Fraoch Eilean View Traditional Cache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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The southern part of Loch Lomond is fairly shallow and is crossed by the Highland Boundary Fault line. These two factors are the main reason for the collection of islands which make the loch so interesting for waterborne explorers. There are about 30 islands on Loch Lomond, some large, some small and some which are only there when water levels are low. The best views of the islands are obviously from the highest vantage point - Ben Lomond but I guess because there is no cache there yet there’s no point going up there!
Near Luss on the western shore of the Loch lies this small, very pictureskew rocky island, a mere 150 metres long and only about 12 metres high. Wooded with birches and brambles, its’ soil very poor and thin so that the autumn colours appear here earlier than elsewhere. Fraoch Island is often given another name, 'Inchfrielechan', probably derived from ' Inch-FraochEilean', meaning 'island-heather-island'- heather island in two languages - Scots and Gaelic. Legend has it that this island was once known as 'Luss Prison' and being so near to Luss, yet so isolated and secure, it would surely have been a very convenient place to deposit the local undesirables.
The much larger island behind Fraoch Island is Inchlonaig (Yew tree Island). The dark green yew trees after which this island is named are reputed to have been re-planted by King Robert the Bruce in the 14th century after using the wood for the bows of his archers for The Battle of Bannockburn. The island itself was owned for centuries by the Colquhouns who farmed deer here.
A stone built cottage and some ruined limekilns are to be found on the south side by the bay. The cottage was once used by the last Colquhoun resident who farmed the island. A previous Colquhoun, James, and a boy, both gamekeepers were drowned whilst returning from a deer hunt on Inchlonaig in 1873. Mesolithic remains were found on the east side.
With a length of over a kilometre and a maximum height of about 60 m Inchlonaig is privately owned and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Starting from near the centre of Luss go right down past the tat shop and cross the wooden bridge over Luss Water. After nearly 100 m heading towards the open field you can turn left and follow the path through the woods along the south bank of the river. You emerge on the loch shore opposite Fraoch Eilean where you get a good view of Ben Lomond if the weather permits. The shore is covered in little flat stones; you can spend some time here perfecting your skimming technique. Continue south along the shoreline until you get to a fence (not sure if this is keeping you out of somewhere or keeping something in!) Head inshore from this point to find the cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n zbffl byq gehax
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