Loch Tay - Perthshire

A truly picturesque loch, Loch Tay is 15 miles in length with an average width of about 0.9 miles. The shores of Loch Tay were at one time the home to many small farming communities but these were largely destroyed in the times of the 'Highland Clearances'. Many remains of these small communities can still be seen on the lochsides and on the hills above the loch, and noteably in the remains of the old village of Lawers on the shore south of the modern Lawers village, and hillside shielings used by the farming communities during the summer.

Signs of earlier communities may also be observed in the shape of ancient stone circles, standing stones and carver 'ring and cup' markings on the rocks, noteably on the northern shores.

There were a number of Crannogs in the loch (dwellings on stilts or atrificial islands.) Remains of one of these may be seen near the old Killin Pier, and more spectacularly, one has been re-created and is open to the public at Acharn close to Kenmore(The Scottish Crannog Centre).

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Loch Tay Boat Song

Download Loch Tay Boat Song.

Loch Tay Boat Song

Loch Tay Boat Song

When I've done my work of day,
And I row my boat away,
Doon the waters of Loch Tay,
As the evening light is fading
And I look upon Ben Lawers
Where the after glory glows;
And I think on two bright eyes
And the melting mouth below.

She's my beauteous nighean ruadh,
She's my joy and sorrow too;
And although she is untrue,
Well I cannot live without her,
For my heart's a boat in tow,
And I'd give the world to know
Why she means to let me go,
As I sing horee horo.

Nighean ruadh, your lovely hair
Has more glamour I declare
Than all the tresses rare
'tween Killin and Aberfeldy.
Be they lint white, brown or gold,
Be they blacker than the sloe,
They are worth no more to me
Than the melting flake of snow.

Her eyes are like the gleam
O' the sunlight on the stream;
And the songs the fairies sing
Seem like songs she sings at milking.
But my heart is full of woe,
For last night she bade me go
And the tears begin to flow,
As I sing horee, horo.

She's my beauteous nighean ruadh,
She's my joy and sorrow too
And although she is untrue,
Well I cannot live without her.
For my heart's a boat in tow
And I'd give the world to know,
Why she means to let me go
As I sing horee horo.

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