List of lochs of Scotland explained

This list of lochs in Scotland includes the majority of bodies of standing freshwater named as lochs but only a small selection of the generally smaller, and very numerous, lochans. This list does not currently include the reservoirs of Scotland except where these are modifications of pre-existing lochs and retain the name "loch" or "lochan".

It has been estimated that there are at least 31,460 freshwater lochs (including lochans) in Scotland, and more than 7,500 in the Western Isles alone.[1] Whilst lochs are widespread throughout the country, they are most numerous within the Scottish Highlands and in particular in the former counties of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty. The majority of the larger lochs are linear in form; their distribution through the West Highlands reflects their origin in the glacial overdeepening of the straths and glens they now occupy.

Loch is a Scottish Gaelic word for a lake or fjord (cognate with the Irish Gaelic loch, which is anglicised as lough and with the older Welsh word for a lake, llwch) that has been borrowed by Scots and Scottish English to apply to such bodies of water, especially those in Scotland. Whilst "loch" or "lochan" is by far the most widespread name for bodies of standing water in Scotland, a number of other terms exist. The Lake of Menteith is the only natural body of freshwater called a "lake" in Scotland, (although it is also known as Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig in Gaelic) and there are one or two other man-made "lakes", the Lake of the Hirsel being an example. Numerous lochs are called "water", particularly in the Northern Isles, e.g. Roer Water in Shetland and Heldale Water in Orkney. These are not to be confused with similarly named rivers, particularly in the south of Scotland, e.g. Yarrow Water and Blackadder Water.

Largest and deepest lochs

This table includes the twelve largest lochs by volume, area and length as listed by Murray and Pullar (1910).[2] [3] The volume of water in Loch Ness is nearly double that in all the lakes of England and Wales combined.[1] Murray and Pullar also note that the mean depth of Loch Ness is 57.4% of the maximum depth – higher than in any other large deep loch, with Loch Avich coming closest at 52.4%.[4] Lochs Maree, Shiel and Ness are recorded as being the narrowest of the large lochs in relation to their length.[5]

LochVolume
(km3)		Volume
(mi3)		Area
(km2)		Area
(mi2)		Length
(km)		Length
(mi)		Max. depth
(m)		Max. depth
(ft)		Mean depth
(m)		Mean depth
(ft)[6]
Loch Ness7.45km356km236.2km (22.5miles)227m (745feet)132m (433feet)
Loch Lomond2.6km371km2 36km (22miles)190m (620feet)37m (121feet)[7]
2.3km326.7km218.8km (11.7miles)310m (1,020feet)87m (285feet)[8]
Loch Tay1.6km326.4km223km (14miles)150m (490feet)60.6m (198.8feet)[9]
1.2km339km241km (25miles)94m (308feet)32m (105feet)[10]
Loch Maree1.09km328.6km220km (10miles)114m (374feet)38m (125feet)
Loch Ericht1.08km318.6km223km (14miles)156m (512feet)57.6m (189feet)
Loch Lochy1.07km316km216km (10miles)162m (531feet)70m (230feet)[11]
Loch Rannoch0.97km319km215.7km (09.8miles)134m (440feet)51m (167feet)[12]
Loch Shiel0.79km319.5km228km (17miles)128m (420feet)40m (130feet)[13]
Loch Katrine0.77km312.4km212.9km (08miles)151m (495feet)43.4m (142.4feet)[14]
Loch Arkaig0.75km316km219.3km (12miles)109m (358feet)46.5m (152.6feet)[15]
Loch Shin0.35km322.5km227.8km (17.3miles)49m (161feet)15.5m (50.9feet)[16]

Neither the Loch of Stenness nor the Loch of Harray on Mainland Orkney is large enough to appear in the above table (Loch of Harray is 16th by area) but at higher stages of the tide they are connected to one another and to the marine waters of Hoy Sound. The former is the largest brackish lagoon in the UK[17] and the latter, whilst predominantly freshwater, does have a transition zone in the vicinity of the Bridge of Brodgar where the two are connected.[18] The two lochs together cover an area of 19.3km2[18] but have a volume of only 0.047km3 as they are so shallow; Loch of Stenness has a maximum depth of 5.2m (17.1feet). Although flow between the two lochs and the sea can be observed, the water levels only change slightly with the movements of the tide.[19]

Mainland

In reaching an alphabetically arranged list, the words "loch" and "lochan" have been ignored as have articles and prepositions in both Gaelic (a', an, an t-, na, na h-, nam, nan etc.) and English (of, the etc.). Those that have been converted to reservoirs for water supply or in association with hydroelectric projects and whose levels have been artificially raised by the construction of dams or barrages are annotated as reservoir.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

No entries

Y

Z

No entries

Lochs on islands

There are a very large number of lochs on the islands of Scotland, with the greatest density occurring in the Outer Hebrides. North and South Uist and Lewis in particular have landscapes with a high percentage of freshwater and a maze and complexity of loch shapes. Harris has fewer large bodies of water but innumerable small lochans.

Larger

Those listed in this section are confined to the larger or otherwise notable lochs.

Loch Orasaigh in Lewis is only about 125ha in extent but the island of Rainish Eilean Mòr is probably the largest island in Scotland relative to the size of the body of water it sits in, as it takes up about 20% of the loch's surface area.

The meanings of the names are generally derived from Gaelic, Old Norse or Scots.

LochMeaning of nameIslandwidth=10%OS Grid ref.Area (ha)Area (acre)Depth (m)Depth (ft)Notes[20]
Loch a' PhuillGaelic: Loch of the bog or pool[21] TireeLocated in the south west near Balephuil.
Loch AscogNorse: Loch of ash bayBute44.7haLocated south of Rothesay.[22]
Loch BàMull324ha44m (144feet)[23]
Loch BarabhatGreat Bernera
Loch BìSouth Uist10m (30feet)South Uist's largest loch is in the north of the island and at 8km (05miles) long it all but cuts the island in two.
Loch of BoardhouseMainland Orkney244ha5m (16feet)[24] In Birsay parish
Loch CarabhatGrimsay
Loch CarabhatNorth Uist151ha22.5m (73.8feet)North Uist's third largest loch[25]
Loch of CliffUnst104ha6.5m (21.3feet)5km (03miles) long and the most northerly loch in Britain.[26]
Loch CoruiskGaelic: Loch of the corrie of waterSkye38.4m (126feet)[27] [28] Located in the heart of the Black Cuillin mountains on Skye.
Loch DruidibeagSouth Uist500ha[29] Part of the Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve on the west coast of South Uist.
Loch FadGaelic: Long lochBute71ha 11.5m (37.7feet)[30] Stocked with Brown and Rainbow Trout the loch is an SSSI.[31]
Loch FadaColonsayColonsay's largest loch
Loch Fada GobhaLewis125ha14m (46feet)This loch, which lies between Lochs Treabhal and Langavat, is 3km (02miles) long.[32]
Loch FinlagganLoch of the white hollow[33] IslayEilean Mor was an administration centre of the Lordship of the Isles during the 13th—15th centuries. The English name is derived from Gaelic, but the Gaelic name itself is Port an Eilein and means "island port".
Loch FrisaMull430ha62.5m (205.1feet)Mull's largest loch[34]
Loch of GirlstaMainland Shetland20m (70feet)
Loch GormBlue lochIslayContains Loch Gorm Castle, once a stronghold of Clan Macdonald.
Loch of HarrayNorse: Loch of the moundMainland Orkney971ha4m (13feet)[35] Closely linked to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site.
Heldale WaterHoyOne of the largest bodies of freshwater in Orkney not on the Mainland
Loch LangavatGaelic/Norse: Long lake[36] [37] Lewis906.5ha30m (100feet)[38] This loch lies at 33m (108feet) above sea level, is over 11km (07miles) long and is at the head of the Grimersta system.
Loch LangavatGaelic/Norse: Long lakeHarris
Loch LeathanGaelic: Broad LochSkyeThis loch to the east of Portree, which includes Loch Fada, is about 5km (03miles) long.
Loch MealtSkyeLocated south of Ellishadder, on the eastern side of the Trotternish peninsula
Loch MòrGaelic: Big lochBorerayA shallow loch that make up about an eighth of the area of the island
Muckle WaterScots: Big lakeRousayOne of the largest bodies of freshwater in Orkney not on the Mainland
Loch nan CinneachanGaelic: Loch of the "" or "gentiles".[39] CollContains the crannog Dùn Anlaimh
Loch OlabhatBenbeculaOne of Benbecula's larger lochs, it contains numerous islands.
Loch OrasaighGaelic: Tidal island loch?LewisContains Rainish Eilean Mòr (see above).
Loch Righ MòrGaelic: Great loch of the kingJura
Loch SgadabhaghNorse: Possibly Loch of tax bayNorth Uist453ha15m (49feet)[40] According to Murray and Pullar (1910) "there is probably no other loch in Britain which approaches Loch Scadavay in irregularity and complexity of outline."
Loch an SgoltaireColonsay
Loch of SpiggieShetland86ha12.5m (41feet)[41] Part of an RSPB Nature reserve, the surface is only just over a metre above sea level.
Loch of StennessNorse: Loch of the headland of the stoneMainland Orkney647ha5m (16feet)[42] The largest brackish lagoon in the UK, the Stones of Stenness are on the south east shore.
Loch of St TredwellLoch of St TredwellPapa Westray10m (30feet)Named after St Triduana, the loch's waters were traditionally believed to be medicinal.[43]
Loch SuaineabhalLoch of Sweyn's FellLewis226ha[44] 66.7m (218.8feet)This glaciated loch basin has a mean depth of 33m (108feet) and is the most voluminous on Lewis.[45] The loch may be the deepest on any offshore island in the British Isles.
Loch of SwannayOrkney244ha5m (16feet)Located in the north west of Mainland Orkney there are numerous stony shoals in the loch.
Loch of TankernessNorse: Possibly Loch of Tannskári's point.[46] Mainland Orkney60ha2m (07feet)North east of Kirkwall, the loch's mean depth is only 1.4m (04.6feet).[47]
Loch TannaArranArran's largest loch is 321 metres above sea level.
Loch of TingwallNorse: Loch of the field of the parliamentMainland Shetland43ha12m (39feet)[48] West of Lerwick
Loch Trealabhal Lewis157ha10.5m (34.4feet)[49] Another shallow Hebridean loch with a complex shape.
Loch of WatleeNorse: Unst

Smaller

Less substantial lochs include the following.

Clickimin Loch

Loch of Houll, Loch of Huxter, Loch of Isbister, Loch of Livister, Loch of Sandwick, Loch of Stanefield, Loch of Vats-houll, Nuckro Water, East Loch of Skaw, West Loch of Skaw

Historic lochs

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/advisorynotes/4/4.htm "Botanical survey of Scottish freshwater lochs"
  2. The 13 lochs listed include the 12 largest in these categories. Loch Treig and Loch Glass are listed as the 9th and 12th deepest respectively.
  3. This was not an exhaustive survey, and several of the larger lochs in the Outer Hebrides were not included. However it is highly unlikely any would appear in this tabulation, were full data to be available. Loch Langavat is listed as the 14th longest and 19th largest by area. For Loch of Harray see main text.
  4. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Ness Basin" pp.381–385, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  5. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Ewe Basin" p.211, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  6. Source for all quantities is the same unless otherwise stated.
  7. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Clyde Basin" Page 262, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  8. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Morar Basin" Page 197, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  9. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Tay Basin" Page 80, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  10. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Etive Basin" Page 270, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  11. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Lochy Basin" Page 356, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  12. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Tay Basin" Pages 68–69, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  13. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Shiel Basin" Pages 241–42, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  14. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Forth Basin" Pages 1–2, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  15. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Lochy Basin" Page 359, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  16. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of the Naver Basin" Pages 293–94, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  17. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/sac.asp?EUcode=UK0014749 "Loch of Stennes"
  18. "Lochs of Harray and Stenness Site of Special Scientific Interest" Midas 1083. SNH
  19. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Orkney" Pages 224–25, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 19 June 2011. Murray and Pullar provide a lower estimate of the combined area.
  20. Source for area, depth and notes is the same unless otherwise stated.
  21. Web site: Placenames A-E . Iain Mac an Tàilleir . Pàrlamaid na h-Alba . PDF . 15 December 2009 .
  22. http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Reservoirs%20Act%20Public%20Register%2012%2006%2018.pdf "Argyll and Bute Council Reservoirs Act 1975 Public Register"
  23. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Mull" Page 175, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  24. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Orkney" Page 227, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  25. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of North Uist" Page 197, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  26. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of North Shetland" Page 246, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20130605104202/http://www.skye.co.uk/images/resources/central-leaflet.pdf "Central Skye"
  28. Douglas, W. (1898) recorded a depth of 96 feet or 29 metres. See "The Climbers' camp at Coruisk" Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal 5 No. 1. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  29. The Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve extends to 1677 ha, of which the loch makes up about 30%. See "Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve: ‘Where Opposites Meet’ " SNH. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  30. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Bute" Page 84, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  31. http://www.isle-of-bute.com/lochfad/ "Loch Fad"
  32. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Page 209, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  33. Web site: Placenames F-J . Iain Mac an Tàilleir . Pàrlamaid na h-Alba . PDF . 15 December 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080410210611/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesF-J.pdf . 10 April 2008 .
  34. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Mull" Page 174, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  35. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Orkney" Page 225, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  36. Web site: Placenames K-O . Iain Mac an Tàilleir . Pàrlamaid na h-Alba . PDF . 23 July 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926234316/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesK-O.pdf . 26 September 2011 .
  37. [Sir Herbert Maxwell, 7th Baronet|Maxwell, Sir Herbert]
  38. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Page 213, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  39. Beveridge (1903) pp. 25–29. "Gentiles" is a possible reference to Vikings.
  40. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of North Uist" Page 188, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  41. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Shetland" Page 244, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  42. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Orkney" Page 224, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  43. http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/sacredwater/tredwell.htm "Holy Wells and Magical Waters"
  44. Murray and Pullar (1910) state that its area is "nearly a square mile, or about one-fourth that of Loch Langavat".
  45. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Page 216, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  46. http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/parish.htm "Orkney Placenames"
  47. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Shetland" Page 227, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  48. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Shetland" Page 243, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  49. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Page 209, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.

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