Water is the lifeblood of our land. Trickling from tributaries at the top of mountains and pouring out to sea, rivers in Scotland journey through all our most fascinating places. They also flavour our whiskies too!
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful view, a thrilling watersport or a waterfront walk, let’s introduce you to some of our most ravishing rivers and experiences you can enjoy near them.
River Tay
The Tay is Scotland’s longest river and starts out life as a tiny spring on Ben Lui. It flows through adventurous towns such as Dunkeld, Kenmore, Aberfeldy and Perth, before reaching the North Sea.
River South Esk
A gushing glacial torrent from starting out at the cold slopes of Broad Cairn, South Esk leaves Scotland through the Montrose Basin. With wildlife, wildflowers and wildcats to spot along its course, it’s easy to see why it’s part of a carefully protected Special Area of Conservation.
River Laxford
Drive across the Laxford Bridge and you’ll find yourself enjoying 360° views of the River Laxford. The shortest river on our list at only 4-miles long, it runs between two lochs before meeting the Atlantic, in the wild north west corner of the Highlands.
River Dee
From south west to north east, there’s another Dee to discover! This river bubbles through Royal Deeside, Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday spot, before making its way to its estuary at Aberdeen Harbour.
River Dee
Moving swiftly downhill from the Galloway Hills through the wide bays of Loch Ken, the Dee swirls past beautiful scenic spots and peaceful villages in Dumfries & Galloway, along its journey to the Solway Firth.
River Spey
We have the sparkling waters of the River Spey to thank for flavouring some of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies in a region with around 50 working distilleries. Rising in the Monadhliath Mountains, it twists and turns until it reaches the Moray Firth.
River Tweed
The famous Tweed cloth derives from the name of this river, which glides through the Scottish Borders from the Lowther Hills and into the North Sea, with pretty towns sitting on the riverbanks such as Peebles, Galashiels, Selkirk and Kelso.
River almond
This river played an important role in the area’s shale industry. A walk along the river tells tales of Scotland’s first oil boom and the ‘shale people’ that worked in the area. With an impressive ox-bow lake at Almondvale, it travels through the Lothians and drains at Cramond into the Firth of Forth.
