River Calder, Highland facts for kids
The River Calder is a river in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. The Calder joins the River Spey, which is one of Scotland's longest rivers.
The Calder starts high up in the mountains. Its main sources are small streams called an t-Allt Ballach, Allt an Lochain Dubh, and Allt Madagain. These streams collect water from the southeast part of the Monadhliath Mountains.
More water joins the river from other streams like Allt Fionndraigh and Allt a' Chaorainn. These streams flow down into a valley called Glen Banchor from the north. The River Calder then flows southeast. It goes past the western edge of the village of Newtonmore. Finally, it flows under the A86 road before meeting the River Spey at Spey Bridge.
What Does "Calder" Mean?
The name 'Calder' might mean 'hard' or 'rapid water'. This idea comes from old languages called Brythonic languages. In these languages, words like caled (hard) and dobhar (water) were used.
Another idea is that the name is linked to the Scottish Gaelic language. In Gaelic, the word callaidh means 'hazel'. So, it could mean a river where hazel trees grow.
