River Shira (Scottish Gaelic: Siara / Abhainn Siara) is the river that runs for about 7 miles through Glen Shira, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. Originating to the north-east at 350 metres (1,150 ft) altitude, near the start of the River Fyne.

River Shira
The River Shira, just north of Eilean an Eagail
Map
Native nameAbhainn Siara (Scottish Gaelic)
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationClose to, Lochan Sron Mor
 • coordinates56°19′57″N 04°57′47″W / 56.33250°N 4.96306°W / 56.33250; -4.96306
Mouth 
 • location
Loch Dubh
 • coordinates
56°15′30″N 05°02′20″W / 56.25833°N 5.03889°W / 56.25833; -5.03889

The river runs into the Lochan Shira reservoir, feeding the 5 MW Sron Mor (Big Nose), Shira Hydro-Electric Scheme, at 340 metres (1,120 ft) altitude and dropping 49 metres (161 ft).[1][2] The river includes a few waterfalls and islands, including Eilean an Eagail (The Island of Fear).

The River Shira flows into Loch Dubh (Black Lake), where the Ancient Clan MacNaghten castle and crannogs used to be situated, then passes Stuart Liddell's house. Loch Dubh drains through the short (River Garron), then flows under the Garron Bridge into Loch Fyne, a sea loch.Gearr Abhainn[3][4][5]

The river lends its name to the ferry MV Loch Shira.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ "Power from the Glens" (PDF). Scottish and Southern Energy. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  2. ^ "SLOY AWE HYDRO ELECTRIC SCHEME, SRON MOR POWER STATION (LB51690)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. 11 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Gearr Abhainn Inveraray". Google Maps. Google, Inc. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Inveraray Castle Estate, Garron Bridge | Canmore". canmore.org.uk.
  5. ^ http://clanmacnaughton.net/docs_articles/RECORDS_OF_ARGYLL_PART_FOUR-3rev.pdf
  6. ^ "MV Loch Shira". CalMac Ferries.
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