'Loch Tay' (
Scottish Gaelic, ''Loch Tatha'') is a freshwater
loch in the central
highlands of
Scotland, in the district of
Perthshire.
It is a long narrow loch of around 14 miles (23 km) long, and typically around 1 to 1 1/2 miles wide, following the line of the valley from the south west to north east. It is the sixth largest loch in Scotland by area and over 150 m deep at its deepest.
Ben Lawers on its north shore is at 1214 m the 9th highest mountain in the
British Isles, and is the highest peak in a group of seven
munros.
Killin at the head of the loch, and
Kenmore at the outflow of the
River Tay, are the main settlements on the lochside today. The smaller settlements of
Ardeonaig and
Ardtalnaig are located on the south side of the loch whilst
Fearnan and Lawers are on the north side. The loch is fed by the rivers
Dochart and Lochay at its head and numerous smaller streams.
In ancient times (in the
Iron Age) people lived on defensible, man-made islands on the loch, called
Crannogs. More than 20 submerged crannogs have been identified in the loch. An example has now been reconstructed on the south side of the loch at the ''Scottish Crannog Centre''.
The loch is a popular spot for salmon fishing.
The loch, and many of its surroundings, feature in the traditional Scottish '
Loch Tay Boat Song' (
Scottish Gaelic, ''Iorram Loch Tatha'').
Gallery
External links
★
The Scottish Crannog Centre
★
some facts about Loch Tay and its history