Loch Veyatie

Freshwater loch
58°04′32″N 5°05′20″W / 58.075529°N 5.088992°W / 58.075529; -5.088992Typefreshwater lochPrimary outflowsUidh FheàrnaMax. length6.4 km (4.0 mi)[1]Max. width0.8 km (0.50 mi)[1]Surface area257 ha (640 acres)[2]Average depth41 ft (12 m)[1]Max. depth125.8 ft (38.3 m)[1]Water volume1,132,526,812.12 cu ft (32,069,588.000 m3)[1]Shore length122 km (14 mi) [2]Surface elevation124 m (407 ft)[2]Max. temperature56.9 °F (13.8 °C)[1]Min. temperature56.9 °F (13.8 °C)[1]SettlementsElphin1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Loch Veyatie (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Mheathadaidh) is a large freshwater loch in north-west Scotland.[3][1][2] 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,[4] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[5]

Parish boundary

The boundary between Ross-shire and Sutherland (and therefore between the parishes of Lochbroom and Assynt) runs the length of the loch.

Angling

Well known for its trout (including ferox) and charr, it is a popular destination for anglers. Run-off from a salmon hatchery at the eastern end of the loch attracts large fish, including, unusually, charr, into its main feeder river, the Abhainn Mhòr. The reservoir Cam Loch is directly located 1 km to the northeast, and follows the same orientation.

Geography

Loch Veyatie is drained at its western end by Uidh Fheàrna, a channel of slow-moving water leading into Fionn Loch, which is itself drained by the River Kirkaig leading to the notable 20m Falls of Kirkaig before entering Loch Kirkaig.[6]

Frigate

The Loch-class frigate HMS Loch Veyatie was named after the loch.

Gallery

  • Images of Veyatie and surrounding areas
  • Bay below Creagan Mòr, Loch Veyatie. This sheltered bay was most welcome by a group of anglers on a rather windy day. At the inner end of the bay is the small beach
    Bay below Creagan Mòr, Loch Veyatie. This sheltered bay was most welcome by a group of anglers on a rather windy day. At the inner end of the bay is the small beach
  • Cul Mor from a boat on Loch Veyatie
    Cul Mor from a boat on Loch Veyatie
  • Far eastern end of Uidh Fhearna looking eastback down the side of Loch Veyatie The 'shore' of the loch here was fairly flat before narrowing down towards Uidh Fhearna
    Far eastern end of Uidh Fhearna looking eastback down the side of Loch Veyatie The 'shore' of the loch here was fairly flat before narrowing down towards Uidh Fhearna
  • Unnamed micro island on Loch Veyatie
    Unnamed micro island on Loch Veyatie
  • Loch shallows
    Loch shallows
  • View of Loch Veyatie with Cul Mòr in the distance. Note the manmade dock.
    View of Loch Veyatie with Cul Mòr in the distance. Note the manmade dock.
  • Loch Veyatie, north shore. Less appealing than the beach a few hundred metres to the east.
    Loch Veyatie, north shore. Less appealing than the beach a few hundred metres to the east.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Lochs of the Kirkaig Basin - Loch Veyatie. National Library of Scotland Maps: Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. 1897–1909. p. 163. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d "Loch Veyatie". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909". Maps. The national library of Scotland. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  5. ^ "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  6. ^ Microsoft; Nokia (25 November 2017). "Loch Veyatie" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

External links

  • Angling in Assynt A Guide for Visitors