Spean

From Wikipaddle

From Spean Bridge to Mucomir Power Station

Water Levels

Water levels have a major effect on this river Low levels - Grade 3/4 Medium levels - Grade 4 High Levels - Grade 2 with some 4

In very high levels, this river completely washes out and becomes a big wave train with one drop (Headbanger). Can be completed in about 30 minutes under these conditions.

Major features

Fairy Steps A medium length grade 3 (low water) rapid. Portage-able but pretty tricky walk. Large eddy at the end of the feature.

Headbanger Largest feature on the river, grade 4. Large undercut on the left (where your head goes) with boily eddy at the end. Get the lead in right and the rest is fairly straight forward.

Constriction As the name suggests, the river narrows here. In very low water, this is a very tight squeeze and probably a (tricky) portage. In very high water this drop can form a large hole. Best run in medium levels.

Overall, A tricky, technical section of river, especially technical at low levels.

Other notes

Park in the car park behind the shops at the Spean Bridge for the get in. A fairly long paddle over flat water ends this river, get out is at the power station or 200m further downstream.

The owner and operator of the power station has had problems with kayakers in the past and new parking conditions have been bought in. Please pay attention to the signs and get changed quickly and quietly.