Loch of Skene

Loch of Skene is a large lowland, freshwater loch in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies approximately 1 mi (1.6 km) to the west of the village of Kirkton of Skene and 9 mi (14 km) west of Aberdeen.[6]

Loch of Skene
Loch Skene
Loch of Skene
Loch of Skene in 1999
Loch of Skene is located in Aberdeenshire
Loch of Skene
Loch of Skene
LocationAberdeenshire, Scotland
Coordinates57°9′27″N 2°21′25″W[1]
Typefreshwater artificial loch
Primary inflowsCorskie Burn[2]
Primary outflowsLeuchar Burn[3]
Basin countriesScotland
Max. length1 mi (1.6 km)[4]
Max. width0.66 mi (1.06 km)[4]
Surface area144.4 ha (357 acres)[1]
Average depth6 ft (1.8 m)[4]
Max. depth6 ft (1.8 m)[4]
Water volume60,000,000 cu ft (1,700,000 m3)[4]
Shore length14.4 km (2.7 mi)[1]
Surface elevation85 m (279 ft)[1]
Islands3[1]
Designated1 October 1986
Reference no.339[5]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The loch is partially man-made, being dammed at its outflow on the southern shore to form a reservoir. Before 1905, water from the loch was used in the making of tweed and to turn the mill wheel at the Garlogie Mills. When the mills closed in 1905 the water was used to generate electricity.[3][7] The loch is about 6 foot deep at its deepest.

Flora and fauna

The loch is designated as a Special Protection Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar site for wildlife conservation purposes.[8][9]

The loch supports concentrations of wildfowl in autumn and winter in particular greylag geese, goldeneye ducks and pink-footed geese. Common gulls are also found on the loch.

Reedbed and a birch and willow carr fringe the loch perimeter.

Pike are found in the loch and a permit is required for fishing.[7]

Recreation

The Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club is based at the loch. [10]

Survey

The loch was surveyed[4] on 17 July 1905 by T.N. Johnston and L.W. Collett and later charted [11] as part of the Sir John Murray's Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909.

References
  1. "Loch of Skene". British lakes. British Lakes. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. "Dee catchment, NE Scotland". REFRESH. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. "Garlogie Mill, Garlogie Dam". Canmore. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  4. "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909, Lochs of the Dee (Aberdeen) Basin". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. "Loch of Skene". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  6. Gazetteer for Scotland. "Skene, Loch of". Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. "Domesday Reloaded". BBC. 1986. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. JNCC. "Special Protection Area designation". Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  9. "Citation - Loch of Skene Site of Special Scientific Interest". Registrars of Scotland. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  10. "ASYC Location". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  11. "Loch of Skene; Loch Callater; Loch of Aboyne (Vol. 5, Plate 52) - Bathymetrical Survey, 1897-1909 - National Library of Scotland". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
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