Loch Loyal

Loch Loyal

Loch Loyal is a freshwater Highland loch located near Lairg in Sutherland.

Loch Loyal is a ribbon loch typical of the Highlands, but pressed into a banana shape but the mass of Ben Loyal (2,510 feet) rising above its western shore. The loch is about four miles long by about half a mile wide, and drops to a maximum depth of 200 feet. The stream flowing out of the loch flows north through Loch Craggie and Loch Slaim to become the River Borgie, which flows north to the sea.

Loch Loyal is surrounded by mountain ranges that include Ben Loyal itself on the west side and Beinn Stumanadh to the east. Subsidiary tops of Ben Loyal overlooking its waters include Ben Hiel, and Cnoc nan Cuilean, as well as Ben Loyal's own summit top, known as An Caisteal.

The closest town to Loch Loyal is Tongue on the north coast.

In 2002 Loch Loyal had a population of one thousand greylag geese and provides nesting sites for rare black-throated divers.

Location

• Location map: 58°23’46"N, 4°21’30"W

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Loch Loyal)

References

• Press and Journal - Article - Unexpected pleasures abound on Loch Loyal