Talla Reservoir, artificial lake in Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK, on Talla Water
Talla Reservoir is a large man-made lake in the Scottish Borders, sitting in a valley carved by the Talla Water stream. An earthen dam holds the water back, and long underground conduits carry it north toward Edinburgh.
The reservoir was completed in the early 1900s as part of a project to supply Edinburgh with fresh water. A Victorian lodge built during construction still stands near the dam and is one of the few visible remains of that era.
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.
A footpath runs along the water's edge and offers open views of the surrounding hills. Fishing permits for brown trout are available from a shop in the nearby village of Broughton.
The water travels from the reservoir to Edinburgh through underground tunnels powered only by gravity, with no pumps involved anywhere along the route. This system has worked without major changes for over a century.
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