The Abhainn na Coinnich drains the small Loch Uisge in Ardgour and runs east into Loch Linhe.  It's a cracking little river which lies well off the beaten track. Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) have secured permissions for a 2 MW hydro scheme incorporating a dam at the outflow from Loch Uisge and a power station at Kingairloch House.  Around 2 cumecs will be diverted from the river when flows allow.  This reduction in flow, combined with the increase storage capacity in Loch Uisge will mean that it will be hard to anticipate when the river is high enough to paddle once the dam is operational.  This problem is made worse becuase of the relatively remote location of the river - it's a long way to drive to find no water!  The SCA have suggested that SSE install a gauge to help overcome this.  This would be a comparatively cheap way for SSE to demonstrate its willingness to protect this paddling resource.

The track to access Allt Bhalaich (upper upper Etive) is private. Vehicles are not allowed without permission, so walk unless you have permission. Please park considerately on the road between the A82 and the Kingshouse.

Releases for 2011

2nd May - Sunday 09:00 - 21:00  (includes wild water race)

18th September - Sunday 09:00 – 21:00

16th October - Sunday 09:00 – 21:00

River Adviser: Dave Bleazard - Tel: 01631 566 617

The track to access the river is private.  Vehicles are not allowed without permission, so walk unless you have permission. Best approach is cross-country from Tyndrum Lower station.

The river is unrunnable when too low.  A good gauge is to look upstream from the A82 bridge and if you can see any uncovered rocks it is not worth walking in.  Take care when the river is dropping as it drops reasonably fast.

River Adviser: Neil Farmer - Tel: 07766 331 969

The fall known as "Crack of Dawn" on the Middle Etive is in a state of constant flux, changing form year to year with rock movements.   Inspect and decide appropriately.

River Adviser: Paul Mills - Tel: 01855 811 482 or 07778 637 049

For information on the Falls of Lora see the dedicated web site.

Adviser: Tony Hammock - Tel: 01631 710 173

The following information has been written by Jolyon Gritten, Access Manager with Argyll & Bute Council.  The was originally produced for the UKRiversGuideBook website as there was considerable discussion on the Forum on that website following an incident on Iona in September 2010.  This information is reproduced here because it should be of interest to any paddler planning to visit Iona and/or Mull. 

• Human Waste - If it is possible please bag and remove any human waste with you or dispose of it into the sea.  DO NOT DIG UP TURF TO BURY HUMAN WASTE the Machair is a very thin covering of turf, rich in wildflowers, and is very vulnerable to erosion but the wind.
• Wild Camping – Please try to camp on the beach, avoiding areas where fresh water springs provide drinking water for livestock.  Also beware of areas where livestock climb up between the dunes onto the machair, your tent might get trodden on!

• Remain calm and avoid raising your voice;
• If necessary point out your right to be on the water;
• Move away from anyone who is violent or making violent threats;
• Make a note of the person’s appearance and time of day the incident occurred;
• Report the incident to the SCA Office
• Don’t hesitate to report any threatening incidents to the local Police (at the earliest opportunity).

WARNING – BRIDGE WORKS ON THE A82 – GLEN ORCHY

Work will commence this August, 2012, on the bridge (Allt Chonoghlais) about a mile south of Bridge of Orchy, where a small tributary, the Kinglas, passes under the main road about 400m before it joins the Orchy. The A82 bridge is being replaced, and the work will take about a year, with major disruption to traffic, and danger to any paddlers. A temporary bridge is being built upstream to carry the traffic. The Kinglas is sometimes paddled in flood, and paddlers also carry upstream from the Orchy to do the last stretch.
Although the contractors know to provide warning signs upstream of the works, there is the likely possibility of temporary blockage, low headroom, and debris, so all paddler are advised to either keep well away, or take great care.

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There is a hydro scheme weir on the upper section. Do not run this as the rocks are new and sharp and there could be metal debris.

There is a concrete pipe in the river on the right hand side, just below the first grade 5 drop. Take care.

The section below the tunnel and above the large final boulder weir currently (Nov 09) has a large and dangerous tree fully across the river. There have been countless trees in this section. Take great care.

River Adviser: Neil Farmer - Tel: 07766 331 969

 

For details of this beautiful loch, refer to ‘Scottish Canoe Touring’.

The Forestry Commission (FC) is seeking to improve public access to all of its land and water. It is desired to help canoeists to gain easier physical access to Loch Awe, where the Commission owns much of the shoreline in the southern third of the loch. FC is working with the SCA on a long-term basis to develop wild camping places only accessible by water, however it is likely to be some time before camping spots are developed on the ground.

For immediate contact and advice, please approach the Loch Adviser, Rhod Watt:
Office phone 01546 602 518
Mobile 07776 161 653

There is a new carpark at the Bridge of Orchy hotel with space for 50 vehicles, set up for a range of recreational users including paddlers. The car park is located just before the hotel on the left hand side of the road (if approaching from the south) and a path connects it to the river on the downstream side of the bridge. Please use this rather than the one on the far side of the bridge so that West Highland Way signs aren't obscured. It's slightly further from the get in, but slightly closer to the pub!

River Adviser: Dave Rossetter - Tel: 01786 464 777 or 07769 677 824