Harperrig Reservoir, artificial lake in West Lothian, Scotland, UK, on the Water of Leith
Harperrig Reservoir is a large water body in West Lothian fed by the Water of Leith, covering about 94 hectares with depths reaching over 40 feet. The earthen dam, roughly 50 feet high and nearly 500 feet long, was raised in 1890 to increase storage capacity.
The reservoir was built in 1860 to supply drinking water to Edinburgh and power local mills. Ownership transferred to the City of Edinburgh Council in 2006, and since 2007 it has served as a flood control system for the Water of Leith.
Harperrig Reservoir draws fishers and nature walkers who value quiet spaces and outdoor traditions. The site has become a gathering place for those seeking simple pleasures like fly fishing and watching wildlife along the shoreline.
The site sits south of the A70 near Balerno and has parking at its west end, making car access straightforward. Visitors can walk the shoreline year-round, though fly fishing is only permitted from March through October.
The waters hold only Brown Trout and are notoriously difficult to fish, drawing anglers seeking a real challenge rather than easy catches. This exclusive trout population makes it stand apart from other fishing spots in the area.
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