07 River Moriston Canoe Touring Guide

Pesda Touring Mini-Guide

RIVER MORISTON

INTRODUCTION A tranquil, lovely river, not often pad-

CAMPSITES & ACCOMMODATION Nearest proper

dled, either because the glen is a bit further to travel to, or

campsites are down on Loch Ness side, or at Fort Augustus.

below Dundreggan Reservoir, which ﬂows into Loch Ness

the summer at the village hall, as in many Highland commu-

because of its only association with the white water stretch

at Invermoriston.

WATER LEVEL The level is easy to judge at the put-in, below which are some easy grade 1 rapids - too rocky and

‘scrapey’, and the river is too low. In ﬂood, the river is a more

nities, there are light lunches, and toilets available.

DESCRIPTION The glen is broad and well-farmed, virtu-

ally no habitation on the river, and very much quieter than

the trunk road above would suggest. Ospreys are seen in the

glen, at this their northern margin of range in Scotland.

ACCESS Glen Moriston is the route of Bonnie Prince

current, eddy upstream. Islands, wooded banks, and plenty

kenzie’s grave, is where Roderick Mackenzie is said to have

–km Mackenzie’s Grave. Lay-by and steps down. Good

of stopping places.

9km Torgoyle bridge, main road passes over. Bridge built by

deliberately sacriﬁced himself to the Redcoats, as a ‘dopple-

Thomas Telford in 1808, swept away by a ﬂood in 1818, and

to escape. A roadside cairn, consecrated grave and memorial

over the Tay at Dunkeld.

ganger’, or substitute, in order to give the real prince time

mark the spot, and this is about 3km down the river on the

A887 (237 112), the main east-west road, from its junction with the A87 from Invergarry.

rebuilt in 1828. Almost identical design to Telford’s bridge

11km River becomes bouldery and braided, faster water.

12.5km River slows down as it imperceptibly becomes the

reservoir behind Dundreggan Dam.

Egress is on the left side, well before the dam, (351 154), just

14km Egress is on the left side, well before the dam

rier ﬁnishes. An old track runs up to the road. After this, the

an Armco barrier ﬁnishes. An old track runs up to the road.

where the forestry meets the main road, and an Armco bar-

sides become steeper and rocky.

(351 154), just where the forestry meets the main road, and

After this, the sides become steeper and rocky. Contributor: Eddie Palmer

W WW.C ANOE K AYA K. CO . U K

River Moriston | Eddie Palmer

Invermoriston village has B&Bs, a restaurant and a hotel. In

serious proposition.

Charlie’s ﬂight to Glen Elg and Skye. The put in, at Mac-

#07

WHEREVER THERE’S WATER