Top 12 Lakes around Kirknewton

The area around Kirknewton, particularly within the Pentland Hills Regional Park, features several notable reservoirs. Popular choices include Glencorse Reservoir, known for its picturesque setting, and Threipmuir Reservoir, a favorite for open water swimming. Loganlea Reservoir is also well-regarded, especially for fishing. Harperrig Reservoir, while artificial, offers a remote, loch-like feel and is significant for its wildlife and fishing opportunities.

The lakes and reservoirs offer a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy fly fishing at Harperrig Reservoir and Loganlea Reservoir. Wild swimming and paddleboarding are popular at Harperrig and Threipmuir Reservoir. The surrounding areas provide excellent opportunities for hiking and cycling, with trails connecting many of the reservoirs. For more detailed hiking routes, you can explore the Hiking around Kirknewton guide.

Harperrig Reservoir is renowned as the only brown trout fishery in the Lothians, operating from mid-March to mid-October for fly fishing. Both boat and bank fishing are permitted. Loganlea Reservoir is also a popular spot for fly fishing trout from either the bank or a boat. Glencorse Reservoir also offers fishing opportunities, often with boat rentals available.

Threipmuir Reservoir is a local favorite for open water swimming, featuring a small beach for access. Harperrig Reservoir is also popular for wild swimming. For more information on wild swimming in West Lothian, you can check resources like this article from Visit West Lothian.

Yes, the Pentland Hills Regional Park, where many of these reservoirs are located, offers extensive hiking and walking opportunities. You'll find gravel paths suitable for walking and cycling around reservoirs like Threipmuir Reservoir and Harlaw Reservoir. Trails near Harperrig Reservoir lead to East Cairn Hill and the ruins of Cairns Castle. For a comprehensive list of routes, refer to the Hiking around Kirknewton guide.

Yes, cycling is a popular activity around the reservoirs. Torduff Reservoir and Clubbiedean Reservoir, for instance, are part of an area with good bike routes that offer beautiful views of the Pentland Hills. Harlaw Reservoir also has gravel tracks suitable for cycling. You can find more cycling routes in the Cycling around Kirknewton guide.

Many of the reservoirs are considered family-friendly. Glencorse Reservoir, Torduff Reservoir, Threipmuir Reservoir, Loganlea Reservoir, and Harlaw Reservoir are all categorized as such. They offer easy paths for walks and opportunities for picnics and wildlife spotting, making them suitable for visitors of all ages.

The reservoirs are rich in wildlife. Harperrig Reservoir is a significant habitat for Eurasian otters, and its Gull Island is a safe breeding ground for gulls and wildfowl. Various geese and ducks use it for wintering. The area is also home to diverse birdlife and insects, including the stonefly *Leuctra leuctra*.

In Scotland, most large natural bodies of water are traditionally called 'lochs'. However, many of the significant bodies of water near Kirknewton, such as Harperrig, Glencorse, and Threipmuir, are artificial reservoirs created for water supply or flood prevention. While they may have a remote, loch-like feel, they are often referred to as 'reservoirs' or 'lakes' due to their man-made origin.

Yes, the area has some historical significance. Glencorse Reservoir, for example, was built in the 1820s to supply water to mills and Edinburgh. Near Harperrig Reservoir, you can find the 15th-century ruins of Cairns Castle, which projects into the reservoir and can be reached via hiking trails.

Visitors frequently praise the picturesque settings and the peaceful escape into nature offered by these reservoirs. The komoot community highlights the easy gravel paths for walking and cycling, the opportunities for open water swimming, and the stunning views of the surrounding Pentland Hills. The variety of outdoor activities, from fishing to wildlife observation, also contributes to their appeal.

Yes, for Harperrig Reservoir, there is a small car park available for visitors. For other reservoirs within the Pentland Hills Regional Park, parking facilities are generally available at key access points, though it's always advisable to check specific locations beforehand, especially during peak seasons.