Rivers are responsible for many of Scotland’s most iconic sights and tastes – from Scottish smoked salmon and the water required to make Scotch Whisky, to the Forth Bridges and the stunning valley of Glencoe.
The length of a river is determined by the distance between its source and where it exits into the sea.
These measurements can prove controversial, with disagreements about where rivers start and end, the exact location of a source, and when a river turns into an estuary or firth (a particular problem in measuring the Forth River).
So, while no list may keep everybody happy, here’s our take on the 10 longest rivers in Scotland.
These measurements can prove controversial, with disagreements about where rivers start and end, the exact location of a source, and when a river turns into an estuary or firth (a particular problem in measuring the Forth River).
5. River Don
A lenth of around 81 miles makes the River Don Scotland's sixth longest river. It rises in the Grampian Mountains at Ladder Hills, and flows into the North Sea at the Bridge of Don. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. River Nith
A slightly lesser-known Scottish river, the Nith flows around 71 miles from the Carsphairn Hills in East Ayrshire to the Solway Firth. The estuary of the river is an internationally important winter feeding site for waders, geese and other waterbirds. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. River Teith
The River Teith flows from the Stirlingshire town of Callander to the River Forth north-west of Stirling, travelling around 70 miles along the way. The Deanston Distillery, near Doune, uses water from the river to make Deanston Single Malt Whisky. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. River Findhorn
The River Findhorn stretches for around 62 miles from where it rises in the Coignafearn Forest to where it flows into the Moray Firth. The river is one of the best in the country for for white water kayaking. Photo: Canva/Getty Images