The river Orchy is, arguably, one of the most popular rivers in Scotland to kayak.  It’ll take anything from 3 to 5 hours to paddle the 8-kilometer stretch, all depending how long you stop, inspect and set safety up.  Or a cheeky 30 minutes or less if you know your stuff.

There is a gauge on the down streamside of the bridge, at Bridge of Orchy, river right, where a visible indication of the water level can be seen. 
Anything about four on the gauge will indicate very high water levels and extreme care should be taken on the river, more so if you are unfamiliar with it.  Around one is low.

There are 9 noticeable rapids on the river, offering different grades of difficulty and challenges these are Big Rock (III), Chicken Shoot (IV), Sheep Trolley Gorge (III), Easan Dubha (IV+), Sore Tooth (III/+), Roller Coaster (III), End of Civilisation (III/+), Eas a Chathaidh (V) and finally Witches Step (III). 

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey
and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Description:

Getting on the river at the bridge at Bridge of Orchy Hotel there is a short paddle down to the first rapid, Big Rock.  If you choose to inspect this rapid, it’s best from river left, or prior to getting on the water.  Most of the rapids at normal levels offer a chance to pick up the piecies if you have an unfortunate swimmer in your party.  However, in high water, kayaks wont be easily retrievable for some kilometers if you are separated form them.

Big Rock is a nice little warm up before Chicken Shoot. 
Coming round a right hand bend, a short distance after Big Rock, it’s always best to inspect this rapid first, on the right hand bank.  Chicken Shoot aptly named, if you don’t like the look of the chunkier river right run, there is the Chicken Shoot, or the more straight forward run on the left. 

After Chicken Shoot there is a longer section to paddle before Sheep trolley Gorge.
Sheep Trolley Gorge isn’t much of a gorge but the remnants of the Sheep Trolley can almost still be seen.  Coming round a left hand corner the line is normally left - centre - right.  There is a nice safe pool section after this to pick up any kit or swimmers.

The first test piece rapid is next.  Easan Dubha!  As you come round a right hand bend the road will be very near on the left hand side.  You will want to get out and have a look at this!  If there is a normal line in this rapid, it would be off the main central slab in the middle.  In lower water a line looks very doable on the left hand side.  Be warned the hole at the bottom of this is very grippy!  However, many kayakers will take different line, including river right.  Have a look, pick your own line or portage it on the river left. In high water (three on the gauge a huge wave forms on this rapid).

Straight after this is Sore Tooth.  In high water, around three and a half on the gauge, Easan Dubha merges into Sore Tooth and one small rapid could turn into a more complicated longer rapid of about 700 meters or so.

Sore Tooth, in normal levels can also be inspected river left.  Pick your line.  Probably starting left and crossing center to end up river right. 
A sharp (ish) turn to the right brings you to Roller Coaster.  A short chunky wave and holey section. 

Next up is End of Civilisation.  One of the longer rapids on the river You’ll want to take the river left line to start with, then middle moving left again down this rapid.  In high water this becomes quite a chunky section with some medium holes and waves.  Collect the swimmers at the bottom and paddle another short section before you come to the most difficult rapid on the river.  Eas a Chathaidh!

Eas a Chathaidh at grade V demands respect!  What appears to be a straight forward run can leave paddles broken and sore faces being scraped on the ramp, if your running it river left or, river right, to compete with a fierce tow back.  Make sure you know where the get out for this rapid is.  You’ll want to get out on the river left well above it.  If you want to run the rapid, the normal line is on river left.  Ensure you have adequate protection on this rapid.  If you have boated or walked this rapid you’ll be a hop skip and jump to the last rapid on the river called Witches Step.

Prior to Witches step and just past Eas a Chathaidh on the river left is a fantastic play hole, when the river is running around 2 on the gauge. This play hole will attract paddlers in their play boats alone.

Witches Step is normally kayaked off the ledge middle of the river.  Watch out if your slightly too river left coming off the ledge.  It’ll suck you down and deep if you do.  This is the best bit to get off the river.

DO NOT kayak pass this as you’ll come to the Falls of Orchy or Eas Urchaidh!! Only in spate conditions (huge) will this become runnable.  You have been warned!!!

Once you’re off the river and having a hot drink or snack.  Take a short walk down and get some pictures of the Falls of Orchy.