River Gryfe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gryfe |
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The River Gryffe
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| County | Renfrewshire |
| Towns/villages | Kilmacolm, Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Crosslee |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Gryffe Reservoir, Inverclyde 55°54′28.8″N 4°44′42″W / 55.908000°N 4.74500°W |
| River mouth | Black Cart Water, Renfrewshire 55°52′12″N 4°27′36″W / 55.87000°N 4.46000°W |
| Length | 26 km (16 mi) |
The River Gryfe (also spelled Gryffe) is a river in the west of Scotland. It flows through the historic County of Renfrew. The Gryfe is a branch, or tributary, of the Black Cart Water. The area around the river is known as the Gryffe Valley or Strathgryfe.
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About the River Gryfe
The River Gryfe starts near the village of Kilmacolm. It gets its water from several smaller streams. These streams flow down from the moors above the village. Some of these include the Burnbank Water and the Mill Burn.
Where the River Flows
The river flows for about 26 kilometers (16 miles). It passes by several villages and towns. These include Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir, Crosslee, and Houston.
Eventually, the River Gryfe joins the Black Cart Water. This meeting point is close to Glasgow International Airport.
How the River Was Used
In the past, the Gryfe was very important for local industries.
- It powered water mills in Kilmacolm and Crosslee. These mills used the river's flow to grind grain or do other work.
- The river also provided water for a factory called ROF Bishopton. This factory used the water for its processes.
The Name of the River
The name "Gryfe" comes from an old Scottish word. It comes from the Gaelic word garbh, which means 'rough stream'. You might see the name spelled with one 'f' (Gryfe) or two 'f's (Gryffe). Both spellings are correct and used officially.
Places Named After the River
Many places and groups in the area are named after the River Gryfe.
- There are streets like Gryffe Road in Kilmacolm.
- You can find Gryffe Avenue in Bridge of Weir.
- There's also Gryffe Crescent in Paisley.
- A local high school in Houston is called Gryffe High School.
- Groups like the Gryffe Valley Rotary Club also use the river's name.
Historical Mentions
The churches in the "Stragrif" (Strathgryffe) area were mentioned a long time ago. This was in a document from 1169 about Paisley Abbey. More recently, a politician named Thomas Taylor was given a special title. He became "Lord Taylor of Gryfe" in 1968. This title honored his connection to the area.
