List of rivers of Scotland facts for kids
This list of rivers in Scotland helps you explore the many waterways that flow through this amazing country! Rivers are listed by where they meet the sea, starting from the south-east and moving around the coast. Rivers on Scotland's islands are in a special section at the end.
The Scottish people have many cool words for different types of water.
- A "Water" (like "Watter" in Scots or "Uisge" in Scottish Gaelic) is often a smaller river. Think of places like the Ugie Water or the Water of Leith. Many Scottish rivers traditionally use "Water" in their name.
- A "burn" (or "allt" in Scottish Gaelic) is used for smaller rivers or bigger streams. You might hear names like Coalburn or Bannockburn.
- Abhainn is a Gaelic word meaning "river." It's often changed to "Avon" in English. Sometimes, this leads to funny names like River Avon, which literally means "River River"!
Contents
- Rivers in South-Eastern Scotland
- Rivers from Forth to Tay
- East Coast Rivers
- Moray Firth Rivers (North-Facing Coast)
- Moray Firth Rivers (East-Facing Coast)
- North Coast Rivers
- North-West Highlands Rivers
- South-West Highlands Rivers
- Firth of Clyde Rivers
- Solway Firth Rivers
- Rivers on Scottish Islands
- Longest Rivers in Scotland
- Rivers with Similar Names
- See also
Rivers in South-Eastern Scotland
These rivers flow into the North Sea between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Kincardine.
The River Tweed at Coldstream
The Tweed River System
The River Tweed is a major river in this area. Many smaller rivers and streams join it.
- River Tweed
- Whiteadder Water (joins from the left)
- Blackadder Water (joins from the right)
- Eden Water (joins from the left)
- River Teviot (joins from the right)
- Kale Water (joins from the right)
- Jed Water (joins from the right)
- Leader Water (joins from the left)
- Gala Water (joins from the left)
- Ettrick Water (joins from the right)
- Yarrow Water (joins from the left)
- Lyne Water (joins from the left)
- Whiteadder Water (joins from the left)
Other Coastal Rivers
- Eye Water
- River Tyne
- River Esk (Lothian)
- River South Esk (joins from the right)
- River North Esk (joins from the left)
- Water of Leith
- River Almond
- River Avon
- River Carron
Rivers from Forth to Tay
These rivers also flow into the North Sea, between Kincardine and Buddon Ness.
The Forth River System
The River Forth is well-known for its famous bridges.
- River Forth
- River Devon, Clackmannanshire (joins from the left)
- Allan Water (joins from the left)
- River Teith (joins from the left)
- Garbh Uisge (forms one branch of the Teith)
- Eas Gobhain (forms another branch of the Teith)
The Tay River System
The River Tay is one of Scotland's longest rivers.
- River Tay
- River Earn (joins from the left)
- River Almond, Perthshire (joins from the right)
- River Isla, Perthshire (joins from the left)
- River Ericht (joins from the left)
- Shee Water (forms one branch of the Ericht)
- River Ardle (forms another branch of the Ericht)
- River Ericht (joins from the left)
- River Braan (joins from the right)
- River Tummel (joins from the left)
- River Garry (joins from the left)
- River Tilt (joins from the left)
- River Garry (joins from the left)
- River Lyon (joins from the left)
- River Lochay (forms one branch of the Tay)
- River Dochart (forms another branch of the Tay)
Other Coastal Rivers
- River Leven, Fife
- River Eden, Fife
- Dighty Water
East Coast Rivers
These rivers flow into the North Sea between Buddon Ness and Rattray Head.
The South Esk River System
- River South Esk
- Noran Water (joins from the left)
The North Esk River System
- River North Esk
- Luther Water (joins from the left)
- West Water (joins from the right)
The Dee River System
The River Dee, Aberdeenshire is a beautiful river, famous for its salmon fishing.
- River Dee, Aberdeenshire
- Water of Feugh (joins from the right)
- River Muick (joins from the right)
- River Gairn (joins from the left)
- Clunie Water (joins from the right)
The Don River System
- River Don, Aberdeenshire
- River Ury (joins from the left)
The Ythan River System
The Ugie River System
- River Ugie
- South Ugie Water (forms one branch of the Ugie)
- North Ugie Water (forms another branch of the Ugie)
Moray Firth Rivers (North-Facing Coast)
These rivers flow into the North Sea between Rattray Head and Inverness.
River Spey at Aberlour
The River Findhorn is crossed by the Highland Main Line railway and the A9 road just east of Tomatin
The Deveron River System
- River Deveron
- River Isla, Moray (joins from the left)
- River Bogie (joins from the right)
The Spey River System
The River Spey is one of Scotland's longest rivers and is famous for whisky distilleries and salmon fishing.
- River Spey
- River Fiddich (joins from the right)
- River Avon (joins from the right)
- River Dulnain (joins from the left)
- River Nethy (joins from the right)
- River Feshie (joins from the right)
- River Truim (joins from the right)
The Lossie River System
The Findhorn River System
- River Findhorn
- Dorback Burn (joins from the right)
The Nairn River System
The Ness River System
The River Ness flows from Loch Ness, home of the famous monster!
- River Ness
- River Foyers (flows into Loch Ness)
- River Moriston (flows into Loch Ness)
- River Oich (flows into Loch Ness)
- River Garry (flows into Loch Oich)
Moray Firth Rivers (East-Facing Coast)
These rivers flow into the North Sea between Inverness and Duncansby Head.
The Beauly River System
- River Beauly
- River Farrar (forms one branch of the Beauly)
- River Glass (forms another branch of the Beauly)
- River Cannich (joins from the left)
- River Affric (joins from the left)
The Conon River System
- River Conon
- River Orrin (joins from the right)
- Black Water (joins from the left)
The Carron River System
- River Carron (flows into Kyle of Sutherland)
The Oykel River System
- River Oykel (flows into Kyle of Sutherland)
- River Cassley (joins from the left)
The Shin River System
- River Shin (flows into Kyle of Sutherland)
The Brora River System
The Helmsdale River System
The Wick River System
North Coast Rivers
These rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean between Dunnet Head and Cape Wrath.
The Thurso River System
The Halladale River System
The Hope River System
- River Hope
North-West Highlands Rivers
Fly fishing on the River Carron, Wester Ross
These rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean between Cape Wrath and Corpach at the head of Loch Linnhe.
The Kirkaig River System
- River Kirkaig
The Ewe River System
- River Ewe
- Kinlochewe River (flows into Loch Maree)
The Shiel River System
- River Shiel (flows into Loch Shiel)
- River Polloch (joins from the left)
Other Coastal Rivers
- River Laxford
- River Inver
- River Polly
- River Broom
- Dundonnell River
- Gruinard River
- Little Gruinard River
- River Kerry
- River Torridon
- River Applecross
- River Kishorn
- River Carron (Wester Ross)
- River Elchaig
- River Shiel
- River Morar
- River Ailort
- River Moidart
- Strontian River
- Barr River
- River Aline
- Dubh Lighe
South-West Highlands Rivers
These rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean between Corpach and the Mull of Kintyre.
- River Lochy
- River Spean (joins from the left)
- River Roy (joins from the right)
- River Spean (joins from the left)
- River Nevis
- River Leven (West Highlands)
- River Coe
- River Etive
- River Awe
- River Orchy (flows into Loch Awe)
- River Add
Firth of Clyde Rivers
These rivers flow into the Firth of Clyde between the Mull of Kintyre and Mull of Galloway.
The Clyde flowing through Glasgow. The Finnieston Crane on the left is seen as a lasting symbol of the industrial heritage of the Clyde.
The Annick Water near Cunninghamhead mill
The Clyde River System
The River Clyde is one of Scotland's most important rivers, flowing through Glasgow.
- River Clyde
- River Leven (joins from the right)
- Endrick Water (flows into Loch Lomond)
- River Cart (joins from the right)
- Black Cart Water (joins from the left)
- White Cart Water (joins from the left)
- River Kelvin (joins from the right)
- North Calder Water (joins from the right)
- South Calder Water (joins from the right)
- Avon Water (joins from the left)
- Douglas Water (joins from the left)
- River Leven (joins from the right)
Other Coastal Rivers
- River Garnock
- Lugton Water (joins from the left)
- River Irvine
- Annick Water (joins from the right)
- River Ayr
- Lugar Water (joins from the left)
- River Doon
- Water of Girvan
- River Stinchar
Solway Firth Rivers
These rivers flow into the Irish Sea and Solway Firth between the Mull of Kintyre and Gretna.
Hoddom Bridge, River Annan
The Luce River System
- Water of Luce
- Main Water of Luce (forms one branch of the Luce)
- Cross water of Luce (forms another branch of the Luce)
The Bladnoch River System
The Cree River System
The Fleet River System
The Dee River System
- River Dee (Galloway)
- Water of Ken (joins from the left)
The Urr River System
The Nith River System
- River Nith
- Cluden Water (joins from the right)
- Scaur Water (joins from the right)
- Carron Water (joins from the left)
The Annan River System
- River Annan
- Dryfe Water (joins from the left)
- Kinnel Water (joins from the right)
- Moffat Water (joins from the left)
The Esk River System
- River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway (also known as 'Border' Esk)
- Liddel Water (joins from the left)
- Ewes Water (joins from the left)
- Meggat Water (joins from the left)
Rivers on Scottish Islands
Most Scottish islands are quite small, so their rivers aren't very long. But many of them are still called "rivers," even if they're tiny!
Arran
Here are some rivers on the Isle of Arran, listed as you go around the coast:
- Glencloy Water
- Iorsa Water
- Machrie Water
- Sliddery Water
- Glenashdale Burn
Skye and the Inner Hebrides
Islay
- River Sorn
- River Laggan
Mull
- Tobermory River
- River Bellart
- River Bà
- Beach River
- River Forsa
- Aros River
Rùm
- Kinloch River
- Kilmory River
Isle of Skye
- Broadford River
- River Sligachan
- Varragill River
- River Rha
- River Conon
- River Snizort
- River Talisker
- Eynort River
- River Brittle
- Scavaig River
- Ord River
- Kylerhea River
Outer Hebrides
Lewis
- Abhainn Ghriais
- Abhainn Ghrioda (Greeta River or River Creed)
Orkney
Mainland
- Burn of Ayreland
- Mill Dam Burn, Shapinsay
Shetland
Mainland
- Burn of Weisdale
Longest Rivers in Scotland
Here are some of Scotland's longest rivers. The length can be measured just for the river itself, or for the river plus its estuary (where it meets the sea).
| River | River Length | River + Estuary Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Tay | 155 kilometres (96 mi) | 185 kilometres (115 mi) | Measured from its source near Stob Ghabhar to the sea. |
| River Spey | 168.6 kilometres (104.8 mi) | 168.6 kilometres (104.8 mi) | This is the longest river in Scotland that keeps the same name all the way. |
| River Clyde | 158 kilometres (98 mi) | 168.4 kilometres (104.6 mi) | The river length is measured to Dumbarton Rock. |
| River Tweed | 162 kilometres (101 mi) | 162 kilometres (101 mi) | The lower parts of the Tweed flow into England. |
| River Dee, Aberdeenshire | 143 kilometres (89 mi) | 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |
| River Forth | 113 kilometres (70 mi) | 136 kilometres (85 mi) | The river is measured to the Kincardine Bridge. |
| River Don | 135 kilometres (84 mi) | 135 kilometres (84 mi) |
Rivers with Similar Names
It can be a bit confusing because some rivers in Scotland have the same or very similar names! Here are a few examples:
- Ale: Ale Water (joins Eye Water); Ale Water (joins Tweed)
- Almond: River Almond (in Lothian); River Almond (joins Tay)
- Avon: River Avon (near Falkirk); River Avon (joins Spey); Avon Water (joins Clyde)
- Black Water: This name is used very often for many different rivers!
- Carron: River Carron (near Forth); River Carron (in Sutherland); River Carron (in Wester Ross)
- Dee: River Dee, Aberdeenshire (near Aberdeen); River Dee (in Galloway)
- Esk: River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway ('Border Esk'); River Esk, Lothian (in Lothian); River North Esk; River South Esk
- Garry: River Garry (joins Loch Oich); River Garry (joins Tummel)
- Leven: River Leven (West Highlands); River Leven (joins Clyde); River Leven (in Fife)
See also
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List of rivers of Scotland Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.