10 River Avon Canoe Touring Guide - Canoe & Kayak UK

WHEREVER
THERE’S
WATER
sponsored by
Pesda Touring Mini-Guide
RIVER AVON
#10
INTRODUCTION The Avon is a short rural delight near
to industry. It rises in the hills to the south of Falkirk, and
could be paddled the 5km down from Avonbridge when high,
(when the lower half is considerably more difficult). The next
6km is the best part, running through a wooded gorge. From
Linlithgow down is a rather industrialised 4km, with egress
just before the river becomes tidal approaching the oil and
chemical complex of Grangemouth.
This route covers 15km, at grade 1-2 (top 5km) and grade
2-3 (lower 10km).
WATER LEVEL A look over at Avon Gorge will soon tell
you if there is enough water in the small rapids, or a look over
the high banks within Muiravonside Country Park.
Access at Avonbridge on the B8028 at the top (911 728),
Avon Gorge bridge (park with care, dangerous road)
955 736); Linlithgow (983 773), and final egress at Polmonthill
(949 796).
DESCRIPTION There is little road access to the higher
part, so trees across could make passage quite difficult, so
beware. The river can be seen at Strath House, halfway down,
but narrow country lanes, and no parking. Grade 1-2.
The lower 6km from the A801 Avon Gorge road down to
Linlithgow is either a rocky grade 2 in medium water, or
grade 2-3, with some interesting and testing rapids in a
wooded gorge. Most of this passes through Muiravonside
Country Park (Falkirk Council), a delightful valley with active
badger setts. If in doubt, go in and talk to the Rangers,
and you can prospect much of it. After the park, the river
passes under the canal aqueduct for the Union Canal.
For this lower stretch, park carefully, probably not right on
the bridge, which is restricted. Take out just after the road
bridge and weir coming into Linlithgow. (This is Linlithgow
Bridge, and has a pub on it.)
Below here is industrial and canalised, but the rather smelly
river runs for another 4km until just before it becomes tidal.
Linlithgow Palace | ©iStockphoto.com Andy West
CAMPSITES & ACCOMMODATION Linlithgow.
Contributor: Eddie Palmer
WWW.CANOEKAYAK.CO.UK
Excerpt adapted from Scottish Canoe Touring, an SCA Canoe & Kayak
Guide ISBN 0954706137, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon. For
details of this and other books, as well as downloads of further mini-guides
and route cards in this series, visit: W W W . P E S D A P R E S S . C O M

sponsored by
PESDA TOURING MINI-GUIDE #10
RIVER AVON
LENGTH 15 km
OS SHEET 65
GRADE 1-3
Linlithgow Palace
©iStockphoto.com Andy West
0
1
2
3
4km
OS map data reproduced with the kind
permission of the Ordnance Survey
Design & text adapted from the SCA guide to Scottish
Canoe Touring, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon.