Loch Ard
Loch Ard (Scottish Gaelic: Loch na h-Àirde) is a body of fresh water in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park of the Stirling District in Scotland. (grid reference NN4501.)
Overview
The name of the loch comes from àird, the Scottish Gaelic word for a promentory, headland, height, ultimately from àrd meaning high. The loch is approximately 4 kilometres long by 2 kilometres wide and runs approximately east-west along a sheltered glen. It is considered to be the source of the River Forth and lies downstream of Loch Chon. The loch contains several small islands including Eilean Gorm, Briedach, St. Mallo, which is rumored to have an old chapel dedicated to that saint, and Dundochill, which is the site of Duke Murdoch's castle that may have been built by the Duke of Albany. Though one of Scotland's smaller lochs, it is one of the most picturesque and its sheltered location means it is ideal for kayaking and other water sports.
Location
The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park encompasses Loch Ard and the surrounding forest. The waters of Loch Ard are home to both a sailing and rowing club. The villages of Kinlochard, and Milton lie on its shores. The village of Aberfoyle lies 3 kilometres to its east while the mountain of Ben Lomond sits to its west.
Loch Ard (disambiguation)
Loch Ard is a lake in Scotland.
Loch Ard may also refer to:
Loch Ard (ship)
The Loch Ard was a sailing vessel which was wrecked at Mutton bird Island just off the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria, Australia in 1878. The name was drawn from Loch Ard, a lake which lies to the west of the village of Aberfoyle, and to the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic.
The Loch Ard belonged to the Loch Line, a major shipping line operating between Great Britain and Australia. It was a three-masted ship, of 263' in length, with a tonnage of 1693 tonnes, and was constructed by Barclay, Curdle & Co. of Glasgow.
Final voyage and wreck
The Loch Ard departed England on 1 March 1878, bound for Melbourne, commanded by Captain Gibb and with a crew of 17 men. It was carrying 37 passengers and assorted cargo. On 1 June, the ship was approaching Melbourne and expecting to sight land when it encountered heavy fog. Unable to see the Cape Otway lighthouse, the captain was unaware how close he was running to the coast. The fog lifted around 4am, revealing breakers and cliff faces. Captain Gibb quickly ordered sail to be set to come about and get clear of the coast, but they were unable to do so in time, and ran aground on a reef. The masts and rigging came crashing down, killing some people on deck and preventing the lifeboats from being launched effectively. The ship sank within 10 or 15 minutes of striking the reef.
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