Loch of Kinnordy explained

Loch of Kinnordy
Photo Alt:Sunset over Loch of Kinnordy
Location:Angus, Scotland
Nearest City:Kirriemuir "town"
Coordinates:56.675°N -3.05°W
Area Km2:0.85
Area Ref:[1]
Established:1994
Governing Body:Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Loch of Kinnordy is a small loch located just west of town of Kirriemuir in Angus, Scotland, which is an important wildlife habitat. The loch itself is approximately 22 hectares, though this has varied over time with drainage attempts and the silting up of the outflow stream. Including surrounding fen, swamp and mire, 85 hectares are protected as a Ramsar Site.[2]

Loch of Kinnordy is a eutrophic loch which supports a number of rare species of wetland plants and migratory birds. There are internationally important numbers of greylag geese, with 1% of the Iceland population over-wintering at the site.[3] Black-headed gulls, pink-footed geese, water rails and whooper swans occur in nationally important numbers, along with otters, red squirrels, butterflies and dragonflies.

As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,[2] Loch of Kinnordy has been designated a Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1] The loch and surrounding area is also maintained as a nature reserve by the RSPB, with a car park, hides overlooking the loch and a bird-feeding station.[4]

In 2018 the badly burnt body of Steven Donaldson, a 27 year old man was found by the burnt out wreck of a car in the nature reserve car park. Police Scotland's Digital Forensics Unit investigated this as a murder, using records obtained from mobile phones.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Loch of Kinnordy. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 18 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Loch of Kinnordy. Ramsar Sites Information Service. 18 April 2019.
  3. Web site: UK Loch of Kinnordy 13038 RIS 2006. Ramsar Sites Information Service. 18 April 2019.
  4. Web site: The RSPB. Loch of Kinnordy Nature Reserve, Angus, Scotland - The RSPB. 18 April 2019.
  5. Channel 4 TV, "Murder Case: the Digital Detectives Ep 2"; transmitted 22 April 2024, Radio Times 20-26 April 2024, page 61