| Loch Dionard | |
|---|---|
  Loch Dionard | |
| Location | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 58°23′57″N4°48′52″W / 58.39917°N 4.81444°W Coordinates: 58°23′57″N4°48′52″W / 58.39917°N 4.81444°W |
| Primary inflows | Allt an Easain Ghill |
| Primary outflows | Dionard River |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Settlements | None |
Loch Dionard is a medium-sized loch in the Durness Parish, in Sutherland, Highland Council Area, Northern Scotland. [1] [2] It is in the North-Western Highlands about four miles south of Polla.
Loch Dionard is 6 miles (9.7 km) away from the settlements of Eriboll, Rhiconich, Achriesgill and Alltnacaillich, [3] that don't have direct road access to the loch. [2] There are two small roads connecting tourist cottages and mountain trains/portages [4] in the area, to the rest of Scotland. The road to the south provides a link to Alltnacaillich and the nearest paved road; the route is about 11 miles (18 km), 9 miles (14 km) of which are on narrow, bumpy gravel tracks through mountainous terrain. [1] [2] [5] The nearest settlement with commercial services is Tongue. The other road is a small dirt track, to the north of the loch unconnected to the southerly route. It follows the banks of the River Dionard to Gualin House and the A838 6 miles (9.7 km) away, [2] [5] [1] with access to Durness 11 miles (18 km) further north.
Loch Dionard is 357 feet (108.81 m) above standard sea level, which is relatively high for a loch, but far from any mountain peaks. [5] As a result, it is a consolidation point for many rivers and streams that run from the mountains into the Atlantic Ocean. [2] The most notable river flowing into Loch Dionard is the Allt an Eassain Ghil which provides water, from An Dubh-Loch and Lochan Ulbha which themselves bring in water from the mountain peaks of Sabhal Mor, Meall Horn, Creagan Meall Horn, Coire Lochan Ulbha. Other rivers include Allt Creag Urbhard, from An t-Sail Mhor, Allt Horn and Allt Eilidh a' Chleirich. The latter gets water from Loch Sgeireach, which gets water, from Creag Staonsaid, which also flows into Loch Staonsaid and Meall a Lochain Sgeireach. Finally, there is water flowing from Loch Fir Dhuirinis, which also gets its water from Creag Staonsaid flowing into the east of the Loch alongside the Allt nan Caraichean Duibh. [2] [5]
Flowing outward, only the River Dionard which is more notable and larger than any of the aforementioned rivers; it is the main inflow to the Kyle of Durness, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean. The river is the main water source for the settlements of Gualin House, Carbreck and Lairg. [2] [5]
There are a few cottages in the area around Loch Dionard, [3] and the river southward has fishing and tourist destinations. [6] [7] There are also a few heritage paths and trails in the area [4] but, due to its isolation and the much more accessible Loch Awe (25 miles away on the A837), Loch Dionard remains isolated. [3]
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.
Glen Coe is a glen of volcanic origins, in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies in the north of the county of Argyll, close to the border with the historic province of Lochaber, within the modern council area of Highland. Glen Coe is regarded as the home of Scottish mountaineering and is popular with hillwalkers and climbers.
Ben Lawers is the highest mountain in the Breadalbane region of the Scottish Highlands. It lies north of Loch Tay and is the highest peak of the 'Ben Lawers group', a ridge that includes six other Munros: Beinn Ghlas, Meall Garbh, Meall Corranaich, An Stùc, Meall Greigh and Meall a' Choire Leith. It is also the highest peak in Perthshire, and the tenth highest Munro in Scotland. Ben Lawers was long thought to be over 4000 feet in height; accurate measurement in the 1870s showed it to be 3,983 feet (1,214 m).
Ben Ledi is a mountain in Stirling, Scotland. It is 879 metres high, and is therefore classified as a Corbett. It lies about six kilometres northwest of Callander, near the village of Kilmahog. It is situated in the Trossachs, an area often regarded as having some of the most romantic scenery in the Highlands.
Loch Laggan is a freshwater loch situated approximately 6+1⁄2 mi (10.5 km) west of Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands. The loch has an irregular shape, runs nearly northeast to southwest and is approximately 7 mi (11 km) in length. It has an average depth of 68 ft (21 m) and is 174 ft (53 m) at its deepest. The eastern end of the loch features the largest freshwater beach in Britain. Since 1934 Loch Laggan has been part of the Lochaber hydro-electric scheme. At the northeast end of the loch is the hamlet of Kinloch Laggan.
Meall a' Chrasgaidh is a Scottish mountain located in the Fannich group of mountains, 21 kilometres south-southeast of Ullapool.
Chno Dearg is a mountain in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands. It overlooks Glen Spean to the north and Loch Treig to the west. With a height of 1,046 metres (3,432 ft), it is classed as a Munro.
Meall na h-Eilde is a Scottish hill situated in the high ground between the Great Glen and Glen Garry, 23 km north of Fort William in the Highland Council Area.
Loch a' Bhraoin, Loch Broom, is a freshwater loch, located in Wester Ross, in Ross-shire, on the west coast of Scotland.
The River Dionard is a river in the historic county of Sutherland in northwest Scotland. It arises as the outflow from Loch Dionard which lies below the eastern side of Foinaven and flows north-northwest through Strath Dionard below that mountain's eastern flanks for 7 km before turning north and then northeast towards the head of the Kyle of Durness. Its winding channel is exposed at low tide within the sands of this shallow firth which connects with the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast. The principal headwater stream feeding Loch Dionard is the Allt an Easain Ghill which passes through two lochans beneath Meall Horn; the upper Lochan Ulbha and the lower An Dubh-loch. The nearby Allt Eilidh a' Chleirich flows from a third lochan, Lochan Sgeireach. There are numerous other streams and lochans in the upper catchment. The Gualin National Nature Reserve has been established within the catchment.
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 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.
Loch Urigill is a freshwater loch near Elphin at the southern tip of the Assynt District in north-west Sutherland, Scotland.
Loch Borralan is a freshwater loch in the Assynt District of Sutherland in the Highland Council Area, 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.
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, ect.. The Loch is a large tourist destination for the area around it.
The Meall an t-Suidhe is a mountain in Scotland, located close to the Ben Nevis.
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.