River Add facts for kids
The River Add is a river in Argyll and Bute, a region on the west coast of Scotland. It flows through a beautiful valley and has played a role in naming local places.
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What is the River Add?
The River Add is a waterway that starts in the hills of Scotland and flows into the sea. Long ago, it was known by a different name, the River Airigh. However, to avoid confusion with another river called the Aray, its name was changed to the River Add.
Where Does the River Add Flow?
The river begins at a small lake called Loch Sidheannach. This loch gets its water from nearby hills, including one called Beinn Dubh Airigh. After leaving the loch, the river flows through a forest.
It then passes a tall concrete dam. This dam has a control center and a special "fish ladder" that helps fish swim upstream past the dam. The dam also helps create hydroelectricity, which is electricity made from moving water, for a place called Loch Glashan.
The River Add is joined by several smaller streams, or tributaries, along its journey. These include water from the Blackmill Loch, the Feorlin reservoir, and Abhainn Bheag an Tunns. It then flows past the northern side of Loch Glashan, which is a much larger reservoir that provides water for the Lochgair power station.
The River's Journey to the Sea
From Loch Glashan, the River Add continues through a village called Kilmichael Glassary. Another tributary, Allt Eas an Amhuinn, joins it here. The river also winds its way through the Bog fields, which are part of the Mòine Mhòr Nature Reserve.
Finally, the River Add reaches its end at Loch Crinan, near the small village of Bellanoch. Here, an old cast-iron bridge built in 1851, called Islandadd Bridge, crosses the river. The River Add's journey finishes as its waters mix with the Atlantic Ocean through the sea inlet of Loch Crinan.
How Did the River Add Name Places?
The valley around the river is still called Glen Airigh, keeping the river's old name alive. The river also gave its name to the surrounding area known as Glassary. The name Glassary comes from Glas Airigh, which means "grey shieling" or "grey pasture" in Scottish Gaelic, referring to the land near the old River Airigh.
This name, Glassary, is also part of the village name Kilmichael Glassary. This village is important because it was the home of the founder of the Campbells of Auchinbreck, a significant family branch of Clan Campbell.
