Loch a' Bharain

Loch a' Bharain (the Baron's Loch) is an impounding^[1] reservoir in Scotland.

Loch a' Bharain
Loch a' Bharain
Location	North Knapdale, Scotland
Coordinates	56.0624°N 5.4972°W / 56.0624; -5.4972 grid reference NR82369116[1]
Type	Reservoir
Basin countries	Scotland, United Kingdom
Surface area	34,000 m2 (370,000 sq ft)[1]
Water volume	63,100 m3 (51.2 acre⋅ft)[1]
Surface elevation	19 m (62 ft)

Loch a' Bharain directly sits on the north bank of the Crinan Canal beside lock No.9, 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) west of Cairnbaan, and acts as a side pound to the summit reach: effectively increasing the area and therefore reducing the level changes caused by downward lockings at either end.. The earthfill^[1] dam is 5.6 metres (18 ft)^[1] high and was constructed in 1801 during the construction of the Crinan Canal. Works were completed by 1810 and after further repair and inspection by 1815 - 1820 the Crinan canal helped bring jobs and industry to the area shortening what would be a longer voyage on boat to get to Crinan and other areas on the west coast. The 9 mile canal became known as a Royal Route when Queen Victoria sailed the canal after works completed, this was part of her tour of Scotland. Loch á Bharain is one of the many many lochs (lakes) and burns (rivers) feeding the Crinan Canal. When the Crinan Canal was drained for repair and inspection in 2020 - 2021, Loch á Bharain was mostly drained, revealing old lock gates, tyres and other bits and pieces as well as the remains (floor plan) of the old castle of Clan McTavish.^[2]

The loch is regularly used by Mid Argyll Radio Sailing for model boats.

See also

• List of reservoirs and dams in the United Kingdom

References

1. "Argyll and Bute Council Reservoirs Act 1975 Public Register" Archived 2013-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
2. "The ruins of an ancient castle have been revealed for the first time in 200 years". Press and Journal. 26 May 2021.

External links

Mid Argyll Radio Sailing