The River Spey in Winter at Boat of Garten, Strathspey, Inverness-shire Highland Region Scotland SCO 5720
The River Spey (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Spè) is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon fishing and whisky production. Rising at over 1000 feet (300 m) at Loch Spey in Corrieyairack Forest in the Scottish Highlands, 10 miles (16 km) south of Fort Augustus, it descends to flow through Newtonmore and Kingussie crossing Loch Insh before reaching Aviemore at the start of Strathspey. From there it flows the remaining 60 miles (97 km) north-east to the Moray Firth. The Spey changes its course very frequently, either (relatively) gradually as a result of deposition and erosion from normal flow, or in a matter of hours as a result of going into spate. The Spey spates very quickly due to its wide catchment area in the mountains, as a result of rainfall or snowmelt. Insh Marshes, areas of roughly two miles on either side of the Spey in the lower reaches are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as are the extensive shingle systems at Spey Bay. Tributaries of the River river spey is 170 miles long. The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the still popular salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding. At one stage, Garmouth was the shipbuilding capital of the UK, with timber from the forests around Aviemore and Aberlour being rafted down to create wooden hulled ships.
Size: 5620px × 3733px
Location: River Spey Boat of Garten Strathspey Highland Region Scotland
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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