A clan historian claims that Loch Lomond is the site of the famous mythical lake connected to King Arthur.

The legendary lake is not usually named in most versions of the myth and several areas worldwide lay claim to being the real site behind the lore, including numerous spots in Wales and Glastonbury in England.

But Hugh McArthur, historian for Clan Arthur, believes that Loch Lomond is the true site of lake of legend.

In his book King Arthur and the Lake: A Secret History of Loch Lomond, he argues that Inchcailloch island in the loch is an island of ‘ancient religious femininity’ and fits in with being the true Avalon.

Mr MacArthur points out the loch is bounded to the north by the Rock of Britain, to the south Dumbarton Rock, which he terms the Fortress of the Britons, and to the west by Arthur’s mountain (Ben Arthur or The Cobbler) and can be traced in a ninth century text as the first wonder of Britain.

He claims the site of four battles fought by King Arthur are in the area and the Athurian knight Lancelot du Lac may have lived at Ring Point on the loch shore.

He said: “My only ambition is to deliver Arthur back home, to return the legends from where they were born. I hope that a lot of people could benefit in a lot of ways.

“People know that Ben Arthur is there and they know that Dumbarton has got associations with King Arthur but I don’t think people know there’s all the smaller bits that add support.

“You can’t prove anything – they are theories and suggestions – but I think there’s a lot of circumstantial evidence that’s about. I’m not trying to rob Wales of their heritage, it’s trying to include what Wales was.

“Wales is a remnant of the old Britain and Strathclyde is an equal remnant of that but nobody knows that 1,000 years ago this area spoke Welsh.” The book is one of a series on King Arthur in Scotland which Mr McArthur plans to relaunch.

He has revised the book and two others is currently writing a further booklet in the series.

When the books were previously published there were available at Loch Lomond Shores and Mugdock Country Park.