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| mouth = [[Moray Firth]] at [[Spey Bay]]
| mouth = [[Moray Firth]] at [[Spey Bay]]
| basin_countries = [[Scotland]]
| basin_countries = [[Scotland]]
| length = 107 [[mile]]s (172 [[Kilometre|km]])
| length = 107 [[mile]]s (172 [[km]])
| elevation =
| elevation =
| discharge = 64 m&sup3;/s<ref name="sfb">{{cite web| url=http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/spey_river.htm |title=Spey Fishery Board |accessdate=August 21 |accessyear=2006}}</ref>
| discharge = 64 m&sup3;/s<ref name="sfb">{{cite web| url=http://www.speyfisheryboard.com/spey_river.htm |title=Spey Fishery Board |accessdate=August 21 |accessyear=2006}}</ref>
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}}
}}


The '''River Spey''' is a [[river]] in the north-east of [[Scotland]]. It is the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland.
The '''River Spey''' is a [[river]] in the north-east of [[Scotland]], the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland. It is important for [[salmon]] fishing and [[Scotch_whisky|whisky]] production.


==Course==
==Course==
Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at [[Loch Spey]] in [[Corrieyairack Forest]] in the [[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, Scotland|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.
Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at [[Loch Spey]] in [[Corrieyairack Forest]] in the [[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, Scotland|Strathspey]] ('Spey Valley'). From there it flows the remaining 60 miles north-east to the Moray Firth.
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 [[flood|spate]]. The Spey spates very quickly due to its wide catchment area in the mountains, as a result of rainfall or snowmelt.
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 [[flood|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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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.
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.

Speyside [[distilleries]] produce more [[Speyside_Single_Malts|whisky]] than any other region.




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*[[Garmouth]]
*[[Garmouth]]
*[[Kingston, Moray|Kingston on Spey]]
*[[Kingston, Moray|Kingston on Spey]]
*[[Spay Bay]]
*[[Spey Bay]]


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 11:26, 22 August 2006

River Spey
Map
Physical characteristics
MouthMoray Firth at Spey Bay
Length107 miles (172 km)

The River Spey is a river in the north-east of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon fishing and whisky production.

Course

Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at Loch Spey in Corrieyairack Forest in the 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.

The Spey changes its 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 snowmelt.

Insh Marshes, areas of roughly two miles on either side of the Spey in the lower reaches are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as are the extensive shingle systems at the Spey mouth.

Industry

The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the still popular salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding. 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.

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.

Speyside distilleries produce more whisky than any other region.


The Speyside Way is a long-distance footpath that follows the River Spey through some of Morayshire's most beautiful scenery.

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.

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.

Ptolemy named the river as Tuesis Aest.

Settlements

from source

  1. ^ a b "Spey Fishery Board". Retrieved August 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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