Black Loch

The Black Loch is a small freshwater loch in the Falkirk council area of Scotland. It lies near the village of Limerigg and close to the boundary with North Lanarkshire. The surface area was enlarged in the early 1790s to supply water to the Monkland Canal. A canal was cut on the western side to bring run-off from the moss into the loch. A dam was built to hold more water for the canal system. The loch is an important source of water for the Monkland Canal and, further downstream, the Forth and Clyde Canal at Glasgow. It also feeds the North Calder Water. Today the loch is used for fly fishing, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. Its waters support a variety of activities for visitors and locals alike. Visitors find a quiet stretch of water surrounded by moorland and farmland. The loch’s edges are lined with rushes and reeds that shelter waterfowl. Anglers cast their lines for trout and other fish. Paddlers glide across the surface, while swimmers take advantage of the open water. The scene is peaceful, with only the sounds of nature and the occasional call of a bird.