Leithen Water

Leithen Water (Scottish Gaelic: Leitheann / Abhainn Leitheinn) is a tributary of the River Tweed in Scotland. It rises in the Moorfoot Hills and joins the Tweed near the town of Innerleithen, whose name comes from the Scottish Gaelic inbhir, meaning a confluence, and anglicised as "inner" or "inver". The Brythonic equivalent is "Aber". "Leithen" is a Celtic name meaning grey in colour.

In Innerleithen the river is about 6–7 metres across and is not deep enough to swim. Leithen Water is a local favourite for the children who wade, 'guddle' fish (catch fish with hands) and play about in it. In the summer months, local children build small dams to deepen it, especially at the Cauld (a fish ladder near Inerleithen Golf Course) and at Leithen Bridge. The latter is an old stone bridge, erected in 1799 using funds from a stipend, to enable easy access for townsfolk to attend church on the west side of the Leithen Water.

Leithen Water is usually cool and clear, however post heavy rain it can become quite murky.

The river lends its name to the character Sir Edward Leithen in a number of novels by John Buchan.

River Tweed, Great Britain

Administrative areas	Scottish Borders Scotland Northumberland England

Flows into	North Sea

Towns (upstream to downstream)	Tweedsmuir Peebles Innerleithen Walkerburn Galashiels Melrose Newstead St Boswells Kelso Coldstream Berwick-upon-Tweed

Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence)	Cor Water Talla Water Holms Water Lyne Water Manor Water Quair Water Leithen Water Caddon Water Ettrick Water Yarrow Water Gala Water River Leader River Teviot River Till Whiteadder Water Blackadder Water

Major bridges (upstream to downstream)	Carlow's Bridge Neidpath Viaduct Tweed Bridge Yair Bridge Leaderfoot Viaduct Drygrange Old Bridge Dryburgh Suspension Bridge Mertoun Bridge Kelso Bridge Hunter's Bridge Coldstream Bridge Ladykirk and Norham Bridge Union Bridge A1 River Tweed Bridge Royal Border Bridge Royal Tweed Bridge Berwick Bridge

Longest UK rivers Severn Thames Trent Great Ouse Wye Ure/Ouse Tay Spey Clyde Tweed Avon Nene Eden Dee

Coordinates: 55°37′N 3°04′W / 55.617°N 3.067°W / 55.617; -3.067

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