Walkers this week expressed concern about a “dramatic” drop in the level of Airthrey Loch within Stirling University’s campus.
The man-made loch was created in the late 18th century as part of the landscape designed around the Airthrey Castle estate.
The level of the loch, which is home to a variety of birdlife including swans and ducks, is estimated to have fallen by two to three feet. And the distance between the water and the usual shoreline in some areas has receded leaving the loch bed to dry out.
Stirling University said this week the low level of the loch is due to a lack of rain.
St Ninians couple Martin and Rosalind McCrae, who walk around the loch regularly to see the wildlife, were surprised to find it well below its usual level on a visit last Sunday.
Martin had worked as a gardener at the university campus between 1970 and 1980 and has seen it in all seasons over the years.
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He said: “We were astonished to see the state of the water. There has been quite a loss. I’d say the water level is down about two to three feet - and the distance to the water from the shoreline on the south side of the loch is about 20ft.
“The loch is a favourite spot of ours to visit at any time of year - and a big wildlife reservoir. We enjoy watching the birds so we were quite taken aback to see it in this condition. It’s quite dramatic.”
A Stirling University spokesperson said this week: “We are working with specialists to address the low level of water in Airthrey Loch, which has been impacted by a lengthy period of low rainfall.
“We are hopeful that this work will see the loch’s water level soon return to normal.”
