Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Arkaig provides a very short paddling trip for canoeists, with only two rapids of note, but has the great advantage of being lake-fed. This means that it holds its level well for a period after rain when other rivers have fallen too low to provide any sport, or, as in this case, is slower to rise after a biblical downpour. We had looked at other rivers nearby and run away as they were dangerously in spate, but the Arkaig had just come up to a pleasantly challenging level with no chance of sudden changes to catch out the unwary.

The main rapid is further upstream, but this rapid (grade 3), only a short way above the take-out as the river flows into Loch Lochy, also gives some sport at certain levels, though it does tend to wash out when very wet. It used to be oppressively hemmed in by Rhododendron ponticum, but the estate has clearly been making a significant effort to remove this invasive non-native, so the path on the river right bank now provides an excellent view of the rapid, which was scarcely visible only a short while ago.