River Isla

Description

A tributary of the River Tay, the River Islay runs for 46 miles through Angus and Perthshire.

The River Isla runs from Caenlochan Glen, high in the Glenshee hills, to Cargill, a few miles south of Blairgowrie, where it joins the mighty River Tay.

Its headstreams, the Caenlochan and Canness Burns flow down from the 1064m (3848 feet) Cairn of Claise and on its course southwards to the valley of Strathmore it is joined by the Newton Burn, the Burn of Kilry, the Cromie Burn, the Dean Water and the Burn of Alyth.

Before it meets the River Tay near Cargill, the Isla is joined by the Ericht to the north-east of Coupar Angus and by the Lunan Burn to the east of Meikleour.

The name `Isla’ has been tentatively traced back to a pre-Celtic word meaning “rapidly moving”.

Visitors can most easily access the river at the charming small village of Kirkton of Glenisla. Here you’ll find picnic tables and walking options, most notably the eastern sections of the long distance Cateran Trail.