Loch Venachar

Loch Venachar (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Bheannchair[1]) is a freshwater loch in Stirling district, Scotland.

Loch Venachar
A lake at sunrise, flanked by trees and hills
Early morning view
Loch Venachar is located in Stirling
Loch Venachar
Loch Venachar
LocationCallander, Perthshire, Scotland
Coordinates56.22076°N 4.30226°W / 56.22076; -4.30226
Typefreshwater loch
Primary inflowsBlack Water
Primary outflowsEas Gobhain
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Max. length6 km (3.7 mi)
Max. depth33 m (108 ft)
Surface elevation82 m (269 ft)

Geography

The old dam

The loch is situated between Callander and Brig o' Turk. It lies approximately 82 metres (269 ft) above sea level, and is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) long[2] with a maximum depth of approximately 33 metres (108 ft).[3]

The Black Water discharges from Loch Achray into the western end of Loch Venachar, and at the eastern end emerges the Eas Gobhain which joins with the Garbh Uisge (River Leny) at Callander to form the River Teith. A small dam, which controls the water level, was built in the 19th century by John F. Bateman and is now a Listed building.[4]

An island in the loch, Portnellan island, is an Iron Age crannog and has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[2]

The south shore of the loch is covered by woodland containing numerous forest tracks, some leading over the hills to the Lake of Menteith and some leading westward along the loch to Loch Achray and the Trossachs. Invertrossachs House, which was visited by Queen Victoria in 1869, is also located on the south shore.[5]

Leisure

National Cycle Network sign on the South shore

Venachar sailing club is accessible from the Invertrossachs private road. This sailing club uses the loch for regular racing events between March and October.[6] To the North of the loch is Ben Ledi, which at 879 metres (2,884 ft) is classified as a Corbett.[7]

A brown trout stocking programme recommenced in 2016 under the management of the Loch Venachar Association and the loch also has stocks of pike, salmon, sea trout and perch.[8] Fishing is available, by permit, from the shore and by boat.[3]

References

  1. Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness. Vol. 30. Inverness Gaelic Society. 1924. p. 105. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. "Loch Venachar". Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  3. "Loch Venachar, Scotland". Loch Venechar Association. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. "Loch Venachar dam including sluice house, weir and fish ladder (former Glasgow corporation water works)". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  5. McKerracher, Archie (2000). Perthshire in history and legend. John Donald. p. 111.
  6. "Loch Venachar Sailing Club". Loch Venachar Sailing Club. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  7. "Ben Ledi and Ben Vane Routes on the Corbetts above Loch Lubnaig". Steven Fallon. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  8. "Loch venecaher". Fishing the Trossachs. Retrieved 7 March 2020.

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