Overview of Strathclyde Loch

Located within Strathclyde Country Park, the Strathclyde Loch is the home of the Strathclyde Park Water-Sports Centre, an internationally renowned water-sports venue that has held rowing events as part of the 1986 Commonwealth Games and the 1996 World Rowing Championships. Covering an area of 200 acres (81 ha) the loch is used for rowing, jet skiing, canoeing, wind-surfing, dingy sailing and water skiing. Training courses for many of these activities are run through either the Scottish Qualifications Authority or the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.

This loch was artificially created in the 1970s, flooding the area of Bothwellhaugh, including the former mining village of the same name. Approximately 1¼ miles (2 km) of the River Clyde was straightened to run immediately to the west of the loch next to the new M74 motorway.