Talla Reservoir, artificial lake in Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK, on Talla Water
Talla Reservoir is a large body of water in the Scottish Borders, located roughly a mile southeast of Tweedsmuir. An earthen dam holds back the water, which is supplied to Edinburgh and fed by the nearby Talla Water stream.
The reservoir was built in the early 1900s to supply water to Edinburgh. This engineering project was considered a major achievement of its era, leaving behind brick structures including the Victorian Lodge, which served as a temporary office during construction.
The name comes from the Talla Water stream that feeds the reservoir. Today it draws visitors seeking quiet outdoor time, whether fishing for trout or walking the gentle paths that ring the water.
Easy walking paths suitable for families run along the water, featuring small viewpoints and an old bridge. Fishing permits for brown trout can be obtained at a local shop in the nearby village of Broughton.
Water leaves the reservoir through hidden underground tunnels and aqueducts that rely solely on gravity to transport it about 30 miles across the countryside without pumps. This clever Victorian engineering solution remains invisible to visitors but shows the ingenuity that went into the project.
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