| Gladhouse Reservoir | |
| Coords: | 55.7695°N -3.1198°W |
| Type: | reservoir |
| Pushpin Map: | Scotland Midlothian |
| Basin Countries: | Scotland |
| Area: | 460acres |
| Islands: | 3 |
Gladhouse Reservoir, formerly known as Moorfoot Loch, is a reservoir in Midlothian, Scotland, five miles (8 km) south of Penicuik. It is the most southerly reservoir in Midlothian, as well as being the largest area of freshwater in the Lothians. It is used to supply Edinburgh with drinking water.
It was created in 1879 by the engineer James Leslie (1801–1889)[1] and is the oldest of the reservoirs built in the catchment of the River South Esk. It was constructed to supply Edinburgh with water, the older and smaller reservoirs in the Pentland Hills being unable to meet the city's needs.[2]
Gladhouse Reservoir covers an area of 186ha meaning it is the largest freshwater area in the Lothians.[3] It is a sizeable, rather shallow waterbody which contains two small islands, lying at an altitude of 270m (890feet) above sea level at the foot of the Moorfoot Hills.[4] The dam and its associated construction were built using pink sandstone and were designed to have a capacity of up to "1700 million gallons" of water. This engineering achievement was considered impressive at the time. By constructing the dam and creating the reservoir by damming the River South Esk, the people of Edinburgh were able to increase their available water supply by 180 liters (40 imperial gallons) per person. This project significantly enhanced the water resources for the city.[5] It is the most southerly of all the reservoirs in the Lothians.[2]
Gladhouse Reservoir is stocked with brown trout and is a popular site for fishing.[2]
Gladhouse Reservoir is an important roost site for wintering populations of pink-footed goose and has a large population of greylag goose. It has been designated a Ramsar site because of its internationally important counts of pink-footed goose.[6] Mallard, tufted duck, teal, coot, common moorhen, great crested grebe and little grebe have all bred. In winter there are populations of mallard, teal, wigeon and tufted duck.[4]