Strath

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A strath is a large valley, typically a river valley that is wide and shallow (as opposed to a glen which is typically narrower and deep).

An anglicisation of the Gaelic word srath, it is one of many that are have been absorbed into common use in the English language. It is commonly used in the Scottish Highlands to describe a wide valley, even by non-Gaelic speakers. Historically however, it has had a wider range, for example Nithsdale in the far south was originally "Stranit".

It occurs in numerous Scottish place names (such as Strathspey and Strathclyde) and also Strath-Taieri in New Zealand.

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