The River Dee, in south-west Scotland, flows from its source in Loch Dee, amongst the Galloway Hills, firstly to Clatteringshaws Loch, and then in to Loch Ken, where it joins the Water of Ken. From there, the Dee flows 15 miles southwards to Kirkcudbright, and into Kirkcudbright Bay to reach the Solway. The distance is just over 38 miles in total. The ruins of Threave Castle stand on an island on the lower part of the Dee. The river is dammed at Tongland, two miles up the river from Kirkcudbright, to supply a power station there, part of the Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme constructed in the 30s. Also at this site is Tongland Bridge, constructed in 1806, by Thomas Telford. It has also been known as The Black Water of Dee, because of its dark colour in the stretch above Loch Ken.
