Glen Lean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Lean |
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Glen Lean, the B836 - geograph.org.uk - 922936
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| Geography | |
| Location | Cowal, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. |
| Country | Scotland |
| OS grid | NS 08731 83563 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Glen |
Glen Lean is a beautiful valley located on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It's a special kind of valley called a "glen," which is a Scottish word for a narrow valley. This glen was carved out by huge glaciers during the Ice Age, which means it has steep, almost straight-up sides in many places.
Glen Lean stretches from the eastern end at Holy Loch all the way to the western end at Loch Striven. The only small village you'll find in the glen is Clachaig. A river called the Little Eachaig River flows through the glen. It eventually joins the River Eachaig and empties into the Holy Loch. Another important landmark in the glen is the Tarsan Dam.
What is Glen Lean?
Glen Lean is a long, narrow valley found in the Cowal area of Scotland. It's a great example of how powerful glaciers can be. Thousands of years ago, during the Ice Age, huge sheets of ice moved across the land. As they moved, they slowly scraped away rock and soil, creating the deep, U-shaped valley we see today. This is why parts of the glen have very steep sides.
Rivers and Lochs
The main river flowing through Glen Lean is the Little Eachaig River. This river starts its journey within the glen. As it travels, it eventually meets up with the larger River Eachaig. Both rivers then flow into the Holy Loch, which is a sea loch connected to the ocean.
At the western end of Glen Lean, you'll find Loch Striven. This is another sea loch that connects the glen to the wider coastal waters. The Tarsan Dam is also a notable feature in the glen. Dams like this are often built to control water levels or generate electricity.
Historical Features
Glen Lean also holds a piece of history. Near the village of Clachaig, you can find the ruins of an old building. This was once a powder mill, built around the year 1840. A powder mill was a factory where gunpowder was made. Gunpowder was very important in the past for things like mining and quarrying.
Traveling Through the Glen
If you want to explore Glen Lean, you can travel along the B836. This road goes right through the middle of the glen. It's a "single-track road," which means it's narrow and only wide enough for one car at a time in most places. Drivers often have to use special passing places to let other cars go by.
