Leithen Water ( gd, Leitheann / Abhainn Leitheinn) is a tributary of the
River Tweed in
Scotland. It rises in the
Moorfoot Hills
The Moorfoot Hills are a range of hills south of Edinburgh in east central Scotland, one of the ranges which collectively form the Southern Uplands.
Etymology
The name ''Moorfoot'' was recorded as ''Morthwait'' in 1142. The second element is O ...
and joins the Tweed near the town of
Innerleithen, whose name comes from the
Scottish Gaelic ''inbhir'', meaning a
confluence
In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. A confluence can occur in several configurations: at the point where a tributary joins a larger river (main stem); o ...
, and anglicised as "inner" or "inver". The Brythonic equivalent is "Aber". "Leithen" is a Celtic name meaning grey in colour (c.f. Welsh ''llwydion'').
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 Innerleithen 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
John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (; 26 August 1875 – 11 February 1940) was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
After a brief legal career ...
.
Tributaries of the River Tweed
Rivers of the Scottish Borders
1Leithen
{{Scotland-river-stub
