Achness Falls facts for kids
Achness Falls, also known as Achness Waterfall or Cassley Falls, is a beautiful waterfall in Scotland. It's found on the River Cassley in a region called Sutherland, close to the villages of Rosehall and Invercassley. The name "Achness" comes from the Scottish Gaelic words Ach-an-eas, which mean "field of the waterfall."
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What Makes Achness Falls Special?
Achness Falls flows through a narrow gorge. It has two main parts. The upper part is a drop of about 6 meters (20 feet). The lower part is a thinner sheet of water that tumbles down about 12 meters (39 feet) of rock. When there's a lot of rain, the waterfall becomes a powerful torrent! This creates several pools that are very important for Atlantic salmon.
A Place for Geologists
This area is also a special spot for geologists. They study how the Earth's crust moves here. It's known as the best place to see something called the Achness Thrust. This is a type of fault where rocks have been pushed over each other.
Exploring the Area
Near the falls, you can find some interesting historical sites. There are the ruins of an old broch, which was a type of round stone tower built long ago. You can also see a more modern chapel. By the river, there's an old cemetery, and you can enjoy peaceful walks through the nearby woodlands.
Salmon and the Falls
The River Cassley has a long history of Atlantic salmon fishing. Achness Falls acts like a temporary barrier for these fish every spring. Salmon swim upstream to lay their eggs, but they usually don't go past the falls until the water gets warmer than about 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).
In the late 1800s, people even thought about removing part of the waterfall. This was to make it easier for the salmon to swim further up the river. However, the waterfall remains an important part of the river's natural flow.
