Loch Katrine

Infobox lake
lake_name = Loch Katrine
image_lake = Loch Katrine.jpg
caption_lake = Above Stronachlachar, looking eastward along the length of the loch
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location = Stirling, Scotland
coords = coord|56|15|16|N|4|30|56|W|region:GB-STG_type:waterbody_source:dewiki|display=inline,title
type = freshwater loch, reservoir
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catchment =
basin_countries = United Kingdom
length = 13 km
width = 1 km
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Loch Katrine (Scottish Gaelic Loch Ceiterein pronounced|lˠ̪ɔx kʲeʰd̊ʲəɾʲɛɲ) is a freshwater loch in the district of Stirling, Scotland. It is roughly 13 kilometres long by 1 kilometre wide and runs the length of Strath Gartney (Gaelic: "Srath Ghartain"). It is a popular destination for tourists and day visitors from Glasgow and other nearby towns.

ettlements

The main access points for Loch Katrine are either via Trossachs Pier at the loch's eastern end or Stronachlachar (Gaelic "Sròn a' Chlachair" "the headland of the stonemason") towards the western end of the loch. Trossachs Pier essentially consists of a parking space, pier, gift shop and restaurant (the Anchor's Rest) which are open from the first to the last sailing of the cruise boats.

On the northern shore are the Brenchoile hunting lodge and the farms Letter (Gaelic: "Leitir"), Edra (Gaelic: "Eatarra" "between them"), Strone (Gaelic: "An t-Sròn" "the nose"), Coilachra, Portnellan (Gaelic: "Port an Eilein" "port of the island") and Glengyle (Gaelic: "Gleann Goill" "glen of a lowlander"), on the southern are The Dhu (Gaelic: "An Dubh" "the black") at the western end of the loch, Stronachlachar, the Royal Cottage, Culligart and Glasahoile (Gaelic: "Glas-choille" "greywood").

The roads and paths do not circle the loch completely, as the southern road stops at Glasahoile.

Islands

There are several small islands in Loch Katrine such as Ellen's Isle (Gaelic: "An t-Eilean Molach" "the shingly isle"), the Black Isle and Factor's Island (Gaelic: "Eilean a' Bhàillidh").

History

Loch Katrine is owned by Scottish Water and is the primary water reservoir for much of the city of Glasgow and its surrounding areas. The water level has been artificially raised by around 6 feet - the Loch can be drawn down by a maximum of 7 ft in order to provide gravitational flow to Milngavie water treatment works via a 26 mile long aqueduct. Milngavie itself is situated at almost 400ft above sea level - sufficient to provide adequate water pressure to the majority of Glasgow without the need for pumping. The system can deliver up to 50,000,000 gallons a day. Construction was started in 1855 and the works was opened by Queen Victoria in 1859. The aqueduct project was built under the guidance of James Watt and Thomas Telford, an example of their engineering prowess that can still be seen working today.

Water levels are supplemented via a short tunnel from Loch Arklett, a reservoir located between Loch Katrine itself and Loch Lomond, beside the road to Inversnaid.

Oil-fired vessels are not permitted to sail its waters due to the danger of pollution to the drinking water of Glasgow. Instead a wood-burning, steam-powered boat named the SS Sir Walter Scott, currently being refurbished to enable it to run on biofuel, offers local tourist transport between Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar during summer. Robert Roy MacGregor was born at the head of the loch.

Other information

Fly and boat fishing for trout is permitted on the loch from spring to autumn.

The lake of Sir Walter Scott's "The Lady of the Lake" is Loch Katrine.

Loch Katrine is also the name of a lake in North Canterbury, New Zealand.

References

Newton, M. "Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid" Acair 1999 ISBN 0-86152 265 62008 "Loch Katrine" tourist brochure produced by the Scottish Tourist Board