Strath facts for kids
A strath is a type of valley, usually a wide and flat one. These valleys often have a river flowing through them. A strath is different from a glen, which is typically a narrower and deeper valley.
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What Does "Strath" Mean?
The Origin of the Word
The word "strath" comes from the Scottish Gaelic word srath. Many Gaelic words have become part of the English and Scots languages. In rural Scotland, people often use "strath" to describe a wide valley, even if they don't speak Gaelic.
The word srath originally meant "grassland" in Old Irish. Over time, its meaning changed in Scottish Gaelic to "broad valley." This meaning is similar to words found in other old languages, like the Welsh word ystrad.
Places Named "Strath"
"Strath" in Scottish Place Names
You will find "Strath-" at the beginning of many place names in Scotland. Some examples include Strathspey and Strathclyde. These names often tell you that the area is a wide valley.
"Strath" Around the World
Because many people from Scotland moved to other countries, the word "strath" also appears in place names around the world. For example, you can find:
- Strath-Taieri in New Zealand
- Strathalbyn in South Australia
- Strathfield, a suburb of Sydney, Australia
- Strathewen, Victoria, Australia
- Strathpine, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia
In Canada, there are places like:
- Strathmore, Alberta
- Strathcona
- Strathroy, Ontario
- Strathburn, Ontario
Ships Named "Strath"
The word "Strath" was also used for five large ships belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Four of these ships, the Strathaird, Strathnaver, Stratheden, and Strathmore, helped thousands of people move to Australia between the 1950s and 1960s. These ships also served as troop carriers during the Second World War. The fifth ship, the Strathallan, sank in 1942 while carrying troops to North Africa.
Strathisla Whisky
In Keith, Scotland, there is a distillery that makes Strathisla whisky. This is a type of single malt whisky that is also used to make the famous Chivas Regal blend.
Strath in Geology
How Rivers Shape Valleys
In geology, a strath describes a flat, bedrock surface within a river valley. This surface shows how much a river has eroded the land over time. It can be the current bottom of a valley, or it might be an older surface that is now buried.
River Terraces
Sometimes, a river's base level (the lowest point it can erode to) drops. When this happens, the river starts to erode deeper. The old, higher valley floor might be left behind as a flat step, called a strath terrace. These terraces can tell scientists about past climate changes or how a river has moved over time.
Buried Straths
If a lot of sediment (like sand and mud) builds up in a strath valley, the original strath surface can get buried. This buried surface then becomes part of the geologic record. For example, in the valley of the Rio Grande River near Albuquerque, New Mexico, there are at least three such buried straths.
