Glen Orchy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Orchy
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 Glen Orchy
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bridge of Orchy – Dalmally |
| Postcode district | PA36 – PA33 |
| Dialling code | 01838 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Glen Orchy (which is Gleann Urchaidh in Scottish Gaelic) is a beautiful glen (a narrow valley) in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It stretches from a place called Bridge of Orchy all the way to Dalmally.
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Exploring Glen Orchy's Landscape
Glen Orchy is about 17 kilometers (or 11 miles) long. It runs towards the south-west, starting from Bridge of Orchy and ending near Dalmally. The River Orchy flows through the glen, surrounded by parts of the ancient Caledonian Forest.
You won't find any big towns or villages here. There are just a few scattered buildings. The glen is also home to two lovely waterfalls, called Eas Urchaidh and Eas a’ Chathaidh. If you continue past Dalmally towards Loch Awe, that area is known as the Strath of Orchy. A road, the B8074 road, travels along the entire length of Glen Orchy.
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Glen Orchy
The name "Glen Orchy" has a special meaning in Scottish Gaelic. It was sometimes called Gleann Urchaidh nam badan, which means "Glen Orchy of the copses." A "copse" is a small group of trees.
The local area around Glen Orchy was also known as An Dìseart. This Gaelic word means "the hermitage," which is a quiet place where someone lives alone. This name is still seen in Clachan an Dìseirt, which is the Gaelic name for the village of Dalmally.
A Glimpse into Glen Orchy's Past
Glen Orchy was once a very important home for Clan Gregor. This was a powerful Scottish clan. However, in 1603, King James VI of Scotland made the clan "outlawed." This meant they were no longer allowed to use their name or carry weapons.
Did you know that a place far away in New Zealand was named after this Scottish glen? The settlement of Glenorchy in New Zealand got its name from Glen Orchy.
Sports and Local Teams
Even though Glen Orchy is a quiet place, it has a connection to sports! Glenorchy Camanachd is a local shinty team. Shinty is a traditional Scottish sport, a bit like hockey. This team comes from Dalmally, which is in the Strath of Orchy area nearby.
