The History of Loch Eck

This loch is said to have derived its name from a great calamity (airc) that happened there of old, through the freaks of "Caileach Bheir", a famous mountain nymph. The original site of the loch is said to have once been a fertile valley, and this fatal incident occurred in harvest time, when Bera and her assistant Balach were preparing dinner for the reapers. She sent Balach to the sacred well for water, but he forgot to secure a charmed cap or lid to the well. The waters gushed forth, flooding the valley and overwhelming the reapers. However, for a more likely origin of the name, see the article on place names elsewhere in this booklet.

For many years there was a small steamer on the loch - the S.S. "Fairy Queen". The remains of the pier can still be seen at the head of the loch. This service ran in the 1800s until the First World War, resuming again in 1918, but ceasing to run in 1926. Loch Eck has supplied the water for Dunoon since the summer of 1977.

The Fields of Shells

Tradition says that a battle was fought with the Norwegians in a field near the head of Loch Eck, where the invaders were beaten with great slaughter. The field is called "The Field of Shells" from the number of drinking-shells belonging to the slaughtered Norwegians said to have been found after the battle. The story in all probability has truth and alludes to an incursion made up Glen Finart by some Norwegians from Haco's fleet, when it anchored in Loch Long at the time he invaded Scotland in 1263 - an invasion that terminated with the battle of Largs.

The Knoll of Chorachasich

Near the head of Loch Eck is a little round Hill called Tom-a-Chorachasich. Tradition has it that a Prince of Norway or Denmark, having been pursued, was overtaken and slain on this mound.

Island Farm

Island Farm, between Whistlefield and the head of the Loch, is named after the islet a short distance offshore, in summer the resting place of seagulls. This isle, in the stormy days of warfare, is said to have been the hiding place for Mac Cailein's (Campbell of Argyll's) man on his way to the "Paper Cave" with the title deeds of the family estates. On this islet he lay in hiding, unobserved by the scouts who had been sent to capture him.

The Lauder Memorials

On a knoll a short distance from the Loch Eck - Strachur road, 15 miles from Dunoon, an imposing obelisk has been created by Sir Harry Lauder in memory of his son John, who lost his life in 1916 in the First World War. In the same enclosure is a memorial, in the form of a Celtic Cross, to Lady Lauder, who died in 1927. Sir Harry resided for some years at Glenbranter House (now demolished) on ground now belonging to the Forestry Commission.

The McNichol Sepulchre

On the Bernice side of Loch Eck (approached through Benmore Estate) is a small sepulchre, surrounded by a wall and stately trees, which marks the last resting place of a soldier of Wellington's Army - Lieutenant Nicol McNicol, who carried the Regimental Colours at Victoria, in Spain, in 1813, when the British troops gained a decisive victory over the French. Between then and 1815 McNicol had fought in five battles. The inscription on his monument reads: "He held the Peninsular Medal with five clasps. He died at Dunans, Glendaruel, 25th May, 1864, aged 75 years."