Lanark Loch
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| Lanark Loch | |
|---|---|
  Lanark Loch | |
| Location | East side of Lanark, South Lanarkshire |
| Coordinates | 55°40′07″N 3°45′02″W / 55.6687°N 3.7505°W |
| Type | Man-made lake |
| Basin countries | Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 1,440 feet (440 m) |
| Max. width | 735 feet (224 m) |
| Islands | 2 |
| Settlements | Lanark |
Lanark Loch is a man-made loch in the town of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, situated 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) south east of Lanark town centre.[1] Covering an area of 4.9 hectares (12 acres),[1] it was built in the 19th century by the architect Hugh Marr at a place where there was a small pond which had previously been used by a local curling club.[2] There is a small wooded island in the loch.[1]
The creation of Lanark Loch had been necessary because as the population of Lanark grew its water supplies which had been taken from local wells was inadequate. The site at the Muir at Whitelees, where there had been a spring-fed marsh which had been extended to form a curling pond, was seen as suitable for the creation of a reservoir. The loch, also known as Marr's Loch, increased the drinking water supply for Lanark[3] and its environs until 1881 when it was replaced as the main water supply for the town by Loch Lyoch on Tinto.[2] At this point, Lanark Loch and its surrounding area were returned to public use as an amenity.[3]