Loch Doon

Loch Doon is a freshwater loch in Carrick, East Ayrshire. It sits in a glacial valley surrounded by steep hills and receives water from Gala Lane and Loch Enoch. The River Doon flows from its northern end, carrying water toward the sea. The loch is relatively oligotrophic, meaning its waters are low in nutrients. In the 13th century, a castle stood on an island in the loch, owned first by the Earls of Carrick and later by local nobles. The loch’s history includes military use during the Scottish Wars of Independence and later conflicts. In the First World War, it became an aerial gunnery training site with airfield buildings and slipways still visible along the shore. A Spitfire crashed into the loch in 1941 during a training flight, and its wreckage was recovered decades later. The recovered Merlin engine and parts of the aircraft are now displayed in a museum. Visitors find a quiet upland loch with clear water and forested shores. The remains of the First World War airfield and the Spitfire wreckage site lie along its edges. A memorial to the Czech pilot František Hekl stands on the shore, marking the place where his aircraft sank. The loch’s dam and hydro-electric system are visible reminders of its modern role. Walkers and divers explore its shores and shallows, drawn by both history and scenery.