Loch Melfort

A historical perspective, drawn from the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and originally published in parts by Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885.

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Melfort, a sea-loch of Kilninver and Kilmelfort parish, Argyllshire, opening between Points Degnish and Ashnish, opposite the middle of Luing island. With a width of 1½ mile at the entrance, it penetrates the land 3¼ miles east-north-eastward; is sprinkled with islets; and takes its name from Gaelic words signifying ` the lake of the strong eminence, ' and alluding to the hillranges that flank its shores. It is fed by streams flowing from fresh-water lakes at distances of from 2 or 3 to 7 miles; has on its N side, at a secluded spot amid thick environments of wood, a cave, traditionally said to have been inhabited for a time by the first settlers in Lorn; is overlooked, at the head, by Melfort House; and gives the titles of Viscount and Earl in the peerage of Scotland, and that of Duke in the peerage of France, to the Earl of Perth.

An accompanying 19th C. Ordnance Survey map is available, or use the map tab to the right of this page.

Note: This text has been made available using a process of scanning and optical character recognition. Despite manual checking, some typographical errors may remain. Please remember this description dates from the 1880s; names may have changed, administrative divisions will certainly be different and there are known to be occasional errors of fact in the original text, which we have not corrected because we wish to maintain its integrity. This information is provided subject to our standard disclaimer