Loch Tay (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Tatha) is a freshwater loch which lies in the valley between the villages of Killin and Kenmore, stretching over 15 miles in length and 1 mile wide. Loch Tay is a long and narrow loch with steep sides, which follows the line of the valley from the south west to north east. It is the sixth largest loch in Scotland by area and over 150 metres (490 ft) deep at its deepest.
Ben Lawers on its north shore is at 1214 m the 10th highest mountain in the British Isles, and is the highest peak in a group of seven munros.
Killin at the head of the loch, and Kenmore at the outflow of the River Tay, are the main settlements on the lochside today. The smaller settlements of Acharn, Ardeonaig and Ardtalnaig are located on the south side of the loch whilst Fearnan and Lawers are on the north side.
The loch, and many of its surroundings, feature in the traditional Scottish '
Loch Tay Boat Song' (Scottish Gaelic, Iorram Loch Tatha).
In ancient times (in the Iron Age) people lived on defensible, man-made islands on the loch, called Crannogs. More than 20 submerged crannogs have been identified in the loch. An example has now been reconstructed on the south side of the loch at the
Scottish Crannog Centre.
The rivers Lochay and Dochart run into the head of Loch Tay in the west, while the River Tay itself flows out of the loch in the east. Loch Tay acts like a giant reservoir for the River Tay, rumour has it that a strong west wind blowing down the loch can send an extra foot of water down the river.
Fishing Loch Tay
Trolling using Rapala plugs, Kynoch Killers, spoons and minnows is the most effective method for salmon fishing the loch. There is a shelf which runs nearly all the way round the loch, approximately 30m out the shelf plunges steeply into deep water, trolling boats are advised to follow this line. There are over 20 Crannogs submerged in Loch Tay, make sure you know where they are or they will damage your boat.
Salmon fishing in the loch has been practiced for many years, at the end of the nineteenth century it wasn't uncommon for 300/400 large salmon to be caught on rod and line during the first four months of the season. Today this is unheard of but the loch still produces a few monsters between 20/30lb each year. In addition to salmon there are substantial numbers of trout, charr, pike and roach. The low shores at Killin are renowned for Pike and Roach.
The trout session runs from 15 March - 6th October and the salmon session runs from 15th January - 15th October (excluding Sundays).
Permit Details:
West/Central Beat: Killin & Breadalbane Angling Club operates the trout and coarse fishing from mouth of the Lawers Burn to Killin on the North side and Lochay/Dochart to Allt Mherin Burn on the South side. Permits are charged at £5.00 per day, available from News First, Killin, telephone 01567 820362
Central/East Beat: East Loch Tay Angling Club operates the trout and coarse fishing from Fearnan to Kenmore on the North side and Achianich Burn to Kenmore on the South side, including challenging fly fishing along the wooded shoreline. Permits are charged at £5.00 per day, available from Kenmore Post Office & Shop, telephone 01887 830200
Salmon fishing permits are issued by riparian owners. Permits are available to purchase from:
Loch Tay Highland Lodges, Milton of Morenish, Killin, telephone 01567 820323
Ardeonaig Hotel, Killin, telephone 01567 820400
Loch Tay Lodges, Acharn, telephone 01887 830209
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