofthespey.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/River-Spey-Canoe-Guide-2011.pdf Guide to Canoeing on the River Spey] |
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[[Category:Badenoch and Strathspey]] |
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*[http://www.canoehirescotland.co.uk/ Canoe hire experts] |
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[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland]] |
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*[http://www.muckrach.com/fishing-spey/ Fishing on the Spey] |
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{{Navboxes |
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[[de:Spey]] |
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|list= |
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[[fr:Spey]] |
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{{aquatic ecosystem topics|expanded=freshwater ecosystems}} |
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{{river morphology}} |
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{{Wetlands}} |
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}} |
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{{Portal bar|Scotland|Geography|Ecology|Environment}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:River Spey| ]] |
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[[Category:Rivers of Highland (council area)|Spey]] |
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[[Category:Rivers of Moray|Spey]] |
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[[Category:Ramsar sites in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Badenoch and Strathspey]] |
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[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Moray and Nairn]] |
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[[Category:Spey basin| ]] |
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Latest revision as of 09:57, 8 November 2024
| River Spey | |
|---|---|
 The River Spey at Aberlour | |
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| Location | |
| Country | Scotland |
| State | United Kingdom |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Loch Spey |
| • location | Roybridge, Scotland |
| • coordinates | 57°00′26″N 4°36′18″W / 57.00729°N 4.60499°W |
| • elevation | 349 m (1,145 ft) |
| Mouth | Moray Firth, Spey Bay |
• location | Fochabers, Scotland |
• coordinates | 57°40′34″N 3°06′00″W / 57.676°N 3.100°W |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 98 mi (158 km) |
| Basin size | 3,008 km2 (1,161 sq mi)[1] |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 64 m3/s (2,300 cu ft/s)[1] |
| Basin features | |
| Designation | |
| Official name | River Spey - Insh Marshes |
| Designated | 2 February 1997 |
| Reference no. | 889[2] |
 | |
The River Spey (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Spè) is a river in the northeast of Scotland. At 98 mi (158 km)[3] it is the eighth longest river in the United Kingdom and the second longest[4] and fastest-flowing river in Scotland. (The Tay is the longest with the Clyde third in Scotland.[4] It is an important location for the traditions of salmon fishing and whisky production in Scotland.
Etymology
[edit]The origin of the name Spey is uncertain. A possible etymological genesis for the name Spey is Early Celtic *skwej-, meaning "thorn".[5] The involvement of a Pictish form of Welsh ysbyddad, meaning "hawthorn", has been suggested,[5] but adjudged unlikely.[5] One proposal is a derivation from a Pictish cognate of Old Gaelic sceïd, "vomit" (c.f Welsh chwydu),[5] which is dubious both on phonological and semantic grounds.[5] Ptolemy named the river on his map of c. 150 as Tuesis. The name 'Spey' first appears in 1451.[6]
Course
[edit]
The Spey is 107 miles (172 km) long. It rises at over 1,000 feet (300 m) at Loch Spey in Corrieyairack Forest in the Scottish Highlands, 10 miles (16 km) south of Fort Augustus. Some miles downstream from its source it is impounded by Spey Dam before continuing a descent through Newtonmore and Kingussie, crossing Loch Insh before reaching Aviemore, giving its name to Strathspey. From there it flows the remaining 60 miles (97 km) north-east to the Moray Firth, reaching the sea 5 miles (8 km) west of Buckie.[7]
On some sections of its course, the Spey changes course frequently, either gradually as a result of deposition and erosion from normal flow, or in a matter of hours as a result of spate. The Spey spates quickly due to its wide mountainous catchment area as a result of rainfall or snow-melt.
Insh Marshes, an area of roughly two square miles (5 km2) on either side of the Spey in its middle reaches are designated by Scottish Natural Heritage as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as are the extensive shingle systems at Spey Bay.
Tributaries
[edit]After leaving Loch Spey the river gathers numerous burns in the Corrieyarack, Sherramore and Glenshirra Forests. The first sizeable tributary is the Markie Burn which drops out of Glen Markie to the north to enter the waters of Spey impounded behind the Spey Dam. A further mile downstream the River Mashie enters from Strath Mashie to the south.
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 on its left bank by the River Gynack which runs through the town and 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) 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 more burns enter the Spey, the most important of which are the Burn of Mulben, Red Burn and Burn of Fochabers.
Industry
[edit]
The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding. At one stage, Garmouth functioned as the shipbuilding capital of Britain,[citation needed] with timber from the forests around Aviemore and Aberlour being rafted down to create wooden-hulled ships.
The river is known by anglers for the quality of its salmon and trout fishing, including a particular form of fly fishing where the angler 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. Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries, a historic distillery and the Speyside Cooperage. The concept was created in the early 1980s. The region is a natural for whisky distillers because of three benefits: it is close to barley farms, contains the River Spey and is close to the port of Garmouth.[8]
The Speyside Way, a long-distance footpath, follows the river from Newtonmore to the sea, passing through the County of Inverness, County of Banff and County of Moray.
The River Spey is unusual in that its speed increases as it flows closer to the sea, due to a broadly convex long-profile. For most of its course the Spey does not meander, although it rapidly moves 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 viaduct (pedestrianised as of 1983[update]) between Spey Bay and Garmouth was originally designed with its 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.
Settlements
[edit]Starting from the source
- Laggan
- Newtonmore
- Inverdruie
- Aviemore
- Boat of Garten
- Grantown on Spey
- Cromdale
- Mains of Dalvey
- Advie
- Ballindalloch
- Pitchroy
- Blacksboat
- Marypark
- Knockando
- Carron
- Speyview
- Aberlour
- Craigellachie
- Dandalieth
- Rothes
- Crofts
- Newlands of Dundurcas
- Garbity
- Ordiequish
- Fochabers
- Upper Dallachy
- Stynie
- Garmouth
- Kingston on Spey
- Spey Bay
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Spey Fishery Board". Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2006.
- ^ "River Spey - Insh Marshes". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Clayton, Phil (2012). Headwaters: Walking to British River Sources (First ed.). London: Frances Lincoln Limited. p. 207. ISBN 9780711233638.
- ^ a b Almanac of Scotland Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Rhys, Guto. "Approaching the Pictish language: historiography, early evidence and the question of Pritenic" (PDF). University of Glasgow.
- ^ Ross, D. 2001 Scottish Place-names Birlinn, Edinburgh p200
- ^ Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale Landranger map sheets 28 Elgin, 34 Fort Augustus, 35 Kingussie, 36 Grantown & Aviemore and 42 Loch Rannoch
- ^ "Exploring Scotland's historic whisky trail". www.bbc.com/travel.
External links
[edit]
- Spey Fishery Board
- The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre is situated at the mouth of the Spey River
- Greater Speyside info
- Guide to Canoeing on the River Spey
- Canoe hire experts
- Fishing on the Spey
| International | |
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| National | |
