Loch Lurgainn

Loch Lurgainn is a large remote and deep freshwater loch with a crescent shape with its concave side turned to the south.[1] It is located in the Coigach peninsula[3] in Lochbroom, Wester Ross.[1][2] Loch Lurgainn is located 8 miles north of Ullapool[4] and two miles south of Loch Sionascaig and is 3.5 miles southeast of Enard Bay.[1] The scenic qualities of Coigach, along with neighbouring Assynt, have led to the area being designated as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area,[5] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[6] The main settlement in the area, located directly to the north-west is Achiltibuie.[3]

Loch Lurgainn
Loch Lurgainn
Loch Lurgainn is located in Sutherland
Loch Lurgainn
Loch Lurgainn
Location in Wester Ross
LocationNC11130889
Coordinates58.0214°N 5.1760°W / 58.0214; -5.1760
Typefreshwater loch
Max. length4.8 km (3.0 mi)[1]
Max. width1.6 km (0.99 mi)[1]
Surface area322 ha (800 acres)[2]
Average depth61 ft (19 m)[1]
Max. depth155 ft (47 m)[1]
Water volume16,237,602,958 cu ft (459,797,712.0 m3)[1]
Shore length119 km (12 mi) [2]
Surface elevation56 m (184 ft)[2]
Max. temperature56.1 °F (13.4 °C)
Min. temperature50.3 °F (10.2 °C)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Geography

Loch Lurgainn is one of three lochs that extend on generally western direction[7] and drains the loch in Enard Bay. The first of these is Loch Bad na h-Achlaise, a small lochan that drains into Loch Bad a' Ghaill in turn into the large Loch Osgaig, which drains through an unnamed river into the small Garvie Bay. To the north of Loch Lurgainn is the large loch of Loch Sionascaig.

The three lochs are contained in a long valley that is bounded by a series of peaks consisting of large hills and mountains with associated ridges. At the western edge of the loch is the mountain Cùl Beag at 769 m. At the southern, flanking the loch is Sgòrr Tuath, a hill at 587.5m. Moving west along the loch at its mid-section, and to the north is the mountain of Stac Pollaidh. As you move towards the sea, there is a ridge to the south with the small peak of Meall Doire an t-Sidhein at 181m, that gets progressively shallower as you approach Enard Bay.

Fishing and walking

Loch Lurgainn at four miles long, has excellent fishing, but is infrequently fished.[7] Due to its exposed position and strong currents, a good boat with a strong engine is recommended. Wearing of a Lifejacket is recommended.[7] Trout that weigh more than 5lb's have been landed.[7] The best flies are Black Pennel, Greenwells Glory and Dunkeld.[7]

Loch Lurgain has a large number of well established walks of different grades.[8]

References
  1. John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Polly Basin Volume II – Loch Lurgainn. p. 172. Retrieved 15 November 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Loch Sionascaig". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  3. Andrews, Robert (2004). The Rough Guide to Britain. Rough Guides. p. 1240. ISBN 978-1-84353-301-6.
  4. Gittings, Bruce; Munro, David. "Lurgainn". The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. "Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  7. Sandison, Bruce (1997). Trout & Salmon Rivers and Lochs of Scotland. Ludlow: Stackpole Books. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-873674-31-4.
  8. "Loch Lurgainn to Badrallach". Walkhighlands. Walkhighlands 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
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