River Ness

River Ness
River Ness looking downstream towards the Greig St Bridge
Basin features
Main source	Loch Ness 52.49 ft (16.00 m)
River mouth	Beauly Firth 0 ft (0 m)
Basin size	1,850 km2 (710 sq mi)
Physical characteristics
Length	12 mi (19 km)
Discharge	Average rate: 91 m3/s (3,200 cu ft/s)

The River Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Nis) is a river about 12 miles or 20 km long, which flows from the northern end of Loch Ness in Scotland, through Loch Dochfour, north-east to Inverness, with a total fall in height of about 16 metres before discharging into the Beauly Firth. The river is the origin of the name of Inverness which is from the Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis, meaning "Mouth of the Ness".

Dochgarroch weir at the downstream end of Loch Dochfour delineates the start of the River Ness. At Carnarc Point on the west bank the river discharges into the eastern end of the Beauly Firth, which is a continuation of the Moray Firth, at Kessock. The northern section of the Caledonian Canal passes partly through the River Ness and partly alongside it. The river Ness is of glacial origin. Although of short length the River Ness has one of the highest average discharge rates in the UK of 11,000 cu ft/s (300m³/s).

Although the River Ness starts at Dochgarroch weir at the downstream end of Loch Dochfour it is supplied by Loch Ness and so all the rivers flowing into Loch Ness are part of the River Ness catchment area:

On a hill above the river in Inverness stands Inverness Castle. Next to the castle is the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. The river is overlooked by the Eden Court Theatre, one of the largest theatres in Scotland. St. Andrew's Cathedral also lies on the banks of the River Ness as does Old High St Stephen's which stands on a hill known as St Michael's Mount. Inverness draws many tourists and there are hotels along the river.