Loch Thom

The Loch is named after the civil engineer Robert Thom who designed the scheme which created the reservoir and delivered water via a long aqueduct known as The Cut. Today, as well as providing a water supply, the loch is used for sport fishing and forms part of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park with several attractive walks and a centre at Cornalees Bridge providing nature study facilities.

As part of its original design, The Cut provided a water flow to a series of falls running through water wheels. This enabled the powering of various industrial processes, including a papermill, woollen and cotton mills, ropeworks, several sugar refineries, an iron foundry and shipbuilding works including production of steam engines and boilers.

'Walking The Cut' continues to be a popular route, with a nearly level footpath formed on the embankment to the downhill side of the aqueduct.