The Lake of Menteith, or, until the last century, the Loch of Menteith, is the only natural or large body of water in Scotland that is referred to as a lake (although there are two small artificial bodies of water known as lakes). All other major bodies of water in Scotland are known as lochs. This unusual name is believed to be a corruption of the Scots Laich o Menteith, where "laich" simply means "low place". The lake is located on the Flanders Moss, the flood plain of the upper reaches of the rivers Forth and Teith, upstream of Stirling. Scotland (Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a country and constituent nation of the United Kingdom. ... A lake is a body of water surrounded by land. ... A lake is a body of water surrounded by land. ... View across Loch Lomond, towards Ben Lomond. ... Scots (or Lallans, meaning Lowlands), often Lowland Scots to distinguish it from the Gaelic of the Highlands, is a language used in Scotland, as well as parts of Northern Ireland and border areas of the Republic of Ireland, where it is known in official circles as Ulster Scots or Ullans... The River Forth meanders over fertile farmlands near Stirling The River Forth, 47 km (29 miles) long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland. ... Stirling (Sruighlea in Gaelic) is a city in central Scotland, in the district of Stirling. ...

The are a number of small islands in the lake. On the largest is Inchmahome Priory, an ancient abbey. The priory served as refuge to Mary Queen of Scots in 1547. She was only four years old at the time and stayed for three weeks after the disastrous battle of Pinkie Cleugh in September of that year. Mary I of Scotland; known as Mary, Queen of Scots Mary I of Scotland (Mary Stuart or Stewart) (December 8, 1542 – February 8, 1587), better known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was the ruler of Scotland from December 14, 1542 – July 24, 1567. ... Events January 16 - Grand Duke Ivan IV of Muscovy becomes the first Tsar of Russia. ... The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, along the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh on 10 September 1547, was the last battle to be fought between the Scottish and the English Royal armies and the first modern battle to be fought in the British Isles. ...

The lake is not particularly deep and can freeze over completely in exceptionally cold winters. If the ice becomes thick enough (10 inches) an outdoor curling tournament called the Bonspiel is held on the lake. The event can attract thousands of curlers despite its rarity. The last Bonspiel was held in 1979. Curling is a game played on ice with granite stones Curling is a precision sport similar to bowls or bocce, but played on ice with polished heavy stones rather than plastic balls. ...

External link

• Inchmahome Priory on The Lake of Menteith