Loch Maree
Loch Maree | |
---|---|
Location | Northwest Highlands, Scotland |
Coordinates | 57°41′23″N 5°27′27″W / 57.68972°N 5.45750°W |
Catchment area | Beinn Eighe, Slioch, Fisherfield, Glen Docherty, Coulin, Slattadale, Talladale |
Basin countries | Scotland |
Max. length | 21.66 km (13.46 mi)[1] |
Max. width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
Surface area | 28.7 km2 (11.08 sq mi)[2] |
Average depth | 38 m (125 ft)[3] |
Max. depth | 112 m (367 ft)[4] |
Water volume | 1.09 km3 (38.5×10 9 cu ft)[5] |
Islands | 60 |
Designated | 19 September 1994 |
Reference no. | 700[6] |
Loch Maree (
Loch Maree contains five large wooded islands and over 60 smaller ones,
The loch is important for wildlife. It is the site of one of the largest breeding concentrations of
Geography
Loch Maree is much longer than it is wide, stretching along a northwest-southeast axis. The outflow is via the short River Ewe, through which water enters the sea loch of Loch Ewe, close to the village of Poolewe; the village of Kinlochewe lies at the head of the loch at the southeastern end. The A832 road between the two runs along much of the southwestern shore of the loch, but diverges from it in the north to run via Gairloch, along the coast from Poolewe.[10]
Loch Maree is divided into three main basins, and has many islands: the ratio of the area of the islands to the area of the surface water is greater than any other large loch in Scotland.[15] The deepest of the basins, at 112 m (367 ft), is known as the Grudie Basin, and lies between Isle Maree and the head of the loch. To the northwest of this basin lies the Slattadale Basin, which contains the majority of the islands. North of the islands lies a shallower area, separating the Slattadale Basin from the Ardlair Basin, the most irregularly shaped of the three.[13]
The most prominent mountain on the northern side of Loch Maree is
History
Between 671 and 722 Máel Ruba arrived at Loch Maree, and founded a chapel on Isle Maree. Remains of this chapel were reportedly still visible in 1861 but no traces now remain, although the burial ground associated with the chapel is still extant. A small covered well on the island is said to have been consecrated by the saint.[12]
During the middle ages the island of Eilean Ghrùididh on Loch Maree was a centre for the MacBeaths; in or shortly after 1430 the MacBeaths were displaced by Clan MacLeod. Investigation of the island in 1965 found a fortified area measuring 44 by 36 metres with walls 1 m thick and 2 m high, with a 1.8 m deep dungeon in the southeast corner. No buildings were found within the fortifications.[22]
Due to its remote location there is now little industry surrounding Loch Maree, however the area was formerly a centre for ironworking. During the seventeenth century up to 8 hectares of oak woodlands a day were turned into charcoal to fuel the smelting of bog iron at Letterewe on the northeast shore.[13] Workmen from these iron furnaces are said to have been buried on Isle Maree.[12] Remains of one iron furnace can be seen at a site known as the Red Smiddy on the northeast bank of the River Ewe between the outflow from the loch and Poolewe. Pieces of ore, slag and iron have been found at this site.[23]
The loch became a popular spot for trout fishing after Queen Victoria visited the Loch Maree Hotel at Talladale in 1877,[24] a visit which led to the naming of Victoria Falls, an attractive waterfall in the vicinity of the hotel.[25] In 1893, there was a proposal to build a branch railway from Achnasheen to Aultbea along the south shore of Loch Maree. The railway would have increased Victorian tourist traffic, as well as providing a service for fisheries and the mail and a connection to Stornoway, however the plan was later abandoned.[26]
Ecology
Loch Maree is of international importance for its special wildlife and biodiversity, and is the site of one of the largest breeding concentrations of
Sea trout and
The islands of Loch Maree are wooded, being the location of some of the best native
Conservation designations
Loch Maree Islands National Nature Reserve | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[34] | |
Location | Wester Ross, Scotland |
Coordinates | 57°41′38″N 5°30′32″W / 57.694°N 5.509°W |
Area | 200 ha[35] |
Established | 1977[34] |
Governing body | NatureScot |
Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree Islands National Nature Reserve |
The presence of black-throated divers on the loch has led to it being designated as
Over 60 islands within the loch are designated as the Loch Maree Islands
Loch Maree is classified as a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature,[34] and has been designated as a Ramsar site since 19 September 1994.[40] It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),[14] and lies within the Wester Ross national scenic area.[41]
In media
Button-box accordionist, Fergie MacDonald topped the Scottish pop charts in 1966 with the tune "Loch Maree Islands"[42] which pays tribute to the views of the loch, and vocal versions have been recorded by many artists over the years, notably Calum Kennedy. More recently a version of the song was included on Peat and Diesel's 2019 album Uptown Fank.[43]
In the 2009-10 series of the
Loch Maree and its islands, including Isle Maree, Juniper and Rough Islands are the setting of Oscar de Muriel's 2018 historical-crime novel Loch of the Dead, the fourth book in his Frey & McGray series.[46]
Loch Maree is mentioned in the Runrig song "The Summer Walkers" from the album The Stamping Ground.[47]
- And it's up by the Shin
- And up by the 'Naver
- And the long winding shores Of Loch Maree
- By Ben Hope and Ben Loyal
- Stack and by Arkle
- The road reaches far
- Now the summer is here
Folklore
Thomas Pennant, writing in 1772, recorded that the waters of the loch were thought to have curative effects, with being submerged in the water thought to be a cure for lunacy.[13]
Isle Maree holds an oak wish tree made famous by a visit in 1877 by Queen Victoria mentioned in her published diaries. The tree, and others surrounding it, are festooned with hammered-in coins. It is near the healing well of St. Máel Rubha, to which votive offerings were made, including the sacrifice of bulls, which continued up to the 18th century, according to records,[48] leading to speculation that the island was a place of pre-Christian pagan worship which was taken over by the saint.[12] The same island contains ancient stands of oak and holly which have been linked with ancient Scottish druids.[citation needed]
Like Loch Ness, Loch Maree has its own
See also
- SS Mabel, a small passenger steamer operating on the loch between 1883 and 1911.
References
- ^ a b Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume I, Table 1.
- ^ a b Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume I, Table 2.
- ^ Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume I, Table 4.
- ^ Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume I, Table 3.
- ^ Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume I, Table 5.
- ^ "Loch Maree". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Database - Loch Maree". Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Loch Maree Islands - Scotland's National Nature Reserves". Nnr-scotland.org.uk. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Loch Maree Wester Ross – Scotland Info Guide". Scotlandinfo.eu. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ a b Ordnance Survey. 1:25000 Explorer map. Sheet 433, Torridon - Beinn Eighe & Liathach.
- ^ "Country diary: Loch Maree, Highlands: Wild winds in an ancient woodland". the Guardian. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d Historic Environment Scotland. "Isle Mare (12049)". Canmore.
- ^ ISBN 978-0094632707.
- ^ a b c d e "Loch Maree SSSI Citation". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. Volume II, Page 211.
- ISBN 9780907521945.
- ISBN 9780907521716.
- ^ "Property Page: Letterewe, Heights of Kinlochewe & Tournaig". Who Owns Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ISBN 9780907521945.
- ^ "Property Page: Grudie & Talladale". Who Owns Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Property Page: Gairloch (Flowerdale & Shieldaig) & Conon". Who Owns Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Eilean Ghruididh (12046)". Canmore.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Red Smiddy Iron Works (11940)". Canmore.
- ^ Unattributed (3 September 1879). "A Highland Loch". The Times. No. 29663. p. 6.
- ^ Black's Guide to Scotland. Published by Adam & Charles Black, London. 1903. p. 466.
- ISBN 978-0859766241.
- S2CID 84699503.
- ^ "Loch Maree Hotel: The best in Western Scotland". Malcolm Mowat's. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ "Wester Ross Fisheries Trust: Sea Trout". Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ISSN 0024-4066.
- ^ "The Story of Beinn Eighe and Loch Mare Islands National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2008. p. 5. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ "The Story of Beinn Eighe and Loch Mare Islands National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2008. p. 2. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ "The Story of Beinn Eighe and Loch Mare Islands National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2008. p. 14. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Loch Maree Islands". Protected Planet. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Site Details for Loch Maree Islands NNR". NatureScot. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Site Details for Loch Maree SPA". NatureScot. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Site Details for Loch Maree SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "The Management Plan for Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree Islands NNR 2015-2025" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2018. p. 3. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application" (PDF). Wester Ross Biosphere Ltd. September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Loch Maree". Ramsar Sites Information Service. 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "Wester Ross NSA". NatureScot. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Fergie MacDonald - Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame". Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
- ^ "Albums". Peat and Diesel. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- Two Lochs Radio, 27 November 2009.
- ^ "Natural World (2009-10), Episode 6: A Highland Haven". BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ^ "Loch of the Dead - Book by Oscar de Muriel". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "The Stamping Ground Lyrics". Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ISBN 1-85079-315-8. P. 149.
Sources
- "The Story of Beinn Eighe and Loch Mare Islands National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- John Murray; Laurence Pullar (1909). "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2018.