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Anyone know if the River Shiel is navigable from Castle Tioram to Shiel Bridge? If so, what is clearance below Sheil Bridge? Boat is a bilge keeler, draught 800mm.
River Shiel/ Loch Shiel, Moidart
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KenMcCulloch
Well-Known Member
Hi Phil
the only Shiel Bridge I know is at the head of Loch Duich but please enlighten if I am wrong. I have been up as far as Castle Tioram and I am sure a shoal draft boat could go a good bit further up with care. According to Martin Lawrence there's an obsolete Chart 531 which might help if you can lay hands on a copy.
the only Shiel Bridge I know is at the head of Loch Duich but please enlighten if I am wrong. I have been up as far as Castle Tioram and I am sure a shoal draft boat could go a good bit further up with care. According to Martin Lawrence there's an obsolete Chart 531 which might help if you can lay hands on a copy.
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Hi Ken:
the Moidart Shiel Bridge is on the A861, just north of Acharacle. From the 1:25000 OS map, the river looks a bit dodgy downstream from the bridge, at Blain.
the Moidart Shiel Bridge is on the A861, just north of Acharacle. From the 1:25000 OS map, the river looks a bit dodgy downstream from the bridge, at Blain.
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
dragged a sea kayak up the river at mid tide to near the bridge. there should be enough water to get up a fair way at spring high. not sure about bridge tho, from (hazy) memory its an old stone arch, not especially high. sounds like a good plan, let us know how you get on!
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Just been Googling- the A861 bridge isn't the big problem; bikedaft's old stone bridge is. It's the dodgy looking bit on the OS map- looks like it's kayaks only that can get into Loch Shiel. Pity!
madmolly
New Member
My father lived in acharacle for many years.I have never tried to navigate the river,mainly because you would not be welcomed by the salmon fishers wading across the river or casting into the many pools.A lot of trees/foliage span the river at a low level and anywhere with trees/foliage and water on the west means midges...There has been some flooding of shielfoot over the years, with a bit of controversy over dredging the river, a lot of silt and sand banks have built up at the river entrance to loch shiel, and for some distance into the loch..the bridge would be the least of you worries..But then again....Why not....
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
first bridge;
http://www.rowanhill-cottage.co.uk/photos/OldBridge.jpg
2nd bridge;
http://www.rowanhill-cottage.co.uk/photos/Shielbridge.jpg
they don't look so bad as long as the mast is down /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
from the same website (thanks rowanhill cottage!);
"The river flows past Rowanhill and under the new and old bridges through beautiful countryside for about 3 miles before plunging over a spectacular waterfall into the sea loch which at high tide fills the waterfall and dams the river" mmm
http://www.rowanhill-cottage.co.uk/photos/OldBridge.jpg
2nd bridge;
http://www.rowanhill-cottage.co.uk/photos/Shielbridge.jpg
they don't look so bad as long as the mast is down /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
from the same website (thanks rowanhill cottage!);
"The river flows past Rowanhill and under the new and old bridges through beautiful countryside for about 3 miles before plunging over a spectacular waterfall into the sea loch which at high tide fills the waterfall and dams the river" mmm
KenMcCulloch
Well-Known Member
Very intriguing idea, just been looking at it on GoogleEarth, there are a couple of pics of rapids where the river runs into the sea loch, a little less than a mile S of Castle T. It depends what the state of the tide was when the pictures were taken but it rather looks as though there would be quite a strong flow except perhaps at HW springs.
Fascadale
Well-Known Member
I've paddled the River Shiel a number of times.
The river is a navigable waterway , despite what those in the employ of the local angling interests will tell you. Indeed they erected a "Private River " sign on an islet just above Shiel Bridge a number of years ago.
(The Freshwater case on the Spey plus the recent access legislation guarantee access)
As you may know up until the late 60s the main access to Acharacle from the north was by ferry from Glenfinnan, bringing passengers and mail. That ferry got to the loch under its own power up the river, and used to go south down the river periodically for servicing.
There are photos of the ferry being warped up the river and under the old Shiel bridge, indeed the mental rings in the rocks used for that process are still there under the old bridge.
I have no idea of the ferry's draught but I would imagine it was at least a couple of feet.
Starting from the seaward end of the river your first obstacle is a tidal waterfall. The fall disappears at high water and I've paddled it with a drop of about four feet.
Your next obstacle is a shallowish stretch where river (going upsteam) turns eastwards. The water runs faster there.
After that the next real obstacle would be getting through the big pool before the old bridge.
There are alot of big eddies there which might push you onto the steep sides, I would imagine the old ferry warped her way through there.
Then you would have to warp your way under the old bridge.
I'm fairly sure you could get a bilge keeler up the river but it would be well worth investigating the depth at high water springs as well as trying to measure the rate of flow in various places.
There will still be people in Acharacle or down Shielfoot who will remember the ferry.
Good luck, its a beautiful river and would be a great trip. Sailing on Loch Shiel would also be very good. Its an empty place and very special
The river is a navigable waterway , despite what those in the employ of the local angling interests will tell you. Indeed they erected a "Private River " sign on an islet just above Shiel Bridge a number of years ago.
(The Freshwater case on the Spey plus the recent access legislation guarantee access)
As you may know up until the late 60s the main access to Acharacle from the north was by ferry from Glenfinnan, bringing passengers and mail. That ferry got to the loch under its own power up the river, and used to go south down the river periodically for servicing.
There are photos of the ferry being warped up the river and under the old Shiel bridge, indeed the mental rings in the rocks used for that process are still there under the old bridge.
I have no idea of the ferry's draught but I would imagine it was at least a couple of feet.
Starting from the seaward end of the river your first obstacle is a tidal waterfall. The fall disappears at high water and I've paddled it with a drop of about four feet.
Your next obstacle is a shallowish stretch where river (going upsteam) turns eastwards. The water runs faster there.
After that the next real obstacle would be getting through the big pool before the old bridge.
There are alot of big eddies there which might push you onto the steep sides, I would imagine the old ferry warped her way through there.
Then you would have to warp your way under the old bridge.
I'm fairly sure you could get a bilge keeler up the river but it would be well worth investigating the depth at high water springs as well as trying to measure the rate of flow in various places.
There will still be people in Acharacle or down Shielfoot who will remember the ferry.
Good luck, its a beautiful river and would be a great trip. Sailing on Loch Shiel would also be very good. Its an empty place and very special
Fascadale
Well-Known Member
Fascadale
Well-Known Member
And here's a photo of one of the ferrys
madmolly
New Member
If you do make it onto the loch, a visit to St Finans is a must, you can google it for a history lesson. It is a local custom when landing on the island, there is a small pier, that you enter the ruins of the old chapel and ring the large hand bell that is placed on a stone plinth, this has to be done to acknowledge your presence to the spirits/ghosts who inhabit the island... It is a magical place....
DaveS
Well-Known Member
This brings back memories! In 1969 I came down Loch Shiel and the River Shiel by Kayak. A long time ago, but my memory agrees with others that the bridges are much too low for a mast. The fishermen were decidedly hostile: it's the only time I've ever had a firearm (shotgun) discharged at me (or perhaps a deliberate miss? Heard the shot pass overhead anyway). We sometimes forget just why the access legislation was required.
Lovely part of the world, though.
Lovely part of the world, though.
