Loch Achray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Achray |
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looking west to Ben Venue
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 Loch Achray
Location in Stirling
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| Location | Stirling, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°13′36″N 4°23′42″W / 56.2267°N 4.3950°W |
| Primary outflows | Black Water |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Surface area | 82 ha (200 acres) |
| Average depth | 11 m (36 ft) |
Loch Achray is a beautiful freshwater loch (which means lake) located about 11 kilometers (7 miles) west of Callander in the Stirling area of Scotland.
This lovely loch sits between two other famous lochs, Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar. It is right in the middle of a stunning area known as the Trossachs. Loch Achray is about 11 meters (36 feet) deep on average.
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History of Loch Achray
For a while, Loch Achray was home to a man named James "Beg" Stewart. He lived there around the 1400s. James was the son of a powerful leader, James Mor Stewart, who was also known as "James the Fat."
James Stewart's Story
James Mor Stewart had to leave Scotland and go to Ireland. This happened because his father, Murdoch Stewart, was accused of treason and executed by the king in 1425. James Mor never came back to Scotland.
However, his son, James "Beg" Stewart, was able to get a special pardon from the king. This meant he could return to Scotland. James "Beg" is an ancestor of the Stewart family who lived by Lochearnside. Their family story is even mentioned in a famous book called A Legend of Montrose by Sir Walter Scott.
James "Beg" Stewart had a small hunting lodge on a tiny island at the west end of Loch Achray. He used this lodge as a safe place if he ever needed to escape quickly.
The Story of the Magpie's Nest
In 1812, a writer named Alexander Campbell shared an interesting story about James "Beg" Stewart. One day, a group of hunters from Argyleshire (another part of Scotland) came to the King's forests. These forests were looked after by James Stewart. The hunters killed many deer without asking James for permission.
As the hunters were returning, they met James near his island hut. They asked him, "What magpie built its nest on that island?" James replied, "One that has ignored all greedy hawks, no matter where they come from."
The hunters then said, "Tell the magpie that we are ready to hunt around his nest. We will visit his nest soon, and maybe our hawks will show him how skilled they are!"
James was a bit annoyed by this threat. He quickly replied, "It's also possible that this chattering magpie, by the time your hawks arrive, will have called together the hawks of these mountains. They might decide not to let any strange hawks enter their territory!"
They parted ways. The Campbells did return as they promised. But James "Beg" Stewart had gathered his own people from nearby glens. He met the Argyleshire group with such force that very few of them returned to tell about their "hawking match."
Fun Activities at Loch Achray
The south side of Loch Achray is covered in beautiful woods. There are many walking paths and forest roads to explore.
The loch is also a popular spot for anglers. They often come to catch brown trout.
Loch Achray is famous for being a very calm and sheltered place. This means its waters are often still, creating amazing reflections. You can see the woods on the south side, the mountains and forests to the north, and the grand cliffs of Ben Venue to the west, all perfectly mirrored in the water.
