Pesda Touring Mini-Guide
RIVER AVON
#10
WHEREVER THERE’S WATER
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Linlithgow Palace | ©iStockphoto.com Andy West
INTRODUCTION The Avon is a short rural delight near
to industry. It rises in the hills to the south of Falkirk, and
could be paddled the 5km down from Avonbridge when high, (when the lower half is considerably more difficult). The next
DESCRIPTION There is little road access to the higher
part, so trees across could make passage quite difficult, so
beware. The river can be seen at Strath House, halfway down, but narrow country lanes, and no parking. Grade 1-2.
6km is the best part, running through a wooded gorge. From
The lower 6km from the A801 Avon Gorge road down to
just before the river becomes tidal approaching the oil and
grade 2-3, with some interesting and testing rapids in a
Linlithgow down is a rather industrialised 4km, with egress chemical complex of Grangemouth.
This route covers 15km, at grade 1-2 (top 5km) and grade
Linlithgow is either a rocky grade 2 in medium water, or wooded gorge. Most of this passes through Muiravonside
Country Park (Falkirk Council), a delightful valley with ac-
2-3 (lower 10km).
tive badger setts. If in doubt, go in and talk to the Rangers,
WATER LEVEL A look over at Avon Gorge will soon tell
passes under the canal aqueduct for the Union Canal.
you if there is enough water in the small rapids, or a look over
and you can prospect much of it. After the park, the river For this lower stretch, park carefully, probably not right on
the high banks within Muiravonside Country Park.
the bridge, which is restricted. Take out just after the road
Avon Gorge bridge (park with care, dangerous road)
Bridge, and has a pub on it.)
thill (949 796).
river runs for another 4km until just before it becomes tidal.
CAMPSITES & ACCOMMODATION Linlithgow.
Contributor: Eddie Palmer
Access at Avonbridge on the B8028 at the top (911 728), 955 736); Linlithgow (983 773), and final egress at Polmon-
bridge and weir coming into Linlithgow. (This is Linlithgow
Below here is industrial and canalised, but the rather smelly
Excerpt adapted from Scottish Canoe Touring, an SCA Canoe & Kayak Guide ISBN 0954706137, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon. For details of this and other books, as well as downloads of further mini-guides
W WW.C ANOE K AYA K. CO . U K
and route cards in this series, visit:
WWW.PESDAPRESS.COM
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#10 RIVER AVON
15 km
LENGTH OS SHEET
65
GRADE
1-3
Linlithgow Palace ŠiStockphoto.com Andy West
PESDA TOURING MINI-GUIDE
0
1
2
3
4km
OS map data reproduced with the kind permission of the Ordnance Survey
Design & text adapted from the SCA guide to Scottish Canoe Touring, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon.