Loch Eck

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Loch Eck
Loch Eich (Scottish Gaelic)
Loch Eck - geograph.org.uk - 125316.jpg
A view of the loch, looking north.
Argyll and Bute UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Loch Eck
Loch eck bathymetry.png
LocationArgyll and Bute, Scotland.
Coordinates 56°04′46″N4°59′40″W / 56.079508°N 4.9944191°W / 56.079508; -4.9944191
National grid reference NS 13753 91453
Type Freshwater Loch and Reservoir.
Primary inflows River Cur
Primary outflows River Eachaig
Catchment area 139.9 km2 (54.0 sq mi) [1]
Basin  countriesScotland, United Kingdom.
Designation Site of Special Scientific Interest
Surface area4,259,000 m2 (45,840,000 sq ft)
Max. depth43 m (141 ft)
Water volume67,400,000 m3 (2.38×109 cu ft)
Surface elevation24 m (79 ft)
References [2]

Loch Eck (Gaelic: Loch Eich) is a freshwater loch located on the Cowal Peninsula, north of Dunoon, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is seven miles (11 kilometres) long. It is oriented in a north-south direction. Its main inflow, at the northern end, is the River Cur, and its main outflow, at the southern end, is the River Eachaig, which meanders somewhat within the confines of the broad strath before flowing into the head of Holy Loch, about 5 km further south.

Contents

Along with Loch Lomond, it is the only naturally occurring habitat of the powan (fish), [3] [4] although it is closely related to the gwyniad and other similar fish. The loch also has salmon, sea trout, brown trout and arctic char. [5]

Loch Eck is within the Argyll Forest Park, which is itself part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. [6] [7] It is close to the Benmore Botanic Garden and the Benmore Outdoor Centre, which uses the loch and its surrounding for outdoor learning. [8]

The A815 road bounds the east side. [9] A pathway runs along the west side of the loch, and gives access to the Paper Caves, set in the steep hillside with caving access to a platform set above a steep scarp within the cave. [10] A legend holds that the Argyll family documents were hidden in the caves when the 9th Earl of Argyll was arrested, to prevent his lands from being made forfeit. [8]

The loch is an impounding reservoir, with a low concrete dam. Construction work began in 1974. The Loch Eck water treatment works opened in 1977, upgraded in 2012 by Scottish Water, which supplies the freshwater to much of the southeast of Cowal, including Dunoon. [11] [12]

In July 2013, two dogs died due to algal bloom present in the loch. Warnings were then posted advising that people and animals should avoid contact with the water. [13] [14] There were three further incidents: one in June 2019 and two in July 2021. [15]

The actress Emma Thompson owns a house on the shore of the loch. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll and Bute</span> Council area of Scotland

Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod. The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Councillor Jim Lynch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunoon</span> Town in Scotland

Dunoon is the main town on the Cowal Peninsula in the south of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well as forming part of the council area of Argyll and Bute, Dunoon also has its own community council. Dunoon was a burgh until 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowal</span> Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Cowal is a rugged peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by Loch Fyne to the west, by Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde to the east, and by the Kyles of Bute to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Long</span> Sea-loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Loch Long is a body of water in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Sea Loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end. It measures approximately 20 miles in length, with a width of between one and two miles. The loch also has an arm, Loch Goil, on its western side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmun</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Kilmun is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch, on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. It takes its name from the 7th-century monastic community founded by an Irish monk, St Munn. The ruin of a 12th-century church still stands beside the Kilmun Parish Church and Argyll Mausoleum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benmore Botanic Garden</span> Botanical garden in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Benmore Botanic Garden is a large botanical garden situated in Strath Eachaig at the foot of Beinn Mhòr, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The gardens are on the west side of the A815 road from Dunoon, between the Holy Loch and Loch Eck, and include footbridges across the River Eachaig. It is one of the sites of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardentinny</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Ardentinny is a small village on the western shore of Loch Long, 14 miles (23 km) north of Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Croe</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute


Glen Croe is a glen in the heart of the Arrochar Alps on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The glen is surrounded by large and rugged mountains characterised by huge boulders. The Croe Water flows through the glen and into Loch Long.

Whistlefield is a hamlet on the east shore of Loch Eck on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. It is home to the Category C listed building, the Whistlefield Inn, which was established around 1801–1804. The hamlet is within the Argyll Forest Park, which is itself part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strachur</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Strachur and Strathlachlan are united parishes located on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A815 road (Scotland)</span> Road in Scotland

The A815 is a major road located on the Cowal peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It runs for about 35.7 miles (57.5 km) from the A83, near Cairndow, in the north to Toward in the south. It passes beside three lochs, while its final stretch is along the Firth of Clyde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beinn Mhòr (Cowal)</span> Highest mountain on the Cowal Peninsula west of Loch Eck in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Beinn Mhòr is the highest mountain on the Cowal Peninsula, west of Loch Eck in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It has a high topographic prominence to height ratio and consequently commands a good all round view.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll Forest Park</span> Park in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Argyll Forest Park is a forest park located on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. Established in 1935, it was the first forest park to be created in the United Kingdom. The park is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, and covers 211 km2 in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenbranter</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Glenbranter is a hamlet and former estate, once owned by Sir Harry Lauder, on the northwest shore of Loch Eck in the Argyll Forest Park, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coylet</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Coylet is a hamlet on Loch Eck, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland.

Rashfield is a hamlet on the Cowal Peninsula, situated between Loch Eck and the head of Holy Loch, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. The hamlet is on the A815 road and the River Eachaig flows pass from Loch Eck to the Holy Loch. Rashfield is within the Argyll Forest Park which is itself within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Eachaig</span> River

The River Eachaig is a river on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puck's Glen</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK


Puck's Glen is a river-formed ravine on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland, with a popular scenic walking trail beside the Eas Mòr stream. In 2020 the glen and adjoining trails were closed temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions, issues of stability of the gorge, and felling of trees infected by larch disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Kinglas</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute

Glen Kinglas is a glen located on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The glen is one of the main glens in the Arrochar Alps, the A83 road from Arrochar and Loch Lomond passes through the glen. At the north end of the glen, a pass leads to Glen Croe, passing Loch Restil. At the south of the glen the A815 road leaves the A83 and leads through the Cowal peninsula to Dunoon on the Firth of Clyde coast. The A83 continues on past Cairndow and Loch Fyne Oysters to Inveraray and Inveraray Castle on Loch Fyne.

References

  1. ↑ "86002 - Eachaig at Eckford". National River Flow Archive. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  2. ↑ Murray, Sir John; Pullar, Laurence (1910). Bathymetrical Survey of the Scottish Fresh Water Lochs. Edinburgh.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008) Coregonus clupeoides. In:IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. (Accessed 17 April 2010)
  4. ↑ "Vendace and powan". NatureScot. Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Loch Eck | Fishing | Argyll & the Isles | Welcome to Scotland". www.welcometoscotland.com. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  6. ↑ "Argyll Forest Park - Forestry Commission Scotland". Scotland.forestry.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  7. ↑ "Map of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park" (PDF). Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Of Interest: Things to look out for". Benmore Centre for Outdoor Learning, Dunoon Argyll, Scotland, UK. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. ↑ Smith, Fraser (4 November 2019). "Loch Eck | Cowal | Argyll". Wild About Argyll. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Loch Eck, Paper Caves". Canmore. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  11. ↑ "Clearer, fresher drinking water for 20,000 people in Cowal" (Press release). Scottish Water. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  12. ↑ https://waterprojectsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/case_studies/2007/Loch-Eck-WTW-2007.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  13. ↑ "Loch Eck water warning issued as two dogs die suddenly after swimming | Glasgow & West | News | STV".
  14. ↑ "Argyll, Cowal and Dunoon News | Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard". www.dunoon-observer.com.
  15. ↑ "Our Dunoon surgery has recently seen 2 separate cases of suspected blue-green algae poisoning in dogs". Bute & Cowal Vets. 19 July 2021 – via Facebook.
  16. ↑ Hattersley, Giles (7 May 2021). "Emma Thompson On Playing Fashionable Villain Baroness Von Hellman In 'Cruella' | British Vogue". www.vogue.co.uk.

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