Black Water Gorge

Summary
An adventure canyon with the main feature being a spectacular large falls descended in multiple pitches.
Canyon Descent:
200m
Highest Drop:
50m
Canyon Length:
820m
Minimum Ropes:
2X 60m
Flood Risk:
Low
Access Type:
Public
Rock Type:
Psammite / Microgranite Dykes
Catchment:
8.1km2

*No Water Level Indicator

*No Topo map available

Duration: in, down and out:
IN: 40 mins DOWN: 2.5hrs OUT: 5 mins
Anchors
Mixed
Notes
Anchors natural (webbing or ghosted) with the exception of a bolt belay placed mid way down the main falls at the time of writing. Teams should be experienced with anchor building and have rigging equipment to attempt a descent. **ANCHORS UPDATED MARCH 2025** - Webbing placed on A1 (TR), main pitch rebolted with double 10mm x 80mm long sleeve bolts at the top (TR) and the new rebelay station (TL). A5 double bolted with 10mm x 60mm long sleeve bolts and connected with a Y anchor webbing (TL), A6 ("murder hole") double bolted with 10mm x 80mm long sleeve bolts and connected in a hanging Y anchor with webbing (TR). Ideally an anchor should be placed for the downclimb above the main pitch as this is very slippy and right beside the flow and may prove difficult in higher levels.
Description
The stream can be found between Inverarnan and Ardlui, to the West of Geal Loch. The river splits and goes under the A82 with two narrow bridges, south of which there’s a large layby for parking, or there is a very small layby for one vehicle immediately before the Northern bridge. Approach Option A - Walk up the main road a short way, turn off where there’s a minor road closed to vehicles. This road/track continues north, goes under the railway then bends round south up the hillside to where the gorge comes into view. Approach Option B - Follow the North side (TL) bank up from the road, go under the railway bridge as it crosses the river and enter just above the waterfall marked at the 210m contour. Exit – where canyon reaches either of road bridges. From the start there are a few small features, descend either by downclimbing or natural anchors. Halfway down is the main event ~50m high. From the top you can reach lower platforms to get down in a few pitches using rock anchors and the halfway bolts originally placed (TR). A wet line was bolted (March 2025) which starts from double bolts on TR down to a hanging rebelay on the TL just below the chockstone. This line may be challenging during higher flows. After this the canyon continues with more features including one 10m abseil into deep pool. For this abseil there is the option to rig off of a tree (TL) which takes you through the flow; or go through the false floor using the bolts on the boulders (TR; bolted March 2025) for a full void abseil into "the murder hole" *disclosure no murder has taken place!*.
First Descent Team
Andrew Coultherd, Donald MacQuarrie, Lee Wilson
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Have You Descended This Canyon Recently?
If so we would love to hear from you in the comment section below! Let the whole community know more about this canyon, Information such as time taken to: approach, descend and exit are extremely helpful, as well as any new hazards you may have come across whilst canyoning at this location.  If any information on this page is missing, incorrect or out of date, please get in contact with us directly so we can rectify as soon as possible. 
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Galloway Canyoning
Galloway Canyoning
March 29, 2025 4:41 pm
Canyon Experience :
     

Descended with the team Amelia and Matt.
One incredible canyon with lots of cool features a big main abseil and a cave section to ab into.
An impressive find from the first decent team.
A brilliant day out definitely worth a visit.
We installed new anchors on multiple stations.
Topo and more info to follow from the team.

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