Loch Benachally

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Loch Benachally
Top of Spurn Hill - geograph.org.uk - 1356611.jpg
The summit of Spurn Hill looking south by south-east to Loch Benachally in the distance.
Perth and Kinross UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Loch Benachally
Location in Perth and Kinross
Location NO071502
Coordinates 56°38′06″N3°30′58″W / 56.635°N 3.516°W / 56.635; -3.516 Coordinates: 56°38′06″N3°30′58″W / 56.635°N 3.516°W / 56.635; -3.516
Type freshwater reservoir
Primary outflows Benachally Burn
Max. length1.641 km (1.020 mi) [1]
Max. width0.74 km (0.46 mi) [1]
Surface area173 ha (430 acres) [2]
Average depth24.93 ft (7.60 m) [1]
Max. depth63.97 ft (19.50 m) [1]
Water volume179,777,998 cu ft (5,090,746.0 m3) [1]
Shore length14 km (2.5 mi) [2]
Surface elevation308 m (1,010 ft) [2]
Max. temperature57.2 °F (14.0 °C)
Min. temperature48.8 °F (9.3 °C)
Islands 0
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Loch Benachally is a large shallow freshwater reservoir that is located close to the Forest of Clunie in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. [1] [2]

The reservoir is operated by Scottish Water. [3]

Iron Age villages

Directly south-east of the reservoir are the remains of an Iron Age hut circle settlement and field system, centred on NO08354982 , that can clearly be seen from an aerial view. [4] The settlement consisted of a line of 6 hut circles connected by a common baulk, with an isolated hut about 37 metres (121 ft) to the east. [4] The huts range from 13 metres (43 ft) down to 8.3 metres (27 ft) between wall centres. Some huts have stone enclosures. [4] The field system of the Iron Age settlement has been visibly preserved down the ages and is marked with the remains of lynchets, walls and heaps of cleared stone. [4] As the huts are in a straight line, they resemble a street. The conspicuousness of the "street" is enhanced by a wall which runs parallel to the row of houses, 15 metres (49 ft) to the south. [4]

To the east-north-east of the Loch Benachally directly from the dam at the very south of the loch, is another Iron Age hut circle settlement and field system. [4] Here as well, the field system is easily recognisable. [4] The hut circle settlement follows a north-west to south-east orientation and is a larger settlement with 12 hut circles. [4] The huts measure from 11.3 metres (37 ft) down to 3.7 metres (12 ft) between wall centres. [4] There are two fields—a large field to the north and west of the hut circle group, and a small field to the south. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Tay Basin Volume II – Loch Benachally Reservoir. National Library of Scotland. p. 121. Retrieved 14 June 2020.PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Benachally". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  3. "Benachally, Loch". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Loch Benachally". Canmore. National Record of the Historic Environment. Retrieved 20 June 2020.