The River Tay, flowing for 120 miles is considered the longest river in the country. Starting at the source located on the slopes of Ben Lui, it ends in the North Sea just past the city of Dundee. Passing through cities and villages, smaller rivers like the Dochart and Tummel add to the river as it forms Loch Tay. The river is bordered by Killian and the historic Finlarig Castle, home of the Campbell clan. Noted for it's early spring salmon run, the river teems with fishing boats as river cruises stop at historic landmarks along the way.
The second longest river in Scotland, the River Spey, is also well known for it's salmon fishing. Approximately 100 miles long, it flows down from the Monadhliath Mountains and passes through towns and villages like Newtonmore and Grantown-on-Spey. History can be seen on the banks of the river through ancient Pictish standing stones and early fortifications that protected the river from invaders. The water from the river is also used to create Scotland's most famous malt whiskey.
Dropping more than 2,000 feet, the 100-mile long River Clyde flows from the Lowther Hills to Greenock, passing through the famous shipyards of Glasgow. With the invention of the steam-powered engine, Glasgow became famous for it's ship building facilities as early as 1812. It later went on to build such important ships as the Lusitania and the Queen Mary.
The River Tweed is a river that meanders across the countryside for most of its 90 miles. One of the more romantic of Scottish Rivers, it creates the Scottish border with England before it enters the North Sea at Berwick. Historic castles and villages rest on the banks of the river and inspire writers and poets alike to tell tales of knights, kings and sorcerers. Just downstream from the ruin of Drumelzier Castle is a village that purports to be the resting place of Merlin the Sorcerer. Melrose Abbey is one stopping point on a cruise down the river as well as the church in Ladykirk, which King James IV founded.
