List of rivers of Scotland
This list of rivers in Scotland is organised geographically, taken anti-clockwise, from Berwick-upon-Tweed. Tributaries are listed down the page in an upstream direction. (L) indicates a left-bank tributary and (R) indicates a right-bank tributary whilst (Ls) and (Rs) indicate left and right forks where a named river is formed from two differently named rivers.
For simplicity, they are divided here by the coastal section in which the mouth of the river can be found. Those on Scottish islands can be found in a section at the end. For Scottish estuaries, please see under firths and sea lochs.
The Scots have many words for watercourses.
- A "Water" (Lallans: "Watter", Scots Gaelic, "Uisge") is a smaller river, e.g. Ugie Water, Water of Leith etc. Many Scottish rivers incorporate the name "Water" traditionally.
- A "burn", Scots Gaelic: "allt" (anglicised as "Ault/alt"), used for smaller rivers and larger streams, also once widely used in England, now mostly in placenames especially the north, and sometimes spelled "bourne", e.g. Bournemouth and Ashbourne. In Scotland examples include Coalburn, Bannockburn, Aultmore.
- Abhainn in Gaelic meaning river, which is anglicised as Avon. There is also a similar Brythonic cognate. This sometimes leads to curious 'double' namings of rivers by Anglo-Saxon speakers, such as River Avon and River Afton (literally "River River"), or Glendale (literally "Valley Valley") which is a combination of Norse/Anglo-Saxon "dale" and Gaelic "glen" or Brittonic "glyn".
South-eastern Scotland
Flowing into the North Sea between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Kincardine (East Coast)
The right-bank tributary of the Tweed, the River Till together with its tributaries, is almost wholly within England but is included for completeness of the Tweed catchment.
Tweed catchment
Simple coastal catchments
Tyne catchment
- River Tyne
- Tyne Water (Ls)
- Birns Water (Rs) (Humbie Water)
Firth of Forth (Estuary)
Esk catchment
Water of Leith catchment
Almond catchment
Avon catchment
Carron catchment
Forth to Tay
Flowing into the North Sea between Kincardine and Buddon Ness (East Coast)
Forth catchment
Simple coastal catchments
Eden catchment
Tay catchment
- River Tay
- River Earn (L)
- River Farg (R)
- Water of May (R)
- Ruthven Water (R)
- Machany Water (R)
- Shaggie Burn (L)
- River Lednock (L)
- Water of Ruchill (R)
- Burn of Ample (R) (flows into Loch Earn)
- Kendrum Burn (R) (flows into Loch Earn)
- Allt Srath a' Ghlinne (L)
- River Almond, Perthshire (R)
- Shochie Burn (R)
- River Isla, Perthshire (L)
- River Ericht (L)
- Lunan Burn (R)
- Lornty Burn (R)
- Shee Water (known as Black Water in its lower reaches) (Ls)
- Allt a' Ghlinne Bhig (L)
- Glen Lochsie Burn (R)
- River Ardle (Rs)
- Allt Fearnach (Ls)
- Brerachan Water (Rs)
- Dean Water (R)
- Alyth Burn (R)
- Melgam Water (L)
- River Braan (R)
- Ballinloan Burn (L)
- Cochill Burn (L)
- River Quaich (flows into Loch Freuchie)
- River Tummel (L)
- River Garry (L)
- Allt Camghouran (R) (enters Loch Rannoch)
- River Ericht (L)
- River Gaur (enters Loch Rannoch)
- Abhainn Duibhe (R)
- Allt Chaldar (L)
- Allt Eigheach (L) (enters Loch Eigheach)
- Garbh Ghaoir (enters Loch Eigheach)
- Abhainn Bà (enters Loch Laidon) (known as River Bà usptream of Loch Bà)
- Bruar Water (L)??
- River Lyon (L)
- Keltney Burn (L) (upper reaches known as Allt Mor)
- Allt Conait (L)
- River Lochay (Ls) (enters Loch Tay)
- River Dochart (Rs) (enters Loch Tay)
Simple coastal catchments
East Coast
Flowing into the North Sea between Buddon Ness and Rattray Head
Simple coastal catchments
River South Esk catchment
- River South Esk
- Noran Water (L)
- Prosen Water (R)
- Burn of Glenmoye (L)
- White Water (R)
River North Esk catchment
Simple coastal catchments
Dee catchment
- River Dee, Aberdeenshire
- Crynoch Burn (R)
- Gormack Burn (L)
- Burn of Sheeoch (R)
- Water of Feugh (R)
- Burn of Canny (L)
- Tarland Burn (L)
- Water of Tanar (R)
- Tullich Burn (L)
- River Muick (R)
- River Gairn (L)
- Glenfenzie Burn (L) (minor)
- Girnock Burn (R)
- Clunie Water (R)
- Callater Burn (R)
- Quoich Water (L)
- Ey Burn (R)
- Lui Water (L)
- Derry Burn (Ls)
- Luibeg Burn (Rs)
- Geldie Burn (R)
Don catchment
Simple coastal catchments
- Blackdog Burn
- Potterton Burn
- Eigie Burn ??
- Blairton Burn ??
- Menie Burn ??
- Sandend Burn ??
Ythan catchment
- River Ythan
- Tarty Burn (R)
- Ebrie Burn (L)
- Little Water (L)
- Fordoun Burn (R)
Simple coastal catchments
Moray Firth (south coast)
Flowing into the North Sea between Rattray Head and Inverness
Simple coastal catchments
- Water of Philorth
- Pouk Burn
- The Dour
- Tore Burn
Deveron catchment
Simple coastal catchments
- Burn of Boyndie
- Burn of Boyne
- Burn of Durn
- Burn of Fordyce
- Cullen Burn
- Burn of Deskford
- Glen Burn
- Burn of Buckie
- Burn of Tynet
Spey catchment
Lossie catchment
Findhorn catchment
- River Findhorn
- Burn of Mosset (R) (drains into Findhorn Bay)
- Muckle Burn (R) (drains into Findhorn Bay)
- Dorback Burn (R)
- Leonach Burn (R)
- Funtack Burn (L) ('Moy Burn' above Loch Moy)
- Glen Mazeran (L)??
- Elrick Burn (R)
- River Eskin (L)
Nairn catchment
Ness catchment
Moray Firth (north coast)
Flowing into the North Sea between Inverness and Duncansby Head (East Coast)
Moniack catchment
Beauly catchment
Conon catchment
Simple coastal catchments
Carron catchment
Oykel catchment
Shin catchment
Simple coastal catchments
- River Evelix
- River Fleet
- Abhainn an t-Sratha Charnaig (R)
- Lettie River (L) (also known as Abhainn Leataidh)
- Golspie Burn
Brora catchment
Simple coastal catchments
Wick catchment
North Coast
Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean between Dunnet Head and Cape Wrath
Thurso catchment
- River Thurso
- Little River, Highland
- Sleach Water (L) (flows into Loch More
Simple coastal catchments
- Forss Water (known by several other names upstream of Loch Shurrery)
- Achvarasdal Burn
- Sandside Burn
- Halladale River
- River Strathy
- Armadale Burn
- River Naver
- River Borgie
- Kinloch River
Hope catchment
- River Hope (known as Strathmore River above Loch Hope)
- Glen Golly River (Ls)
- Abhainn Srath Coir' an Easaidh (Rs)
Simple coastal catchments
- Amhainn an t-Sratha Bhig
- River Dionard
- Daill River
- Kearvaig River
North-west Highlands
Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean between Cape Wrath and Corpach at the head of Loch Linnhe
Simple coastal catchments
- Keisgaig River (minor)
- Sandwood River
- Rhiconich River
- River Laxford
- River Inver
- River Traligill (flows into Loch Assynt)
- River Loanan (flows into Loch Assynt)
- Abhainn Bad na h-Achlaise (known as Abhainn na Clach Airigh upstream)
Kirkaig catchment
- River Kirkaig
- Abhainn a' Chrocain (L) (flows into Loch Veyatie)
- Abhainn Mor (R) (flows into Loch Veyatie)
- Ledmore River (flows into Cam Loch)
Simple coastal catchments
- River Polly
- River Canaird (or Kanaird)
- Ullapool River (known as Rhidorroch River upstream of Loch Achall and River Douchary further upstream)
- River Lael
- River Broom
- Abhainn Cuileig (Ls)
- Abhainn Droma (Rs)
- Dundonnell River
- Gruinard River (Abhainn Srath na Sealga upstream of Loch na Sealga)
- Allt Loch a Ghiubhsachan (L)
- Inverianvie River
- Little Gruinard River
Ewe catchment
- River Ewe
- River Talladale (L) (flows into Loch Maree)
- River Grudie (L) (flows into Loch Maree)
- Abhainn an Fhasaigh (R)(flows into Loch Maree)
- Kinlochewe River (flows into Loch Maree)
- A' Ghairbhe (Ls)
- Abhainn Bruachaig (Rs)
Simple coastal catchments
- River Sand
- River Kerry
- Badachro River (known as Abhainn Braigh-horrisdale upstream of Loch Braigh Horrisdale)
- River Erradale
- Craig River
- River Torridon
- River Balgy
- River Applecross
- River Toscaig
- River Kishorn
- River Carron
- Fionn Abhainn (R)
- River Lair (R)
- River Taodail
- River Attadale
- River Ling
- Uisge Dubh (or Black Water)
- River Elchaig
- River Glennan (minor)
- River Croe
- River Shiel
- Glenmore River
- Abhainn a' Ghlinne Bhig
- River Arnisdale
- River Barrisdale
- Abhainn Inbhir Ghuiserein
- Inverie River
- River Carnach
- River Morar
- River Ailort
- River Moidart
Shiel catchment
- River Shiel
- River Polloch (L) (flows into Loch Shiel)
- Glenalladale River (R) (flows into Loch Shiel)
- River Finna (R) (flows into head of Loch Shiel)
- Callop River (L) (flows into head of Loch Shiel)
Simple coastal catchments
- Glenmore River
- Strontian River
- Carnoch River
- Glencripesdale Burn
- Kinloch River
- Barr River
- Savary River
Aline catchment
- River Aline
- Abhainn a' Ghlinne Ghil (Ls)
- Black Water (Rs)
Simple coastal catchments
- Rannoch River
- Glensanda River (minor)
- River Tarbert
- River Gour
- River Scaddle
- Cona River
- Garvan River
- South Garvan River (Rs)
- North Garvan River (Ls)
- Dubh Lighe
- Fionn Lighe
- River Lochy
- River Lundy (L)
- River Loy (R)
- River Spean (L)
- The Cour (L)
- River Roy (R)
- River Treig (L)
- Allt na Lairige (flows into Loch Treig)
- Abhainn Rath (flows into Loch Treig)
- Abhainn Ghuilbinn (L) (River Ossian upstream of Loch Ghuilbinn)
- River Pattack (flows into Loch laggan)
- River Arkaig (R) (flows into Loch Lochy)
- River Gloy (L) (flows into Loch Lochy)
- River Nevis (known as Water of Nevis upstream)
- River Kiachnish
- Abhainn Righ
- River Leven
- River Coe
- River Duror
- River Creran
- River Esragan
- River Etive
- River Kinglass
- River Liver
- River Noe
Awe catchment
- River Awe
- River Orchy (flows into Loch Awe)
- River Strae (R)
- River Lochy (L)
- Allt Kinglass (R)
- Water of Tulla (L) (flows into Loch Tulla)
- Abhainn Shira (R) (flows into Loch Tulla)
- Archan River (R)
- River Avich (L) (flows into Loch Awe)
- Kames River (R) (flow into Loch Awe)
- River Liever (L) (flows into Loch Awe)
Simple coastal catchments
- River Nant
- Feochan
- Feochan Mhor or River Nell (Rs)
- Feochan Bheag (Ls)
- River Euchar
- River Oude
- Barbreck River
- River Add
- Abhainn na Cuile
- Bardaravine River
- Barr Water
- Machrihanish Water
Firth of Clyde
Rivers discharging into the Firth of Clyde between the Mull of Kintyre and Mull of Galloway. Rivers on Arran are found in the islands section.
Simple coastal catchments
- Breackerie Water
- Conie Water
- Glenlussa Water
- Saddell Water
- Carradale Water
- Claonaig Water
- Skipness River
- Leacann Water
- Douglas Water
- River Aray
- River Shira
- River Fyne
- Kinglas Water
- Kilfinan Burn
- River Auchalick
- River Ruel
- River Eachaig
- River Massan (R)
- River Cur (flows into Loch Eck)
- River Finart
- River Goil
- Croe Water
- Loin Water
Clyde catchment
Simple coastal catchments
- Noddsdale Water
- Gogo Water
Garnock catchment
Irvine catchment
Ayr catchment
Doon catchment
- River Doon
- Carrick Lane (L) (flows into Loch Doon)
- Whitespout Lane (Ls)
- Eglin Lane (Rs)
- Gala Lane (flows into head of Loch Doon)
Simple coastal catchments
Solway Firth
Mull of Galloway to Gretna; rivers flowing into the Irish Sea and Solway Firth
Water of Luce catchment
Bladnoch catchment
Cree catchment
- River Cree
- Palnure Burn (L)
- Penkiln Burn (L)
- Water of Minnoch (L)
- Moneypool Burn
Water of Fleet catchment
- Water of Fleet
- Skyre Burn (R)
- Little Water of Fleet (Ls)
- Big Water of Fleet (Rs)
Dee catchment
- River Dee (known also as 'Black Water of Dee' above confluence with Water of Ken)
Urr catchment
Nith catchment
- River Nith
- New Abbey Pow (R)
- Cargen Water (R)
- Cluden Water (R)
- Cairn Water (Ls)
- Castlefairn Water (Rs)
- Dalwhat Water (Ls)
- Old Water (Rs)
- Scaur Water (R) (or Scar Water)
- Cample Water (L)
- Carron Water (L)
- Mennock Water (L)
- Cairn Water??
- Euchan Water (R)
- Crawick Water (L)
- Wanlock Water (Ls)
- Spango Water (Rs)
Minor catchment
Annan catchment
- River Annan
- Mein Water (L)
- Water of Milk (L)
- Dryfe Water (L)
- Kinnel Water (R)
- Wamphray Water (L)
- Moffat Water (L)
- Evan Water (R)
Esk catchment
Further tributaries of the Esk lie wholly in England - see List of rivers in England.
Rivers on Scottish islands
Most of the Scottish islands are too small to maintain watercourses of any great length or size, and are frequently indented by numerous long bays and inlets which further break up the landscape. However a disproportionate number of their watercourses bear the name 'river', though many are relatively tiny.
Arran
- The numerous small watercourses on Arran are listed anticlockwise from Brodick.
- Glencloy Water
- Glenrosa Water
- South Sannox Burn
- North Sannox Burn
- Abhainn Mór
- Iorsa Water
- Machrie Water
- Black Water (upper reaches known as Clauchan Water)
- Sliddery Water
- Torrylinn Water (also known as Kilmory Water)
- Benlister Burn
- Glenashdale Burn (a.k.a. Allt Delphin)
Skye and the Inner Hebrides
Islay
- There are numerous watercourses on Islay, many of which though short are termed 'rivers'. They are listed anticlockwise from Port Askaig.
- Doodilmore River
- Gortanaoid River
- Saligo River
- River Drolsay
- River Sorn
- River Laggan
- Machrie River
- Kintra River
- Kilbride River
- Ardilistry River
- Kintour River
- Claggain River
Jura
- There are numerous watercourses on Jura, some of which though short are termed 'rivers'. They are listed anticlockwise from Feolin Ferry.
- Corran River
- Lussan River
- Shian River
- Glenbatrick River
Mull
- There are numerous watercourses on Mull, some of which though short are termed 'rivers'.They are listed anticlockwise from Tobermory.
- Tobermory River
- River Bellart
- River Ba (Glencannel River flows into Loch Ba)
- Scarisdale River
- Coladoir River
- Leidle River
- Beach River
- Lussa River
- Scallastle River
- River Forsa
- Aros River
- Ledmore River (Ls)
- Allt an Lon Biolaireich (Rs)
Rùm
- There are a number of watercourses on Rùm, of which are named as 'rivers'. They are listed anticlockwise from Kinloch.
- Kinloch River
- Kilmory River
- Abhainn Rangail
- Dibidil River
Isle of Skye
- Listed anticlockwise around the coast from Kyleakin. Many small watercourses, which would in other areas be named as 'burn' or 'allt', bear the name 'river' in Skye.
- Broadford River
- River Sligachan
- Allt Dearg Mòr
- Varragill River
- River Leasgeary
- River Chracaig
- Lealt River
- Stenscholl River (upper reaches known as Kilmartin River)
- River Brogaig
- Kilmaluag River
- River Rha
- River Conon
- River Hinnisdal
- River Romesdal
- River Haultin
- River Snizort
- Lòn an Eireannaich (R)
- Abhainn an Acha-leathain
- River Tora
- Treaslane River
- Bay River
- River Horneval
- Osdale River
- Hamara River
- Lorgill River
- Dibidal River
- Roskhill River
- Caroy River
- River Ose
- Amar River
- Sumardale River
- River Drynoch
- Viskigill Burn
- River Talisker
- Eynort River
- River Brittle
- Scavaig River
- Abhainn Camas Fhionnairigh
- Ord River
- Kylerhea River
Outer Hebrides
Lewis
- Abhainn Ghriais
- Abhainn Lacasdail
- Abhainn Ghrioda (Greeta River or River Creed)
- Abhainn Arnoil
- Abhainn Bharabhais
Orkney
Mainland
Shetland
Mainland
- Burn of Weisdale
- Burn of Sandwater/Burn of Pettawater
Listing by length
The eleven major rivers of Scotland, in order of length, are:
- River Tay 193 km (120 mi)
- River Spey 172 km (107 mi)
- River Clyde 171 km (106 mi)
- River Tweed 156 km (97 mi)
- River Dee 137 km (85 mi)
- River Don 132 km (82 mi)
- River Nith 112 km (70 mi)
- River Forth 105 km (65 mi)
- River Findhorn 101 km (63 mi)
- River Deveron 98 km (61 mi)
- River Annan 79 km (49 mi)
Listing by area of catchment
The major rivers of Scotland, in order of catchment,[1] are:
- River Tay c. 2,000 square miles (5,200 km2)
- River Tweed 1,500 square miles (3,900 km2)
- River Spey 1,097 square miles (2,840 km2)
Note: Imperial figures from quoted source; and metric figures less certain.
Shared names
A number of Scottish rivers have identical or very similar names which can be a source of confusion. These are some of the main ones. The symbol '>' is used here to signify 'tributary of':
Ale
Allan
Almond
Avon
Ba
- River Ba (Mull); River Bà (Rannoch Moor)
Bannock Burn
Barr
Black Burn
- Black Burn - commonly occurring including Lossie, Tweed, Water of Luce
Black Water
Calder
Carron
Conon
Dee
Dibidal, Dibidil
- Dibidal River (Skye); Dibidil River (Rùm)
Dorback
Douglas
Eden
Elrick
- Elrick Burn (Don); Elrick Burn (Findhorn)
Enrick, Endrick
Esk, North Esk, South Esk
Gala
Garry
Glass
Glenmore
- Glenmore River; Glenmore River
Isla
Kilmory
- Kilmory River (Rùm); Kilmory Water
Kinglas, Kinglass
- Kinglas Water; River Kinglass
Kinloch
- Kinloch River (Rùm); Kinloch River; Kinloch River
Ledmore
- Ledmore River (Kirkaig); Ledmore River (Mull)
Leven
Lochy, Lochay
- River Lochay (Tay); River Lochy (Great Glen); River Lochy (Awe)
Lunan
Lyne
Machrie
- Machrie River (Islay); Machrie Water (Arran)
Meggat, Megget
Mor
- Abhainn Mór (Arran); Abhainn Mor (Kirkaig)
Shiel
Tarf, Tarff
See also
- ^ Alastair Gowans. "Fishing Rivers". Archived from the original on August 14, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060814085040/http://www.flyfish-scotland.com/rtaymap.htm. Retrieved August 20, 2006.