Loch Kernsary
| Loch Kernsary | |
|---|---|
 Looking down Loch Kernsary | |
  Loch Kernsary Location in Wester Ross | |
| Location | NG88358018 |
| Coordinates | 57°45′38″N 5°33′30″W / 57.760624°N 5.558404°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 2.0 km (1.2 mi)[1] |
| Max. width | 1.09 km (0.68 mi)[1] |
| Surface area | 93 ha (230 acres)[2] |
| Average depth | 38.05 ft (11.60 m)[1] |
| Max. depth | 92.8 ft (28.3 m)[1] |
| Water volume | 380,752,177 cu ft (10,781,701.0 m3)[1] |
| Shore length1 | 10 km (6.2 mi) [2] |
| Surface elevation | 23 m (75 ft)[2] |
| Max. temperature | 57 °F (14 °C) |
| Min. temperature | 50.2 °F (10.1 °C) at 40 feet[1] |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Loch Kernsary also known as Loch na h-Airde Bige is a small remote shallow low-altitude freshwater loch, located directly southeast of Poolewe in Kinlochewe, Wester Ross.[1][2] It is fed by the river Coulin from the south and its outflow is into Loch Clair in the north-west. The Kernsary River drains into the loch from the south and in turn is drained through a tiny lochan Loch Poll Uidge à Chrò. The Lochan drains into the Inveran River, that drains a short distance into Loch Maree directly to the south-east.
Site of scientific interest
[edit]Loch Kernsary is a part of a group of eleven other freshwater lochs in the Wester Ross area that are considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[3] The eleven other lochs, all located to the north-west of Kinlochewe are: Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich, Lochan Dubh Druim na h-Airdhe, Loch Fada, Loch na Moine Buige, Fionn Loch, Loch na h-Uidhe, Lochan Beannach Mor, Lochan Beannach Beag, Loch a’ Mhadaidh Mor, Loch Garbhaig and Loch an Sgeireach.[3] These 12 lochs support a nationally important flock of Black-throated loon, also known as the black-throated diver (Gavia arctica).[3] Together they are part of the Wester Ross Lochs Special Protection Area which is considered of European importance.[3]
Crannog
[edit]On the south shore of Loch Kernsary on the small Àird Mhòr peninsula, there is the remains of a crannog, located some 10 metres from the shore and separated from the shore by a deep channel.[4][5] The small flat island that is now covered with conifer trees, measures 30 metres on a north-south bearing by 23 metres on a east-west bearing.[4]
About 20metres south-west of the crannog on land, is the remains of the boat-shaped building, hidden in the heather, measuring some 10metres by 5 metres.[4] The walls measure 1.2 metres wife and 0.7 metres in height.[4] The rough nature of the building design and the use of two rough orthostats at the entrance indicate that the building was built in the same period as the crannog.[4]
Geography
[edit]Walking
[edit]Loch Kernsary is the location of an almost level hiking route known as the Loch Kernsary Circular, that starts in Poolwee and follows the north coast of the Loch Kernsary , before making wide a circular walk back to the town and is about 12.2 km long.[6]
Gallery
[edit]-
Loch Kernsary - Poolewe Circular Walk -
The western arm of the loch -
The view is taken looking South. Torridon in the background. -
Loch Kernsary looking towards the Fisherfield forest -
Looking along the length of the loch. -
Moonrise over the loch -
Forrested crannog
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Ewe Basin Volume II – Loch Kernsary. p. 226.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d "Loch Kernsary". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Wester Ross Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest Site Managament Statement". Scottish Natural Heritage. Great Glen House, Inverness: NatureScot. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Loch Kernsary". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Alston, David (1999). Ross and Cromarty: A Historical Guide. Edinburgh: Birlinn. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-874744-48-1. LCCN 98193598.
- ^ "Loch Kernsary Circular". Open Street Maps Routes. All Trains. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
