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Hundreds of fish found dead in historic loch

Tom Lambert Dozens of silvery dead fishTom Lambert
The fish that died were roach - indigenous to the loch

An investigation has been launched after hundreds of fish were found dead in Linlithgow's historic loch.

Images from the loch show a large amount of dead fish in water next to outlet pipes from the nearby Kingsfield estate.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it attended the site on Tuesday following the discovery on Monday night.

The environment watchdog is trying to discover if pollution was the cause of the mass killing.

Tom Lambert, Linlithgow Loch Fishery secretary, told BBC Scotland News he had never seen such a shocking sight.

Although the loch is stocked with rainbow trout he said it had killed a huge shoal of roach, which are indigenous to the loch.

Tom Lambert Fish dead in the waterTom Lambert
Fish dead at the outsource pipe

"A toxic substance must have come down the pipe as it's killed all the young roach sheltering at the outflow," he said.

"A lot of members of the public don't realise if they put things down drains it can end up in the loch."

Some of the fish were also lying on the grass beyond the pipe outlet.

"They were trying to escape the toxic substance and have ended up on the grass, it's terrible," he said.

Mr Lambert took a boat out into the middle of the loch and found more dead roach there.

"I feel very sad and disappointed that this has happened," he said. "This has been happening for many years, not as big a fish kill as this but nothing seems to be done about it.

"They haven't diverted the pipes. They don't want to spend the money so it's just convenient to have them pouring straight into the loch."

Getty Images Linlithgow Palace, on the banks of Linlithgow LochGetty Images
Linlithgow Palace, on the banks of Linlithgow Loch, was the birthplace of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots

The loch is a site of special interest and huge tourist attraction.

Linlithgow Palace, which sits next to the loch, is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and James V. It has been described as Scotland's finest surviving late medieval secular building.

Mr Lambert asked Historic Environment Scotland, which owns the site, to send a ranger to remove the fish but was told he had been advised by Sepa to leave them until their investigation is complete.

A spokeswoman for Historic Environment Scotland said: "We continue to work closely with Sepa as they undertake an investigation.

"Our rangers are monitoring any further changes and, as a precaution, we would advise members of the public to avoid the area in question while further investigations take place."

There are now concerns other wildlife could be poisoned by eating the fish, which were still there on Friday.

A spokeswoman for Sepa said: "We received reports of a number of dead fish found in Linlithgow Loch on 11 November and officers attended the site the following day.

"We continue to work with partners as we investigate potential causes for the incident."

A Scottish Water spokesman said: "We have found no issues with any of our infrastructure in the area but will assist Sepa in any investigation that is carried out."