Lochan Eck

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Lanarkshire

Scotland

Lochan Eck

A third class hill So said the Ordnance Survey in around 1860 in one of their naming books, which accompanied their first surveys of an area. The description is fair enough - Horse Law is just a tiddly bump at the Southern end of the Pentland Hills - but I can&#039;t find any information anywhere stating whether these hill classes (which I have never encountered before) follow some kind of early drop/height criteria or are purely subjective.
Current maps seem to mark this sorry little pile of stones as the remains of a cairn. However, the first map only marks the site of a cairn, which in the same naming book is (fairly unclearly) described as a track marking the position of a former circular cairn. So maybe something has been lost in translation over time, as something this small - even if there are plenty more stones under the grass -wouldn&#039;t normally get a mention on a map in any era. — A third class hill Credit: Ian Dodds

Lochan Eck is a small freshwater loch located in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is situated near the village of Strathaven and is a popular spot for fishing and wildlife watching. The loch covers an area of approximately 4 hectares and is surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills.

Lochan Eck is home to a variety of aquatic plants and wildlife, including waterfowl, fish, and insects. The loch is particularly known for its population of brown trout, which attracts anglers from near and far. The tranquil waters of Lochan Eck provide a peaceful setting for relaxation and recreation.

Visitors to Lochan Eck can enjoy fishing from the shore or from a boat, as well as birdwatching and nature walks along the surrounding trails. The loch is also a designated site of special scientific interest due to its unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

Overall, Lochan Eck is a picturesque and serene natural attraction in Lanarkshire, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the Scottish countryside.

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Lochan Eck Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.724589/-3.5081616 or Grid Reference NT0548. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A third class hill

So said the Ordnance Survey in around 1860 in one of their naming books, which accompanied their first surveys of an area. The description is fair enough - Horse Law is just a tiddly bump at the Southern end of the Pentland Hills - but I can't find any information anywhere stating whether these hill classes (which I have never encountered before) follow some kind of early drop/height criteria or are purely subjective. Current maps seem to mark this sorry little pile of stones as the remains of a cairn. However, the first map only marks the site of a cairn, which in the same naming book is (fairly unclearly) described as a track marking the position of a former circular cairn. So maybe something has been lost in translation over time, as something this small - even if there are plenty more stones under the grass -wouldn't normally get a mention on a map in any era.

Ian Dodds

Near the top of Dunsyre Hill

A view towards distant Mendick Hill with the small rocky outcrop on which Dunsyre Hill's summit cairn sits visible on the right-hand side of the photo.

Alan O'Dowd

Summit cairn on Dunsyre Hill

This small pile of stones sits on top of the remains of a prehistoric cairn. For more information see: Link

Although only 401 metres above sea level, this summit commands great views.

Alan O'Dowd

Steep descent off Dunsyre Hill

Although a small, compact hill, the southern slopes of Dunsyre Hill are steep in places with rock outcrops. The farm buildings at Easton are visible in the distance, with Mendick Hill beyond.

Alan O'Dowd

View across the southern flank of Dunsyre Hill

The low winter sun shows up the rig-and-furrow pattern of medieval to post-medieval cultivation terraces on the east and south-east side of this small, steep hill. For more information, see Link

Alan O'Dowd

Old Quarry Site

This is the Southernmost of two former quarries marked on the map on the Western approach to the small hill of Left Law. The 1859-surveyed OS map shows them as being disused even then, though a track to the site is still indicated. The old map also indicates that a lime works was once present at the quarries. This basically involved burning the limestone at a high temperature, which causes the calcium carbonate contained in the rock to release carbon dioxide and turn into calcium oxide, or lime. The lime was, and still is, used for construction and as a fertilizer, amongst numerous other things. These days the lime added to fertilizer is just ground down limestone powder, but back when this quarry was operational there were no mills capable of grinding down stone, so they just used the burnt version.

Ian Dodds

View from Left Law

It would be interesting to know from which direction this hill was named, and what it was left of - there is no Right Law to clear things up! It is more of a bump on rising land than a hill really. This is pretty much the end of the Pentlands, and it is always quite striking to see a patch of green after being immersed in so much brown for so long. It's height is 368 metres, and with a prominence of just 10 metres it doesn't qualify for any hill lists. But if it has a name and you're in the vicinity surely it must be climbed?!

Ian Dodds

Anston Farm

Seen from the track to Little Sparta. The crags of Dunsyre Hill NT0648 can be seen beyond.

Oliver Dixon

Replanting by the Anston Burn

A replanted area after tree felling - compare with NT0548 : Felled woodland taken in winter this year.

Jim Barton

Entering Dunsyre from the west

Entering this small village on the minor road from Newbigging.

Jim Barton

Summit cairn, Mid Hill

The summit is defended by pathless rough thick heather on all sides, so it is not surprising that it's possible to sit here for lunch undisturbed even on a sunny Sunday in July.

Jim Barton

Dunsyre Hill from Mid Hill

A remarkable change from heather moor to cattle grazing on grass pasture between Mid Hill and Dunsyre Hill, with Black Mount on the skyline.

Jim Barton

Anston Burn west of Mid Hill

The burn drains south into the South Medwin, a tributary of the Clyde.

Jim Barton

Cutting silage at Anston Farm

Making the most of a settled hot sunny day, viewed from the path between Boston Cottage and Little Sparta.

Jim Barton

On the track below Little Sparta

Sheep and cattle farming on the more productive land nearer the valley floor. Black Mount is in the background.

Jim Barton

Field of sheep, Anston

A farm at the south end of the Pentland Hills near Dunsyre.

Richard Webb

Overgrown dyke

The grassy ridge across the moor, a former field boundary, is still shown by the Ordnance Survey. A dyke with stone still visible runs off to the left while a still intact field boundary corner is on the right hand side of the picture. Some of the moorland here has clearance cairns and easy underfoot conditions suggesting that the land was once improved farmland which has returned to the moor.

Richard Webb