Loch Kirkaig

Loch Kirkaig is a small tidal sea loch, located in the region and parish of Assynt in south-west of Sutherland, in the west coast of Scotland and in the Scottish Highlands.[1] Loch Kirkaig is 1.25 miles south of Loch Inver. The scattered crofting township of Inverkirkaig is located at the headland of the bay, next to the pebbly beach, on the round bay, which has no known name.[2] The name Kirgaig comes from old Norse, Kirkju-vik meaning church bay, perhaps suggesting that in Viking times, there was a church, with a village located in the bay.[3]

Loch Kirkaig
Looking down the length of Loch Kirkaig with the tiny twin islets of Sgeir Mhòr visible in the distance.
Loch Kirkaig is located in Sutherland
Loch Kirkaig
Loch Kirkaig
LocationSutherland, Scotland
Coordinates58.126347°N 5.289161°W / 58.126347; -5.289161
River sourcesRiver Kirkaig
Ocean/sea sourcesAtlantic Ocean
Basin countriesScotland
Max. length2.15 km (1.34 mi)
Max. width1.95 km (1.21 mi)
Average depth20 metres (66 ft)
SettlementsInverkirkaig

Settlements

Inverkirkaig lies at the head of the sea loch, surrounding a small sand and pebble beach. The principal settlement in the area is the village of Lochinver in Assynt, which is located 2 km northwest of the beach, along the unnamed coast road.

Geography

Loch Kirkaig is bounded by Kirkaig point in the north, and Ribha na Brèige point.

Loch Kirkaig is fed by the River Kirkaig, which drains the lochs of Fionn Loch, Loch Veyatie, Cam Loch Loch á Chapuil, and indirectly Loch nan Ràc, Loch Borralan and Loch Urigill. Travelling in a southeasterly direction along the River Kirkaig through a wooded glen, is the natural wonder and tourist attraction, the 20m Falls of Kirkaig.[4]

The small island of Sgeir Mhòr is located close to the southern coast of the bay.

See also

References

  1. Microsoft; Nokia (22 November 2017). "Enard Bay" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  2. "Kirkaig, Loch". The Editors of The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  3. "Inverkirkaig". Undiscovered Scotland. Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  4. "Kirkaig Falls". Discover Assynt. Assynt Tourism Group. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
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