Vennachar, Loch, a lake on the mutual border of Callander, Aberfoyle, and Port of Monteith parishes, Perthshire. Formed by expansion of the southern head-stream of the Teith, and lying 270 feet above sea-level, it extends 3¾ miles east-by-northward to within 2 ¼ miles of the town of Callander; and has a maximum breadth of 5 ¼ furlongs. The picturesque valley in which it lies has been rendered- famous as the main scene of Scott's Lady of the Lake; and it takes its name, signifying ` the lake of the fair valley,' from the loveliness of its environments, having a beautiful sinuous cincture, charmingly wooded shores, and finely graduated flanks, overlooked in the distance by grandly imposing mountains. Its upper reaches are very fine; but the lower are somewhat tame, and are by no means improved by some storage embankments connected with the Glasgow waterworks. (See Coilantogle.) A wooded bank on the N shore bears the name of Coillebhroine (` wood of lamentation '), from a legend of a malignant water-kelpie; and on the S shore stands the mansion of Invertrossachs, which was occupied by the Queen in 1869. Its waters contain some salmon, 38,1871- trout, perch, and large pike.—Ord. Sur., sh.
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