Loch Earn

Loch Earn ( Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eire or Eireann hole ) is a freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. It is located about 17 kilometers west of Crieff on the border of the Unitary Authority's Perth and Kinross and Stirling on the edge of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Loch Earn is the typical elongated shape of a lake during the Ice Age glacial origin. He is about 10.5 km long, but only a maximum of 1.2 km wide. The greatest depth of the lake is 87 m. Loch Earn is the source of the River Earn, which flows south-west of Perth over the Firth of Tay in the North Sea. On the banks of Loch Earn are three villages: At the western end of the lake is Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Ardtrostan in the east. Almost exactly in the middle of the elongated southern bank is Ardvorlich House, a mansion from the 18th century. Also on the south shore, but much further west, you come across the Edinample Castle, a multi- rebuilt castle from the late 16th century. The north shore of the lake is accessible by the A85 well developed, whereas the south shore is only accessible via a single lane road with passing places.

On Loch Earn occur tidal similar fluctuations in the water level. This phenomenon, which can increase slightly at each end of the lake the water level in a 16-hour rhythm, has nothing to do with the damage caused by the moon tides of the seas, but is caused by the almost constantly blowing wind. The variations of the water level are also substantially smaller than for example in the North Sea. A similar phenomenon can be observed in Europe near Lake Garda and Lake Geneva.

Especially Lochearnhead and Ardtrostan are centers for water sports, where many water sports are available from canoeing to water skiing. Loch Earn is also a popular destination for anglers, especially in the lake and rainbow trout can be caught.