Loch Eck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Eck |
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A view of the loch, looking south.
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 Loch Eck
Location in Argyll and Bute
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| Location | Argyll and Bute, Scotland. |
| Coordinates | 56°04′46″N 4°59′40″W / 56.079508°N 4.9944191°W National |
| Type | Freshwater Loch and Reservoir. |
| Native name | Loch Eich Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Cur |
| Primary outflows | River Eachaig |
| Catchment area | Cowal. |
| Basin countries | Scotland, United Kingdom. |
| Surface area | 4,259,000 m2 (45,840,000 sq ft) |
| Max. depth | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Water volume | 67,400,000 m3 (2.38×109 cu ft) |
| Surface elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
Loch Eck (in Gaelic: Loch Eich) is a beautiful freshwater loch in Scotland. It is located on the Cowal peninsula, just north of Dunoon in Argyll and Bute. This long, narrow loch stretches for about 7 miles (11 km).
Loch Eck is part of the amazing Argyll Forest Park. This park is also a section of the larger Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Near the loch, you can find the Benmore Botanic Garden and the Benmore Outdoor Centre. This centre uses the loch and its surroundings for fun outdoor learning activities.
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Wildlife in Loch Eck
Loch Eck is a special place for fish. It is one of only two places in Scotland where you can find the Powan fish naturally. The other place is Loch Lomond.
Besides the Powan, the loch is home to other cool fish. You can find:
- Salmon
- Sea trout
- Brown trout
- Arctic charr
The Paper Caves Mystery
Along the west side of Loch Eck, there is a pathway. This path leads to the mysterious Paper Caves. These caves are hidden in the steep hillside. Inside, there's a platform above a deep drop.
There's an old legend about these caves. It says that important family documents were hidden here long ago. This happened when a powerful leader, the 9th Earl of Argyll, was in trouble. People wanted to keep his lands safe from being taken away. So, they supposedly hid the papers in these secret caves!
Loch Eck as a Water Source
Loch Eck is not just a natural loch; it also acts as a reservoir. This means its water is collected and stored. There's a water treatment plant nearby that cleans the water.
In 2012, Scottish Water upgraded this plant. Now, it supplies fresh, clean water to many homes in the southeast of Cowal, including the town of Dunoon.
Staying Safe at the Loch
Sometimes, tiny plants called algae can grow a lot in the loch. This is called an algal bloom. If there's too much algae, it can be harmful.
In 2013 and again in 2019, warnings were put up around the loch. These warnings told people and animals to stay away from the water. This was to keep everyone safe from the algal bloom. It's always important to check for any safety notices when visiting natural waters.
