Wick River

{{Short description|River in Highland (Council Area), Scotland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2025}}

{{Infobox river | name = Wick River | native_name =  | name_other = | name_etymology = | nickname =  | image = File:The Wick River - geograph.org.uk - 951715.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The Wick River in Wick. | image_alt =  | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | map_alt = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= | pushpin_map_alt =  | subdivision_type1 = | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= {{coord|58|27|50|n|03|18|11|w|}} | source1_elevation = | mouth = | mouth_location = Bay of Wick | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|58|26|32|n|03|05|18|w|format=dms|region:GB_type:river|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | basin_landmarks = | basin_population = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | waterbodies = | waterfalls = | bridges = | ports = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}

'''Wick River''', known also as '''River Wick''', is a river in Caithness in Highland, Scotland. It has its source at the confluence of Scouthal Burn and Strath Burn near Achingale Mill at the northern end of Bardarclay Moss ({{gbmapping|ND 24070 53578}}) in the Flow Country. The river estuary ({{gbmappingsmall|ND 36571 50934}}), is in the North Sea bay of Wick ({{gbmappingsmall|ND378505}}) and is straddled by the town of Wick. The river flows for {{convert|10|mi}} south-eastwards and empties into Wick Bay.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Munro |first1=David M. |last2=Gittings |first2=Bruce |last3=Munro |first3=David |title=Scotland: an encyclopedia of places & landscape |date=2006 |publisher=Collins |location=Glasgow |isbn=9780004724669 |page=485}}</ref>

The river basin includes Loch Watten and Loch Tofingall ({{gbmappingsmall|ND190522}}) to the west of the estuary, and Loch Hempriggs and the Loch of Yarrows ({{gbmappingsmall|ND309438}}) to the south/southwest.

==Tributaries== Viewed upstream from the estuary, the river and its tributaries can be listed as follows: * Wick River ** Burn of Newton *** Loch Hempriggs **** Burn of Thrumster ***** Loch of Yarrows ** Burn of Gillock ** Achairn Burn ***Alt Beag-airighe ***Camster Loch *** Toftgunn headwaters ** Loch Burn, Watten *** Loch Watten ** Scouthal Burn *** Burn of Acharole **** Loch Burn (Toftingall) ***** Loch of Toftingall ** Strath Burn *** Kensary Burn *** Camster Burn, known also as Rowens Burn

==Estuary== The Wick River estuary ranges from the vicinity of Wick Harbour ({{gbmappingsmall|ND370508}}) to an area about 2.5 kilometres inland ({{gbmappingsmall|ND346517}}).

On both sides of the estuary, areas of Wick are built on artificial embankment which have narrowed the river channel, or have fixed a channel where otherwise the area would be more that of tidal beach.

==Bridges== The river is spanned by one railway, three roads and two footbridges. In order from the sea, they are: * Within Wick ({{gbmappingsmall|ND365509}}), the Harbour Bridge spans the river at its mouth, to link Wick town centre with Wick Harbour and Pulteneytown. It stands instead of the earlier Service Bridge. * Also in Wick ({{gbmappingsmall|ND363509}}), the river is spanned by the main road linking John o' Groats with Latheron and Inverness (the A99-A9). The bridge here is known as the Bridge of Wick and it carries an extension of Wick’s Bridge Street. * Around 500 metres west of the Bridge of Wick ({{gbmappingsmall|ND358510}}), a footbridge spans the river via an island in the river, and this serves as a link between recreational meadows on the north and south banks. * About halfway between the footbridge and the railway bridge there is another footbridge. * Around 300 metres east of Mary Ford ({{gbmappingsmall|ND328523}}), the river is crossed by the railway which links the burgh of Wick with the burgh of Thurso and the city of Inverness. * In Watten ({{gbmappingsmall|ND244543}}), the river is crossed by the main highway, A882, linking Wick with Thurso, known as Achingale Bridge.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{oscoor gbx|ND 36571 50934}} {{Commons category|Wick River}}

Category:Rivers of Highland (council area)