Endrick Water

The Endrick Water is a river in West Dunbartonshire that flows into the eastern end of Loch Lomond. It begins where the Burnfoot Burn and Backside Burn meet near the Gargunnock and Fintry Hills. The river then winds south before turning sharply west at Carron Valley Reservoir. From there it passes through Strathendrick, the village of Fintry, and the towns of Balfron and Drymen. Finally it reaches Loch Lomond after a journey of several kilometres. The river drains a large part of western Stirling District and collects water from hills that rise to more than 300 metres. Its valley, Strathendrick, takes its name from the river and has been settled since at least the 18th century. The landscape around the Endrick Water includes farmland, wooded slopes and open moorland. Walkers and cyclists follow quiet paths beside the water. Visitors find a gentle river bordered by grassy banks and scattered trees. The water flows slowly through wide, shallow channels in places. Near Fintry the river passes under an old stone bridge that once carried travellers between Stirling and the west coast. Further downstream the Endrick Water widens as it approaches Loch Lomond, where herons and other water birds gather along the shore.