OS1/9/16/82
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GARE LOCH | Gair Loch or Gare Loch Gare Loch Gare Loch Gare Loch |
Fullarton's Gazetteer County Map Irving's History New Stat [Statistical] Account |
016 | "A very beautiful branch of the frith of Clyde extending between the parishes of Roseneath and Row in Dumbartonshire. The frith coming down from the east and expanding its waters to the breadth of 3¾ or 4 miles, is cloven, 2 miles below the longitude of Greenock by the peninsula of Roseneath and sends away the Gare Loch north westward over a distance of 7½ miles. The Loch commences between the richly wooded castle point of Roseneath on the South, and the smiling village of Helensburgh stretching along the beach of Row parish on the North and is there 1¾ mile broad. A mile up it is overlooked, on its south side, by the tower of Roseneath castle peering out from an expanse of forest; on its north east side, nearly opposite, but a little higher, it is beautified by the turrets and plantations of Ardincaple. Here, having been gradually narrowed to less than ¾ of a mile it suddenly expands to a breadth of more than 1¼ mile. Three fourths of a mile onward, it is indented on the north side over nearly half its breadth by a point, or, in Gaelic, a Rhue, which gives name to the parish along its shore. Here, 100 yards or so respectively from its beach, stand on the one side the church of Roseneath, and on the other the church of Row. Near the Row or indenting point a long established ferry maintains easy and frequent communication across the loch; and hither during summer, the steamers five or six in number, which ply between Glasgow, Helensburgh, the Row, and Garelochhead career their way. At the head of the loch a neat smiling village has now assumed the place of a few wretched Highland Cabins which formerly stood here, and an excellent inn offers its accommodations to the stranger visitant. The water of Gareloch is generally clear, varies in depth along the centre from 10 to 30 fathoms, and is little affected in its saltness by the influx of rills, or the mixation of the waters of the Clyde. The current of the tide is strong, running from 3 to 4 miles in the hour, and owing to the projection of Row point, and of some minor horns or headlands, is varioius in its direction." (Fullarton's Gazetteer) |
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[Page] 82Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator
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