| Lochinvar | |
|---|---|
 the north-west shore of Lochinvar | |
  Lochinvar | |
| Location | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Coordinates | 55°08′34″N4°06′21″W / 55.14278°N 4.10583°W /55.14278; -4.10583 |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Lochinvar Burn intoWater of Ken |
| Surface area | 39.3 ha (97 acres)[1] |
| Shore length1 | 3.8 km (2.4 mi)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 226 m (741 ft)[1] |
| References | [1] |
| 1 Shore length isnot a well-defined measure. | |
Lochinvar (or Lan Var) is aloch in thecivil parish of Dalry in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire,Dumfries and Galloway Scotland. It is located in theGalloway Hills, around 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-east ofSt. John's Town of Dalry. The loch formerly had an island on which stood Lochinvar Castle, seat of the Gordon family. In the 20th century the loch was dammed to form a reservoir, raising the water level and submerging the island with the ruins of the castle. The loch is used fortrout fishing.[2]
The name Lochinvar is fromScots GaelicLoch a' bharra (older GaelicLoch an bharra, the genitive ofbarr = summit) meaning "Loch on the hilltop". Consequently, it is stressed on the last syllable (unlikeLochinver).
The Gordon family arrived at Lochinvar from Berwickshire in 1297. They established a castle, but the date of the ruins on the former island is not known.[3]
John Gordon of Lochinvar was a supporter ofMary, Queen of Scots. His son, SirRobert Gordon of Lochinvar (c.1565–1628) was one of the first to embark in the scheme for the establishment of colonies in North America. He obtained a charter of what was called the barony of Galloway inNova Scotia on 8 November 1621. In 1625 he published a tract on the subject entitledEncouragements for such as shall have intention to bee Vndertakers in the new plantation...By mee Lochinvar...Edinburgh, 1625.[4][5] Lochinvar was created abaronet in 1626.[6] On 12 July 1626 he was appointed a member of the council of war for Scotland and a Commissioner for the Middle Shires, residing at Greenlaw,Crossmichael Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. His second son, Robert Gordon of Gelston, joined with his father in the plantation of America in the grant of the barony of Galloway inNova Scotia in 1621.[7] His eldest son, Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar, 2nd baronet, was a supporter ofCharles I and a notable Protestant. He was createdViscount of Kenmure by Charles at his Scottish coronation in 1633.
"Young Lochinvar" is a ballad byWalter Scott, which is sung by Lady Heron in the fifth canto of Scott's epic poemMarmion (1808). Although the tale is associated with the historical Sir William Gordon of Lochinvar, 15th-century laird of Lochinvar, there is no evidence for the events described in the poem.[8]
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