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There are two different stories as to why this 8 acre upland lake is named Hiraethlyn. The romantic one centres on the story of a young man beside himself with grief after the death of his girlfriend when he tries to cross the frozen-over lake he falls through thin ice in the centre of the lake caused by the action of the underwater springs and, of course, drowns. The Welsh word Hiraeth being similar to longing but with a more intense emotional meaning to it.
The second version is based on the lake being referred to orginally as Hiraiddlyn - long lake, but with time the name changed to Hiraethlyn.
The lake is also home to a peculiar type of perch, much smaller than normal, with a "deformed" spine and twisted tail - I've never seen one, so I can't confirm!

LLYN RHUTHLYN
Ail i gyfaredd telyn - rhyw unig
Riannon gwallt melyn
Ar nos o haf rhwng bryniau syn
Yw hiraethlais tonna'r Rhuthlyn.
Hedd Wyn

Gallery in progress, please revisit.