Stirling Rowing Club is based on the River Forth which rises at Loch Ard in The Trossachs, some 19 miles west of Stirling. It flows roughly eastward, through Aberfoyle, joining with the Duchray and Kelty Water, and out over the flat expanse of the Flanders Moss.

It is then joined by the River Teith and the River Allan, before meandering throgh the ancient City of Stirling. At this point, the river widens and becomes tidal and it is here the last (seasonal) ford of the river exists

From here, the Forth flows east over the Carse of Stirling and pass the towns of Cambus, Alloa and Airth. When reaching Kincardie, the river begins to widen into an estuary, the Firth of Forth.

Bridges over the Forth

Upstream of Stirling, the river is rather small and is crossed in numerous places (although prior to modern drainage works, the ground was often treacherously marshy near the riverbank). After its confluence with the Teith and Allan, the river is sufficiently wide that a significant bridge is required. A bridge has existed at Stirling since at least the 13th century, and until the opening of the road crossing at Kincardine in 1936, Stirling remained the easternmost road crossing. Much further downstream at Queensferry the famous rail bridge opened in 1890 and a modern road bridge in 1964. A swinging railway bridge between Alloa on the north shore and Throsk on the south opened in 1885 and was closed (and largely demolished) in 1970.

Plans to construct a new road bridge slightly to the West of the existing Forth road Bridge have been announced by the Scottish Executive. It is planned to open in 2016.

River Map

The Rowing Club has produced a map of the River Forth. You may require to download Adobe Acrobat to view the map.