Fionn Loch (Suilven)

Fionn Loch is a small irregular-shaped shallow freshwater loch, on a north-west to south-east orientation that is located 3 miles southeast of Lochinver[1][2][3] in the Assynt district of Sutherland in Scotland. The loch is located in an area known as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area,[4] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[5]

This article is about Fionn Loch in Sutherland. For the Fionn Loch east of Poolewe, see Fionn Loch.

Fionn Loch
Suilven reflected on Fionn Loch
Fionn Loch is located in Sutherland
Fionn Loch
Fionn Loch
Location in Sutherland
LocationNC13041741
Coordinates58.106291°N 5.173018°W / 58.106291; -5.173018
Typefreshwater loch
Primary inflowsUidh Fhearna from Loch Veyatie
Primary outflowsRiver Kirkaig
Max. length4.00 km (2.49 mi)[1]
Max. width0.48 km (0.30 mi)[1]
Surface area83 ha (210 acres)[2]
Average depth20.34 ft (6.20 m)[1]
Max. depth89.89 ft (27.40 m)[1]
Water volume182,731,116.7 cu ft (5,174,369.00 m3)[1]
Shore length112 km (7.5 mi) [2]
Surface elevation114 m (374 ft)[2]
Max. temperature53 °F (12 °C)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Geography

Fionn Loch is part of the Fionn Loch drainage system and is fed with water from River Ledbeg which drains Loch Urigill, due south-by-south east and Loch Borralan, to the east of Urigill.[6] Loch Veyatie directly south, drains through Uidh Fheàrna, a slow-moving channel into Fionn Loch.[6] The drainage system was once a large lake, Loch Suilven that is now made up of Cam Loch, Veyatie and Fionn Loch.[6] A vast number of lochs and lochans surround Fionn Loch, the biggest is the large irregular-shaped Loch Sionascaig along with Inverpolly Forest directly south.

Overlooking the loch to the north-west is the imposing hulk of the mountains of Suilven at 731 meters.[7] Almost directly south of the loch is Cùl Mòr at 849m and Drumrunie Forest. To the far north-west is Drumrunie Forest.

Walking

Fionn Loch is remote and can be reached from a route that starts from Inverkirkaig, this route reaches the bealach from the south, passing Kirkaig Falls on the way.[8]

  • Images of Fionn Loch
  • Fionn Loch looking towards Suilven.
    Fionn Loch looking towards Suilven.
  • Fionn Loch and Suilven Fionn Loch and the prominent hill of Suilven lie south east of the coastal village of Lochinver in the Assynt area
    Fionn Loch and Suilven Fionn Loch and the prominent hill of Suilven lie south east of the coastal village of Lochinver in the Assynt area
  • The start of the River Kirkaig The outflow from Fionn Loch where the River Kirkaig commences. Suilven can be seen in the distance.
    The start of the River Kirkaig The outflow from Fionn Loch where the River Kirkaig commences. Suilven can be seen in the distance.
  • Falls of Kirkaig
    Falls of Kirkaig

References
  1. John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Kirkaig Basin Volume II – Fionn Loch. p. 166. Retrieved 31 March 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Fionn Loch". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  3. Gittings, Bruce; Munro, David. "Fionn Loch". The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  4. "Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  5. "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. Yu, G.; Harrison, S.P. (May 1995). Lake Status Records From Europe: Data base Documentation. Paleoclimatology Publications Series Report No.3. Boulder, Colorado: NOAA Paleoclimatology Program. p. 262.
  7. "Amazing Images Explore Scotland's Great Wilderness". National Geographic. National Geographic Partners, LLC. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  8. "Walk of the week: Falls of Kirkaig and Fionn Loch, Sutherland". JPIMedia. The Scotsman. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
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