Katrine’s Folly: Naming of the Loch (Scottish Folklore)

Consider supporting me on Patreon:   / liathwolf  

Loch Katrine is beautifully scenic loch that lays in the Scottish Trossachs. East of loch Lomond. In our modern day, the loch is a popular attraction for tourists and is well beloved by Scottish fly fishers. It also holds a place of great importance for the nearby people of Glasgow being the prime water reservoir for much of the city since 1859.

But apart from that the history and the origin of the loch is a complete mystery, even the meaning of its name has led to some controversy. Some suggest that it is Pictish in origin and derives from the Celtic root Ceit meaning dark or gloomy, named for the dense forests that surround it. while others believe it to be derived from the Gaelic word ceathairne anglicised to Cateran, a word that historically in Scotland referred to a roaming bad of warriors, and became widely used to identify mercenaries and cattle thieves. Which I suppose in some ways is very fitting, considering Scotland most famous cattle thief or Catanach Rob Roy McGregor was born in Glengyle at the head of loch Katrine.

But today I am here to tell you the true story of how the loch came by its name or at least the one known and told by the locals for 100s of years.

My T-shirt link: https://liath-wolf.myspreadshop.co.uk/
Other Music by : Alexander Nakarada https://alexandernakarada.bandcamp.com/​
Intro: Written for me by Bobbin https://bobbin.bandcamp.com/​

References:
Barbour, J. G. (1886) Unique Traditions, chiefly of the West and South of Scotland. Glasgow. Thomas D. Morison.
Murray, J. and Lawrence, P. (1910) Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Forth Basin Volume II – Loch Katrine.
Scott, W. (1883) THE LADY OF THE LAKE. Edited with Notes By William J. Rolfe
Johncock, G. (2023) How Loch Katrine Got Its Name. Hidden Scotland.
Chisholm, H. (1911) "Cateran". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 512.
Wilon, W. (1908) The Trossachs In Literature And Tradition. R S Shearer & Son.
Stott, L. (2018) The Enchantment of the Trossachs: The life and mysterious death of Scottish churchman and scholar Robert Kirk and his influential treatise on fairy folklore. Loch Ard Local History Group.
Watson, W. J. (1910) The Celtic Review.Vol. 6, No. 24, Apr.