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Glen Etive (Scottish Gaelic:Gleann Èite) is aglen in theScottish Highlands. TheRiver Etive (Scottish Gaelic:Abhainn Èite) rises on the peaks surroundingRannoch Moor, with severaltributarystreams coming together at theKings House Hotel,[1] at the head ofGlen Coe. From the Kings House, the Etive flows for about 18 kilometres (11 miles), reachingLoch Etive, asea loch. The river and its tributaries are popular with whitewaterkayakers and at high water levels it is a test piece of the area and a classic run.
At the north end of Glen Etive lie the two mountains known as the "Herdsmen of Etive":Buachaille Etive Mòr andBuachaille Etive Beag. Other peaks accessible from the Glen includeBen Starav, located near the head of Loch Etive, andBeinn Fhionnlaidh on the northern side of the glen. The scenic beauty of the glen has led to its inclusion theBen Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area,[2] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[3]
A narrowroad from the Kings House Hotel runs down the glen, serving severalhouses andfarms. This road ends at the head of the loch, though rough tracks continue along both shores.
The River Etive is one of Scotland's most popular and challenging white water kayaking runs. It provides a multitude of solid Grade 4(5) rapids with a variety of falls and pool drops. It is home to a herd ofScottish red deer that have become accustomed to the presence of humans.[4]
In theUlster Cycle ofIrish mythology, the tragic heroineDeirdre and her loveNaoise founded Glen Etive after fleeingUlster.[5]
TheFachen is also known as the Dwarf of Glen Etive.[6]
Glen Etive has been used as the backdrop to many movies, among themBraveheart,Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix andSkyfall.[7] The resulting influx of visitors has led to concerns about the spoilage of the glen through littering andfly-tipping.[7]
56°36′4″N5°0′21″W / 56.60111°N 5.00583°W /56.60111; -5.00583