Water and the Hydro Ness
Uisge agus Dealan Nis
The River Ness is a valuable asset to the Highlands and is a focal point for visitors to Inverness. Settlement, industry and recreation has developed along the banks.
Check out our fun facts on the River Ness
Abhainn is the Gaelic word for river. ‘Abhainn Nis’ means ‘Mouth of the River Ness’.
The earliest record of the river’s name is ‘Nesa’, relating to the name of an ancient goddess.
A Gaelic legend tells of how Loch Ness was formed from an overflowing well under the care of druid, Dàlaidh Mòr.
The mount of the River Ness was once a delta, that featured sand and gravel banks where people foraged for shellfish.
One delta channel was called An t- Àban ‘the backwater’. Abban Street runs along its course today.
The Clachnahagaig stone once marked the upper limit rights of townfolk on the Ness. Now moved, it marks boundaries of the salmon fishing rights.