Historical and Contemporary Sightings of Frozen Lochs in Scotland

It has been mentioned in a TV documentary that Scotland's lochs used to freeze over in winter. This is indeed accurate, especially during the

The Little Ice Age (14th to 19th Century)

During the Little Ice Age, which lasted from the 14th century to the mid-19th century, colder temperatures were the norm. Historical records show that many lochs and rivers would freeze during particularly harsh winters. The Little Ice Age brought about a colder global climate, resulting in many bodies of water freezing over more frequently than they do currently.

Modern Day: The Impact of Climate Change

However, in recent decades, milder winters due to climate change have made such occurrences much rarer. Nowadays, it is uncommon for Scottish lochs to freeze over, although it can still happen in extremely cold winters. Historical documentation, including accounts of people skating and fishing on the ice, provides evidence of these past events.

Similarities with Other Regions

Similar freezing phenomena have occurred in other regions. For example, historical records show that the River Thames in London experienced frost fairs starting in the 7th century until the 19th century. This suggests that the freezing of bodies of water, including lochs, is not unique to Scotland. In contemporary times, lakes in parts of Norway still freeze over, although the frequency is decreasing due to rising temperatures.

Personal Accounts: Familiar with Frozen Seas

I chose to live in Thanet, which benefits from some of England's sunniest and warmest weather. However, even here, the sea has frozen over. An example includes the Second World War and in 1963 when my school was frozen in, and we had to be rescued by the USAF. This raises the question: why would a Scottish loch, much further north and on the coast, not also freeze?

Historical Painting and Skating Traditions

During my childhood in the 1960s and early 1980s, there were still periods of cold enough winters to freeze lochs. A farmer in our vicinity would flood a low-lying field, which we would then use for skating. This tradition is reflected in the famous painting "The Skating Minister," believed to have been created by Henry Raeburn in the 1790s and currently hanging in the National Gallery of Scotland.

Curling tournaments known as bonspiels were also held when the lochs froze hard enough to support large crowds. The last bonspiel was held in 2010. A BBC archive from 1979 features the Lake of Menteith, the only loch called a "lake" in Scotland, with 2500 people on the ice. My mother, who used to curl herself, attended the event to watch the fun.