Loch Brora

Last updated

Loch Brora
Anonymous beauty along the River Brora - geograph.org.uk - 1538684.jpg
The River Brora flowing just east of the Lake towards it
Sutherland UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Loch Brora
LocationScotland
Coordinates 58°03′14″N3°57′20″W / 58.05390167°N 3.95552158°W / 58.05390167; -3.95552158
Primary inflows River Brora, Black Water, Allt Smeorali
Primary outflows River Brora
Basin  countriesUnited Kingdom
Max. length4.9 kilometres (3.0 mi)
Max. width680 metres (2,230 ft)
Surface area13 km squared (5 square miles)
Surface elevation27.3 metres (90 ft)
FrozenOccasionally parts will freeze
Islands 2
SettlementsGordonbush, Killin, Carrol, Balnacoil

Loch Brora is a loch in the Golspie parish near the east coast of Sutherland in the Highland council area in Northern Scotland. It is located directly south of a small road which links a few miles east with the A9 in Brora from where the loch gets its name. [1]

Contents

Besides Brora, the area is also home to the settlements of Kilbraur, Balnacoil, Ascoil, Ardachadh. The settlements of Gordonbush, Oldtown, Killin and Carrol are on the lakefront itself. [2] [3]

Geography

The Loch is long and thin with two small channels which give the illusion that there are three different lochs, not just one. At the southern end of the loch, there are two small unnamed islands. In terms of outflow there is only the River Brora. In terms of inflow, primarily there's the same River Brora which directly prior to flowing into the loch has another river, the Black Water flow into it. Additionally there are two other notable inflows to Loch Brora: Allt Smeorali and the Carrol Burn, both of which flow into the loch directly. There are a few other small streams and brooks which make up the inflow of Loch Brora. There are some trails on the southern bank of the loch, on the opposite side of the road. They spur up north from Carrol and round appropriately named Carrol Rock and some of the other small peaks around Loch Brora. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Angling

Angling is popular in the area and within the waters of the Loch and nearby rivers. Salmon is a common catch. [5] [6]

Wildlife

The Loch is home to a number of bird species including goldeneye, mallard, curlew, redshank, oystercatcher, lapwing, osprey, and occasionally golden eagles.

Mammals include otter, roe deer, moles and hedgehogs. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutherland</span> Historic county in Scotland

Sutherland is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area in the Highlands of Scotland. Its county town is Dornoch. Sutherland borders Caithness and Moray Firth to the east, Ross-shire and Cromartyshire to the south and the Atlantic to the north and west. Like its southern neighbour Ross-shire, Sutherland has some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, especially on its western fringe where the mountains meet the sea. These include high sea cliffs, and very old mountains composed of Precambrian and Cambrian rocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brora</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Brora is a village in the east of Sutherland, in the Highland area of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golspie</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Golspie is a village and parish in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland, which lies on the North Sea coast in the shadow of Ben Bhraggie. It has a population of around 1,350.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Shin</span> River in northern Scotland

The River Shin is a river in the Scottish North West Highlands.

Balnacoil is a small crofting village, lying in the strath of Brora, one mile west of Loch Brora, in the east county of Sutherland, in Highland, Scotland. The River Brora, which rises in Ben Armine, runs through Balnacoil, draining into the loch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Veyatie</span> Freshwater loch

Loch Veyatie is a large freshwater loch in north-west Scotland. It stretches for 6 km north-westwards from the settlement of Elphin, and lies between Suilven and Cùl Mòr. The loch is located in an area known as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area, one of 40 such areas in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Brora</span>

The River Brora is an east-flowing river in Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It is formed where its headwater streams, Allt Gobhlach and Allt nan Con-uisge meet. As a part of the Loch Shin Hydro Scheme, some of its flow is now diverted at Dalnessie into the Féith Osdail, a tributary of the River Tirry. It then flows southeastwards down Strath Brora to Dalreavoch. The river then briefly turns northeast and then east, before turning southeastwards once again to pass through the three distinct basins of Loch Brora to enter the Moray Firth on the North Sea at the town of Brora. Its one principal tributary is the Black Water which enters on its left bank at Balnacoil. The Black Water is itself fed by the River Skinsdale and the Coirefrois Burn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowes Loch (Ayrshire)</span> Lake in the United Kingdom

Lowes Loch, The Lochs or Loch of Hill is now a small natural freshwater loch in the North Ayrshire Council Areas, Scotland, lying in a glacial kettle hole, once of greater extent, lying below Brownmuir and Lochland Hills on the Threepwood Road, near Beith, in the Parish of Beith. The loch may once have had a small island within it.

Ardvar is a small settlement in Assynt district of Sutherland located within the Highland council area of Scotland. It is located on the banks of Loch Ardbhair. It is located 3 miles from Drumbeg and 5 from Unapool. It is also 25 miles from Ullapool and the A835 road. 1 mile from the town is the B869 road. Ardvar is elevated at around 20 metres above sea level.

Loch Dionard is a medium-sized loch in the Durness Parish, in Sutherland, Highland Council Area, Northern Scotland. It is in the North-Western Highlands about four miles south of Polla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Merkland</span> Inland loch in Sutherland, Northern Scotland

Loch Merkland is a large long inland loch in Sutherland, Northern Scotland. It is located adjacent to the A838 main road which provides almost all access to the Loch and the Merkland Lodge to the south of it. There are many trails and hiking paths in the area, as per usual in the highlands of Scotland. On the Banks just above the Lodge there's also Merkland Cottage meaning there are residents around the Loch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Urigill</span> Freshwater reservoir

Loch Urigill is a freshwater loch near Elphin at the southern tip of the Assynt District in north-west Sutherland, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Borralan</span> Loch in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Loch Borralan is a freshwater loch in the Assynt District of Sutherland in the Highland Council Area, northern Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Badanloch</span> Lake in northern Scotland

Loch Badanloch is a loch in Sutherland in the Highland Council Area of northern Scotland.

Loch Nan Clar is a loch in Sutherland in the Highland Council Area of northern Scotland. It is located near the B871 main road, and there is no settlement directly on the lake although the hamlets of Gearnsary and Garvault are very nearby. The loch is used as both a reservoir and as one of few salmon fishery areas in Highland.

Loch Rimsdale is a loch in the Farr parish in Sutherland in the Highland Council Area of northern Scotland. It is located near the B871 main road. There are no settlements directly on the loch however the hamlet of Gearnsary and the Farmstead of Rimsdale are very nearby. The loch is used as both a reservoir and as one of few salmon fishery areas in Highland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Hope</span> Lake in Highland, Scotland, UK

Loch Hope is a loch in the Durness parish in Sutherland in the Highland Council Area of northern Scotland. It is located on the A838 main road. The settlements of Hope, Lochside, and Muiseal directly on the loch in addition nearby there's Inverhope, Heilam, Moine House, Alltnacaillich, Strathmore, etc.. The Loch is a large tourist destination for the area around it.

Achnahuaigh or Achinahuaigh is a crofting hamlet and neighbourhood in the Melness area of Sutherland in the Highland council area in Northern Scotland. The hamlet is located on the minor road which passes though most of Melness including Talmine. North of the settlement, the road divides in two with one road continuing to Achininver and the other going to Midfield. Further north the Midfield spur has another road junction to Portvasgo. The settlement is located adjacent a small stream, Allt Achadh na h-Uaighe and some of its smaller tributaries all of which get their water from nearby Cnoc na Gobhar and Loch Vasgo. Achnahuaigh is located 71 metres above sea level and is surrounded by a few rural, small hiking trails

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Naver</span> Loch in Scotland

Loch Naver is a loch in the Farr parish in Sutherland in the Highland council area of northern Scotland. It is situated upon the B873 main road. Upon the loch are also the settlements of Kilbreck, Redhackaistelll and Dailmallhart. Additionally Alltnaharra and Achanaes are nearby. Fishing is very popular on Loch Naver and the River Naver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Choire</span> Loch in Scotland

Loch Choire is a loch in Sutherland in the Highland council area of northern Scotland. It is located at the end of a rural street which links the loch and the lodges around it with Badanloch Lodge and the B871 main road.

References

  1. 1 2 "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 "OS Maps: online mapping and walking, running and cycling routes". osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 "#GetOutside: do more in the British Outdoors". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. "Loch Brora, Sutherland". collections.st-andrews.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  5. "Loch Brora Walk Route". www.gps-routes.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  6. "Loch Brora Angling Club - LBAC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  7. "Brora Tourist Information, NC500 Activities Whisky, art, wildlife,golf,fishing". Brora Visitor :: Tourist and Visitor Information. Retrieved 20 February 2022.