Loch Goil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Goil |
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View up Loch Goil past Carrick Castle
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 Loch Goil
Location in Argyll and Bute
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| Location | Cowal, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom. |
| Coordinates | 56°07′55″N 4°53′32″W / 56.131974°N 4.8922978°W, |
| Type | Sea Loch |
| Native name | Loch Goil Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Basin countries | Scotland, United Kingdom. |
| Surface elevation | Sea Level |
| Frozen | No |
Loch Goil (which means "Loch of the Goil" in Scottish Gaelic) is a beautiful and narrow arm of the sea, often called a sea loch. It is located in Scotland, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute. This entire sea loch is part of the amazing Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Loch Goil is connected to a larger body of water called Loch Long. At the very top, or "head," of Loch Goil, you'll find the charming village of Lochgoilhead. Even though it feels remote, the village is only about an hour's drive from the Erskine Bridge, Glasgow Airport, and the M8 highway near Glasgow. To reach Lochgoilhead, you travel about 6 miles (9.7 km) on a single-track road from the famous Rest & Be Thankful pass.
Natural Beauty and History
Loch Goil is surrounded by stunning hills and mountains, giving it a truly wild and grand Highland feel. The famous Arrochar Alps stand tall nearby, and the landscape is covered with many conifer trees.
On the western shore of Loch Goil, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Lochgoilhead, you can see the historic Carrick Castle. This old castle adds to the scenic beauty of the area.
Special Protection
Loch Goil is not just a pretty place; it's also very important for nature. In 2014, it was officially named a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA). This means the area is specially protected to help keep its marine life and habitats safe and healthy.
The loch is also used for training exercises by large Trident submarines from HMNB Clyde at Faslane. These exercises help the submarines practice their movements in a real-world environment.
Fishing Records
Loch Goil is a popular spot for fishing, and some impressive catches have been made here. Several Scottish Sea Fishing shore records, which means the biggest fish caught from the shore, have been set in the loch.
Here are some of the record-breaking fish caught in Loch Goil:
| Species | Weight | Angler / Year |
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| Gurnard, Streaked | 1 pound 6 ounces | H. L. Smith, 1971 |
| Haddock | 6 pounds 12 ounces | G. Stevenson, 1976 |
| Pipefish, Greater | 1 ounce 13 drams | J.C. Ogilvie, 1992 |
| Wrasse, Goldsinny | 1 ounce 13 drams | T. Lambert, 1977 |
