The dam, as it’s known locally.

Always a nice walk around the Gartmorn Dam reservoir. Bit muddy though on the North side, as aye! We kept our feet dry but our shoes needed a good clean. Afternoon finished off nicely with a Dam Good Coffee from the Coffee Shop at the carpark.

There’s quite some industrial past to this beautiful place. A dam was initially built in the early 1700s and the land flooded to make a reservoir, the water used in the early coal mining industry. At this time it was the largest artificial body of water in Scotland. Later it was used in simple glass manufacture and in the 1800s provided power through water races/waterwheel technology for industries such tobacco, snuff, corn grinding, textiles, spinning, and brewing and distilling. The reservoir was enlarged in 1891 and next 100 years was part of water supply too.

Nowadays it’s main use is recreational and it’s a great place for bird life.