River Leven

From Imperial College Canoe Club

Scotland (56° 42' N 4° 52' W - 56° 43' N 4° 58' W)

Grade: 4-5(6)

Length: 2 miles

Our description:

After a 10+ hour drive up to Scotland we found the riveting Scottish rivers with not more then a dribble in them (read full trip report here). The Leven is dam fed river, with the large Blackwater reservoir behind it, making it ideal for those dry trips

Access is a bit tricky as the only real road contact is in Kinlochleven (The takeout). Though the footpaths on the north bank are sound and enables some inspection to be done. Note in particular the "Toddler"(V) big 3 step falls just underneath the confluence with the Eilde and the "Big mother" (Just above the random chimney).

At the top there are several large waterfalls, worth a look but no good for paddling. After these the river narrows and a two step drop (9 and 2 meters respectively) leads into a short gorge. In medium and low spate it is possible to seal launch down the lower drop into the gorge.

The little gorge contains nothing interesting but it finishes in the Top-drop; a 5 meter slanting fall/chute. Soon after this comes a series of 3 fun drops (2,3 and 8 meters respectively) the last of which, The "Big mother", has a large tow-back and should be portaged.

After the "Big mother" follows nearly a mile of less intensive paddling including The Hole about ½ way down.

Next is something to watch out for, a cascade of 5 drops with a large rock in the middle of the last drop. A lot of the water flows through the chute on river right (see photo). The second short gorge(III) of the Leven follows close behind these drops and finishes somewhat above the "Toddler".

The toddler consists of a preamble (IV) (optional) and a 3 drop cascade each about 3 meters high. This is a truly awe-inspiring rapid and though committing all drops look clean and relatively stopper free. The Toddler also chucks you down another 8m waterfall at the end, though it looks a lot friendlier then the "Big mother".

From here its an easy paddle trough the tranquil Kinlochleven to the sea.

Theo