Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin

Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin (Anglicised as Loch Benevian) is a freshwater loch in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is one of several lochs in Glen Affric, a National Nature Reserve within Scotland's Caledonian Forest.[1]

Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin
Loch Benevian
Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin from its northern shore, with its namesake mountain, centre
Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin is located in Inverness area
Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin
Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin
LocationScottish Highlands
Coordinates57°16′45.3″N 4°55′51.4″W / 57.279250°N 4.930944°W / 57.279250; -4.930944
Primary inflowsAbhainn Gleann nam Fiadh, Allt an Laghair, Allt an Ruighe Dhuibh, Allt na h'Imrich, Garbh Uisge
Primary outflowsRiver Affric
Basin countriesScotland, United Kingdom
Max. length8.18 km (5.08 mi)
Max. width917 m (3,009 ft)
Surface elevation220 m (720 ft)
Islands7

The loch is named after the mountain on its northwest shore, Beinn a' Mheadhoin, which translates from Scottish Gaelic to "Middle Mountain".[2]

The Affric-Kintail Way runs along the loch's south shore.

In 2016, Scottish rewilding charity Trees for Life planted aspen along Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin's shores to support the reintroduction of beavers.[3]

The loch was partially expanded in the 1950s as part of the Affric-Beauly hydro-electric power scheme, drawing water from Loch Mullardoch to the north via a 5.5 km long tunnel.[4] To this end, the loch has a small dam at its east end, and its water levels are artificially controlled.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Loch Beinn a'Mheadhain - Forestry and Land Scotland". forestryandland.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ^ midasiak (2019-11-07). "The Gaelic origins of place names in Britain". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  3. ^ "Beavers – unique opportunity for the Scottish Highlands" (Press release). Trees for Life. 25 November 2016. ProQuest 1843059012.
  4. ^ "Loch Beinn A' Mheadhoin, Dam | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-22.