Loch Fyne

Loch Fyne (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Fìnn, pronounced [ɫ̪ɔx fiːnə], meaning Loch of the Vine or Wine, although there is no evidence for grapes growing there - it was more metaphorical, such as meaning that the River, 'Abhainn Fìnn', was a well respected river) is a sea loch on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It extends 65 kilometres (40 miles) inland from the Sound of Bute, making it the longest of the sea lochs. It is connected to the Sound of Jura by the Crinan Canal.

Loch Fyne is notable for its oyster fishery, and as a consequence the loch has given its name to the locally owned Loch Fyne Oysters, and the associated Loch Fyne Restaurants. It is also notable for its herring fishing industry, originally using the drift-net method. In the mid 1800s, Loch Fyne was the epicentre of the battle betwixt the traditional drift-net fishermen and the new trawl-net fishermen who sprung up around Tarbert and Campbelltown in 1833.^[1]

Loch Fyne is a popular area for sport diving and fishing. It is also a popular tourist destination with attractions such as Inveraray Castle and the nearby ruins of Castle MacEwan and Castle Lachlan.

The village of Portavadie is on the east shore of the loch. A passenger ferry traverses the loch from the quay here.

Dolphins, seals and otters inhabit the loch, and basking sharks can be found in its waters during the summer months. A Ross's Gull was present at the loch in early 2007.

Over half a million troops were trained in amphibious landing techniques on the shores of Loch Fyne prior to the D-day landings.

In the north it is mountainous with the Arrochar Alps, Beinn Bhuidhe, Glen Shira, Glen Fyne, Glen Croe, Arrochar, Tyndrum and Loch Lomond nearby.

Gallery

Inveraray Bridge on Loch Fyne. The spires of Inveraray Castle can just be seen on the left.

Loch Fyne at Inverary harbour.

A view towards the north-eastern tip of the loch from St Catherines.

The view down Loch Fyne, from Inveraray. The Fairy Hill can be seen in the distance to the right.

See also

• Ardkinglas Railway

References

External links

• Lochfyne.info - Official Loch Fyne web site with places to visit on the shores of Loch Fyne.
• Photo overlooking the Castle MacEwan ruins and Loch Fyne
• The Loch from the south side of the Castle

Coordinates: 56°03′57.25″N 5°17′03.93″W / 56.0659028°N 5.284425°W / 56.0659028; -5.284425