Loch Tarsan, reservoir in Glen Tarsan, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, outflows south to Glentarsan Burn
Loch Tarsan is a reservoir with three arms on the Cowal Peninsula in Scotland, located about 13 kilometers northwest of Dunoon. The water is held back by two large dams and surrounded by rolling hills with forests and open grassy areas typical of the Scottish Highlands.
The reservoir was created in 1951 when workers flooded part of Glen Tarsan valley, with water also extending into Glen Lean. The main dam was completed in 1953 and stands about 17.6 meters high, forming part of the Cowal Hydro-Electric Power Scheme.
The name comes from Gaelic origins tied to the surrounding valleys of Glen Tarsan and Glen Lean. Today, this place represents how communities adapted their landscape to meet practical needs while maintaining a connection to the natural environment.
A forestry road runs near the shore with views over the water and places to stop and rest, such as picnic areas. The shoreline is uneven with rocks and soft ground, so appropriate footwear and careful walking are recommended.
When water levels are unusually low, a complete circuit walk around the shoreline becomes possible, covering about 8 miles and revealing normally submerged areas. This rare condition uncovers old structures and remnants of buildings that stood before the valley was flooded.
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