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GUIDE TO THE RIVER ALLAN NAME OF RIVER: Allan. WHERE IS IT?: Above Dunblane (Ashfield) to Bridge of Allan, Central Scotland, OS sheet 57. PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put in Ashfield GR 786040, Take out after the bridge in Bridge of Allan. GR 788976. APPROX LENGTH: 5 miles?? TIME NEEDED: A few hours?? ACCESS SITUATION: I know of no problems. WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: The River is a spate river only. DO NOT RUN AT LOW LEVELS, it is rubbish! In high water, when the river in Bridge of Allan is chocolate brown (and hopefully in the park) then drive up to Ashfield for an excellent run. GRADING: 3+(4) MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Ashfield weir is best inspected at the start. Cathedral weir in Dunblane has a serious towback, inspection is imperative. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Allan is like a night out at a tacky nightclub. Sometimes you score, other times, well it just goes on too long. DON'T GET ON WHEN ITS LOW. In high water, this is a continuous run, huge surf waves, lots of great grade 3, and a smattering of grade 4. This grading is however a misnomer, it is no place for the "new to grade 3" paddler. Any swims at high water will be punished with long rescues and, in our experience, boat loss!!! Beware. After the get in, rolling waves lead down to Ashfield weir (portage right if you choose), below this is a short solid grade 4, best run on the right. After Ashfield, plenty of grade three takes you into a graveyard section in Dunblane. There is a weir here, inspect and possibly run 3 m from left. Below Dunblane, another grade 4 (after a large bridge) can be taken hard left down the tongue. It is straightforward. The final rapid is the weir under the bridge in Bridge of Allan, taking the tongue hard left works well, though others have favoured a right chute. The stopper below the weir holds swimmers, so the apprehensive may wish to walk OTHER NOTES: I'll say it again....paddle it when its stonking down only! Other trips relatively nearby include the Water of Ruchill and an Allan tributary, Knaike Water. CONTRIBUTED BY: Adam Sawyer (who has clearly spent too much time out on the town). |
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