Rivers crossing the lowlands

Meandering rivers

These are typically single channel sand bedded rivers flowing over wide flat floodplains. The channel evolves and migrates across the floodplain in response to the flow path of the channel current (thalweg). as out side bank of a river bend (above a deep pool) is undercut, and sediment carried downstream, where it may be deposited in a lateral bar or riffle.

Upper River Clyde near Carstairs (Photo Pat MacDonald / SNH) 

Bedrock controlled rivers

Rock gorges and waterfalls may form where the river has been able to cut through hard rock sections.

Falls of Clyde, New Lanark (Photo SNH) 

Lowland lake deltas

Deltas  form where rivers enter a loch, as a result of river flow slowing down and sediment being dropped into the loch water. In lowland lochs the delta is often built of sands and silts and clays (muds).