Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig

or Lake of Menteith as it is more commonly known, from the foot of Cock Hill by Callander.

Until the early 19th century, the more usual Scottish name of Loch of Menteith was used. It is the only natural body of water in Scotland that is referred to as a lake. This is believed to be due to a misstranslation by a 16th C. Dutch cartographer of the Lowland Scots Laich o Menteith, laich meaning 'low place'.

There are a number of small islands in the loch, the largest being Inchmahome on which Inchmahome Priory, an ancient monastery, can be found. The Priory served as refuge in 1574 to the four year old Mary Queen of Scots for three weeks following the disastrous defeat of the Scots army at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh.

The priory was founded in 1238 by Walter Comyn, the Earl of Menteith, for a small community of Augustinian monks. The Comyns were one of the most powerful Scottish families at the time and had an imposing country house on Inch Talla, one of the other islands on the Lake. There is evidence that there was a church on the island before the priory was established.

The Loch is not particularly deep and can freeze over completely in exceptionally cold winters. If the ice becomes at least 7 inches thick an outdoor curling tournament called The Bonspiel is held on the loch. The last Bonspiel was held in 1979, the planned 2010 event having been abandoned on health and safety grounds. Unofficial curling competions are held by locals when the conditions are right.