ALLT GLEANN A CHAOLAIS

See page 174 of the Scottish Guidebook.

Between Glencoe village and Kinlochleven. Drive along the south shoe of Loch Leven from Glencoe village until you reach Caolasnacon, and signs for a campsite. Just past this is a bridge with a small lay-by beyond. Park here (carefully) and go to look at the bottom falls. To reach the top, walk up the river left bank until you reach a flatter bouldery section. Cross over and wander up to the top of the biggest drop. This is the get on, but you can access pretty much anywhere you fancy.

The more water the better! In low flows it provides a bit of entertainment, but is scrapey. As the level increases everything gets more fun but eddies disappear some make sure you have a good memory. A good bet if it's rained but there isn't a huge amount of water about. If you do it at these levels, you shouldn't have gone paddling!

A great wee run which never gets that hard, with a variety of drops to keep you entertained. The first drop is a big sloping ramp which eventually goes vertical. Hard to boof, but the pool is deep enough (just!) not to matter. Try not to über-pencil this though!

Below this the river flattens briefly, and then more drops appear. Most are slides into small pools and some inventive lines are needed. Don't take a small playboat; your feet will really hurt! A large stepped slide appears, which feels very very fast and big. Below this a vertical drop into a small pool leads you into yet more slides. Watch out for a low tree on this section, and don't batter down too fast, as the portage approaches.

This is a very (30cm) narrow slot, but is easily portaged on the left. A big seal launch (above) gives access to the last slide and the final drops. The first, over a man made weir, can be taken tight right but keep your elbows in. One last classy drop leads to the road and the take out.

(click to enlarge)

Ryan on the top drop   Smile!   One of the slides on the Allt Gleann a Chaolais   Into the abyss!  
The BIG slide   The top falls again   Heading for the green....  

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