Loch Ard
Encyclopedia
Loch Ard is a body of fresh water in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
of the Stirling District
in Scotland
. (.)
is approximately 4 kilometres long by 2 kilometres wide and runs approximately east-west along a sheltered glen. It is considered to be the source of the River Forth
and lies downstream of Loch Chon
. The loch contains two small islands, the larger of which, St. Mallo, is rumored to have an old chapel dedicated to that saint, and the smaller, Dundochill, may have been the site of a castle built by the Duke of Albany
. Though one of Scotland's smaller lochs, it is one of the most picturesque and its sheltered location means it is ideal for kayaking and other water sports.
and rowing
club. The villages of Kinlochard, and Milton lie on its shores. The village of Aberfoyle
lies 3 kilometres to its east while the mountain of Ben Lomond
sits to its west.
, walking
, and horseback trails. These trails, some with waymarkers, link into a much larger network of forest fire roads, which can take the intrepid rider on 30 km+ circular routes through the Park
. The Loch Ard Family Sculpture Trails provide an interactive outdoor experience, with sculptures placed along the trails, interesting seating, and sound posts, among other features.
Loch Ard is also home to many different species of wildlife, such as roe deer
, barn owls, capercaillie
, and various types of plants and insects. The loch welcomes fishermen with a stock of brown trout, pike, and perch .
The name of the loch comes from àrd, the Scottish Gaelic word for high. Loch Ard
, a three-masted, square-rigged clipper
ship bore its name. The ship sank off the coast of Australia at what has been known since as Loch Ard Gorge
.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous...
of the Stirling District
Stirling (council area)
Stirling is one of the 32 unitary local government council areas of Scotland, and has a population of about 87,000 . It was created under the Local Government etc Act 1994 with the boundaries of the Stirling district of the former Central local government region, and it covers most of the former...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. (.)
Overview
The lochLoch
Loch is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic word for a lake or a sea inlet. It has been anglicised as lough, although this is pronounced the same way as loch. Some lochs could also be called a firth, fjord, estuary, strait or bay...
is approximately 4 kilometres long by 2 kilometres wide and runs approximately east-west along a sheltered glen. It is considered to be the source of the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
and lies downstream of Loch Chon
Loch Chon
Loch Chon is a freshwater loch which lies upstream from Loch Ard, situated west of the village of Aberfoyle.It releases its water into 4½ km long Chon Water, which not far from the outlet passes small Loch Chu, and is the main affluent of Loch Ard....
. The loch contains two small islands, the larger of which, St. Mallo, is rumored to have an old chapel dedicated to that saint, and the smaller, Dundochill, may have been the site of a castle built by the Duke of Albany
Duke of Albany
Duke of Albany is a peerage title that has occasionally been bestowed on the younger sons in the Scottish, and later the British, royal family, particularly in the Houses of Stuart and Hanover....
. Though one of Scotland's smaller lochs, it is one of the most picturesque and its sheltered location means it is ideal for kayaking and other water sports.
Location
The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park encompasses Loch Ard and the surrounding forest. The waters of Loch Ard are home to both a sailingSailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
and rowing
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
club. The villages of Kinlochard, and Milton lie on its shores. The village of Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle is a village in the region of Stirling, Scotland, northwest of Glasgow.The town is situated on the River Forth at the base of Craigmore...
lies 3 kilometres to its east while the mountain of Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond , , is a distinctive mountain in the Scottish Highlands. Situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, it is the most southerly of the Munros...
sits to its west.
Activities
Loch Ard is surrounded by 16 miles of family friendly mountain bikeMountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
, walking
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
, and horseback trails. These trails, some with waymarkers, link into a much larger network of forest fire roads, which can take the intrepid rider on 30 km+ circular routes through the Park
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous...
. The Loch Ard Family Sculpture Trails provide an interactive outdoor experience, with sculptures placed along the trails, interesting seating, and sound posts, among other features.
Loch Ard is also home to many different species of wildlife, such as roe deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, barn owls, capercaillie
Capercaillie
The Western Capercaillie , also known as the Wood Grouse, Heather Cock or Capercaillie , is the largest member of the grouse family, reaching over 100 cm in length and 6.7 kg in weight. The largest one ever recorded in captivity had a weight of 7.2 kg....
, and various types of plants and insects. The loch welcomes fishermen with a stock of brown trout, pike, and perch .
The name of the loch comes from àrd, the Scottish Gaelic word for high. Loch Ard
Loch Ard (ship)
The Loch Ard was a ship which was wrecked at Muton bird Island just off the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria, Australia in 1878. The name was drawn from Loch Ard, a lake which lies to the west of the village of Aberfoyle, and to the east of Loch Lomond...
, a three-masted, square-rigged clipper
Clipper
A clipper was a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts and a square rig. They were generally narrow for their length, could carry limited bulk freight, small by later 19th century standards, and had a large total sail area...
ship bore its name. The ship sank off the coast of Australia at what has been known since as Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge
The Loch Ard Gorge is part of Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia, about 10 minutes drive west of The Twelve Apostles. It is a visible example of the process of erosion in action.-History:...
.