Loch Long

Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox body of water

Loch Long is a body of water in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The sea loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end, to the Arrochar Alps at the head of the loch. It measures approximately Template:Convert in length, with a width of between Template:Convert. The loch also has an arm, Loch Goil, on its western side.

Loch Long forms part of the coast of the Cowal Peninsula, and forms the entire western coastline of the Rosneath Peninsula.

Loch Long was historically the boundary between Argyll and Dunbartonshire; however, boundary redrawing in 1996 meant that it moved wholly within the council area of Argyll and Bute.<ref>https://boundaries.scot/sites/default/files/Local_government_Scotland_1995_onwards.pdf</ref>

Villages on Loch Long

Villages and hamlets on the loch include.

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Royal Navy

On the eastern shore of the Loch is the Royal Navy's Coulport Armament depot, with the Glen Mallan jetty, both part of Defence Munitions Glen Douglas. Part of the extensive Royal Navy's, His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Historic

In Arrochar, the Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range was established on the Loch in 1912, in connection with the Clyde Torpedo Works on Eldon Street, Greenock, established in 1910. Both sites are now closed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Finnart Oil Terminal

The Finnart Oil Terminal is located on the eastern shore of the loch, linked to the Grangemouth Refinery via a Template:Convert pipeline.<ref name="www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In September 2024, it was announced that the oil terminal is scheduled for closure.<ref>https://thelochsidepress.com/2024/09/13/finnart-oil-terminal-closure-announced/</ref>

Environment and concerns

Loch Long has a long term issue with rubbish collecting at the head of the loch. Rubbish mainly washed down water courses from the Glasgow area.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

Its name is not a reference to is length; it actually comes from the Gaelic for "ship lake". Prior to their defeat at the Battle of Largs in 1263, Viking raiders sailed up Loch Long to Arrochar, and then dragged their longships 2 miles overland to Tarbet and into Loch Lomond. Being inland, the settlements around Loch Lomond were more vulnerable to attack.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Transport

The steamboat Chancellor used to traverse the loch, departing Dunoon at 11:00 and returning about five hours later.<ref name=ColegateP53>Colegate's Guide to Dunoon, Kirn, and Hunter's Quay (second edition) – John Colegate (1868), page 53</ref> PS Waverley was also built to serve Loch Long and Loch Goil from 1947,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a route that she still sailed as of 2021,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> albeit as more of an attraction than a primary means of transport.

Gallery

• 20210815 Loch Long-8813.jpg

  20210815 Loch Long

• 'Fida' In Loch Long - geograph.org.uk - 3038572.jpg

  'Fida' In Loch Long

• Loch Long and Ardentinny.jpg

  Loch Long and Ardentinny

• Admiralty Chart No 3739 Loch Long torpedo range.jpg

  Admiralty Chart No 3739

• Loch Long At Ardentinny - geograph.org.uk - 1917619.jpg

  Loch Long At Ardentinny

External links

• Official website, HMNB Clyde
• Gaelic place names of Scotland
• Map showing Loch Long, circa 1600, National Library of Scotland
• Video footage of the old Arrochar steamer pier