Kilconquhar Loch Traditional Cache
Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it cannot be unarchived.
You can read more about that here - (click link)
Regards
Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Cache is placed for the Langspoon Event and is not to be logged before Friday 3rd April 2009.
Kilconquhar (local pronunciation is Kinneuchar) Loch is a small shallow freshwater loch, located beside the village of Kilconquhar. It is an approximate rounded square in shape and is unusual in that it has no visible inflow or outflow, yet is not stagnant. Some sources say Kilconquhar Loch is ancient, others that it has only existed for the last few centuries. One source says it drained west into Largo Bay until a storm in 1625 blocked its outflow (which is when another says the loch was formed), and that it drained south to Elie. The Ordnance Survey map suggests it drains to the east into the Inverie Burn, which in turn enters the sea next to St Monans Church. It has been theorised that an underground spring feed into the loch, maintaining a degree of freshness sufficient to offset its stagnation.
In former times it was reported to produce large pike and eels although this is now no longer verifiable as no fishing is allowed due to its Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status.
It abounds with wild duck, which are to be seen walking across the main road with their brood during the summer months with large numbers of overwintering wildfowl using it as a roost.
It was once a favourite haunt of swans, now not so plentiful, perhaps because it was a place used for ducking witches. An old rhyme concerning one of the witches of Pittenweem illustrates this point:-
“They tied her arms behind her back,
And twisted them with a pin,
And they dragged her to Kilconquhar Loch
And threw the limmer in,
And all the swans took to the hills,
Scar’d with the unhaely din.”
The loch also features in an alternative version of the origin of the name of Kilconquhar. Some suggest the name comes from the Gaelic Cill Ceaun Iuchair, meaning the church at the head of the loch.
In winter when conditions are right, the loch is used for skating and curling.
The cache is placed to provide a view of Kilconquhar Loch from the church and is a small lock and lock container.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
ba tebhaq oruvaq vil haqre oenapurf
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