Water of Ken

The Water of Ken is a river in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire in Galloway, south-west Scotland.
It rises on Blacklorg Hill, north-east of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in the Carsphairn hills, and flows south-westward into The Glenkens, passing through Kendoon, Carsfad and Earlstoun lochs, all of which are dammed to supply the Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme. At Kendoon Dam the Ken is joined by a major tributary the Water of Deugh. From there, the river flows south, passing St. John's Town of Dalry and New Galloway, before widening to form the 9-mile long Loch Ken.
The Black Water of Dee also enters halfway down the loch, and from Glenlochar, at the south end of the loch, the river continues as the Dee towards Kirkcudbright and the coast.
There are a number of interesting bridges over the Water of Ken. Smeaton’s Bridge[1] (Sometimes Smitton’s Bridge) carries the B729 road which runs between Carsphairn and Moniaive. It crosses the Ken a half mile above the confluence of the Stroanfreggan burn. This bridge has a single arch 42 ft long.[2]
A few miles further downstream the High Bridge of Ken spans the river at a narrow ravine on the B7000 back road from Carsphairn to St John's Town of Dalry. The bridge has 2 arches each 24 ft long. British listed buildings website describes the bridge as early 18th century, possibly earlier origin.[3]
Further downstream again the Ken Bridge lies between St John's Town of Dalry and New Galloway.This bridge carries the A712 road and dates from 1822. It has 5 granite arches and is 340 ft long.[4] Immediately adjacent to the bridge is the Ken Bridge Hotel.

Photographs of the Ken
  • Ken Bridge, view from the 'beer garden' of The Ken Bridge Hotel
  • Water of Ken looking upstream from the Smeaton Bridge
  • Water of Ken and bridge near Lorg
  • Smittons Bridge looking upstream
  • Water Of Ken looking upstream to the High Bridge
  • Water Of Ken looking downstream to the Smeaton Bridge
  • The High Bridge of Ken

Water of Ken
the Water of Ken upstream from High Bridge of Ken
Location
CountryScotland
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationBlacklorg Hill
Mouth 
 • location
Loch Ken
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftStroanfreggan Burn
 • rightWater of Deugh, Craigengillan Burn




References
  1. http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB3628
  2. https://canmore.org.uk/site/64357/smittons-bridge
  3. https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200334746-high-bridge-of-ken-dalry-dumf-galloway#.XvHQVN_NZhE
  4. https://canmore.org.uk/site/64216/ken-bridge

The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership


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