River Orrin

The River Orrin rises in the high moors of northern Scotland and flows east to the Cromarty Firth. It is dammed in Glen Orrin to form Orrin Reservoir, built between 1955 and 1959 as part of the Conon Hydro Scheme. Water from the river travels five kilometres through a tunnel to a power station beside Loch Achonachie. Below the dam the river continues through a steep-sided glen where the Falls of Orrin plunge over a rocky lip. Eight kilometres downstream the Allt Goibhre joins the Orrin on its right bank before the river meets the Conon near Urray. The Falls of Orrin are the river’s most striking natural feature, a short but dramatic cascade that draws walkers along the glen. The reservoir above the dam holds back a long, narrow sheet of water set against the open moorland. The hydro scheme’s tunnel and power station quietly harness the river’s energy, sending electricity to homes across the Highlands. Near Urray the Orrin widens as it approaches its junction with the Conon, a slower, more pastoral stretch of water. Visitors can follow paths beside the reservoir to enjoy views over the water and the surrounding hills. The Falls of Orrin lie close to the dam, reached by a short riverside walk from the road. Above the falls the glen offers open moorland and occasional pinewoods, while below the river broadens into a quieter valley. The power station at Loch Achonachie is screened by trees and can only be glimpsed from the lochside track. The whole area shows how water, land and engineering combine in the Highland landscape.