THE FRESH-WATER LOCHS OF SCOTLAND. 
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equalled tlie 21,000 lbs. of 1888, the nearest approach being in 1893, 
when 23,100 trout, weighing 19,500 lbs., were caught. Last year (1900) 
the trout taken by the rod numbered 23,811, weighing 15,584 lbs., an 
average of 0’654 lb. 
Perch are also abundant, and pike are not uncommon. Formerly 
charr were frequently taken, but they appear to have become scarce in 
recent years. The American weed {JElodea canadensis) appears to have 
become firmly established in certain parts of the loch, and is causing a 
great deal of trouble, all the means hitherto tried for the purpose of 
destroying it being only of temporary benefit. 
FIG. 12. LOCH LEVEN AND CASTLE. 
( Photogrci'ph by J. Valentine.) 
On St. Serf’s island (which is about 80 acres in extent) are the 
remains of a Priory dedicated to St. Serf, said to have been founded by 
a Pictish king, and given to the jCuldees. The castle (on Castle island, 
which has an area of about 5 acres) is said to have been founded by 
Congal, son of Dongart, king of the Piets. It is famous in history as 
the prison in which the unfortunate Queen Mary was incarcerated for 
eleven months, and from which she effected her romantic escape. 
Considering the aiea covered by the waters of Loch Leven, it is an 
extremely shallow loch. When measured by the Ordnance Survey 
officers in August, 1893, its surface was found to be 349' 6 feet above the 
level of the sea. In form it is somewhat pear-shaped, the greatest 
length being 3| miles from south-east to north-west, and the greatest 
width is about 2| miles. The mean width is nearly IJ miles, being 40 
per cent, of the length. Its waters cover an area of nearly 3400 acres 
