FASSFERN

See page 126 of the Scottish Guidebook.

Drive towards Glenfinnan away from Fort William for about 6 miles. Follow signs for Fassfern. Park in the big carpark at the bottom and check the levels at the bridge. If all the boulders are covered you're in for a fun trip. Shoulder your boat and walk up the track on river left until a bridge. Put in a few hundred yards above this, or walk up to the harder upper section.

Needs lots of water. Needs about as much as the Nevis. Would probably be pretty scrapey with the minimum of water.

The Fassfern is an absolute gem. Watch out for trees on this run. The upper section is very continuous and fast, with long slabs into small pools. The lower has bigger pools but the rapids themselves are just as fast!

Don't be tempted to drive up; the walk isn't far. We have managed to hitch a lift with a local farmer, but the walk isn't that long.

Once on, a series of ledges/slides leads downhill at a fair pace. Keep an eye out though as the main rapid, Tango, is reached soon. This is a triple drop with a big undercut boulder just after the first drop. Speaking from experience, leave plenty of time between each paddler. Otherwise you end up, as I did, boofing over the previous boater as they try and get out of the first drop (suprisingly, they swam!).

After Tango the river eases slightly, but lots of ledges and holes keep you on your toes. Watch out for one hole on the right which backlooped all of us. Make sure that you run the last slab before the road backwards; it's bad luck otherwise! Below the bridge is a drop which is very sticky on the left. 

      

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