Loch Kernsary also known as Loch na h-Airde Bige is a small remote shallow low-altitude freshwater loch, located directly southeast of Poolewe in Kinlochewe, Wester Ross.[1][2] It is fed by the river Coulin from the south and its outflow is into Loch Clair in the north-west. The Kernsary River drains into the loch from the south and in turn is drained through a tiny lochan Loch Poll Uidge à Chrò. The Lochan drains into the Inveran River, that drains a short distance into Loch Maree directly to the south-east.
| Loch Kernsary | |
|---|---|
 Looking down Loch Kernsary | |
  Loch Kernsary Location in Wester Ross | |
| Location | NG88358018 |
| Coordinates | 57°45′38″N 5°33′30″W / 57.760624°N 5.558404°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 2.0 km (1.2 mi)[1] |
| Max. width | 1.09 km (0.68 mi)[1] |
| Surface area | 93 ha (230 acres)[2] |
| Average depth | 38.05 ft (11.60 m)[1] |
| Max. depth | 92.8 ft (28.3 m)[1] |
| Water volume | 380,752,177 cu ft (10,781,701.0 m3)[1] |
| Shore length1 | 10 km (6.2 mi) [2] |
| Surface elevation | 23 m (75 ft)[2] |
| Max. temperature | 57 °F (14 °C) |
| Min. temperature | 50.2 °F (10.1 °C) at 40 feet[1] |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Site of scientific interest
editLoch Kernsary is a part of a group of eleven other freshwater lochs in the Wester Ross area that are considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[3] The eleven other lochs, all located to the north-west of Kinlochewe are: Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich, Lochan Dubh Druim na h-Airdhe, Loch Fada, Loch na Moine Buige, Fionn Loch, Loch na h-Uidhe, Lochan Beannach Mor, Lochan Beannach Beag, Loch a’ Mhadaidh Mor, Loch Garbhaig and Loch an Sgeireach.[3] These 12 lochs support a nationally important flock of Black-throated loon, also known as the black-throated diver (Gavia arctica).[3] Together they are part of the Wester Ross Lochs Special Protection Area which is considered of European importance.[3]
Crannog
editOn the south shore of Loch Kernsary on the small Àird Mhòr peninsula, there is the remains of a crannog, located some 10 metres from the shore and separated from the shore by a deep channel.[4][5] The small flat island that is now covered with conifer trees, measures 30 metres on a north-south bearing by 23 metres on a east-west bearing.[4]
About 20metres south-west of the crannog on land, is the remains of the boat-shaped building, hidden in the heather, measuring some 10metres by 5 metres.[4] The walls measure 1.2 metres wife and 0.7 metres in height.[4] The rough nature of the building design and the use of two rough orthostats at the entrance indicate that the building was built in the same period as the crannog.[4]
Geography
editWalking
editLoch Kernsary is the location of an almost level hiking route known as the Loch Kernsary Circular, that starts in Poolwee and follows the north coast of the Loch Kernsary , before making wide a circular walk back to the town and is about 12.2 km long.[6]
Gallery
edit-
Loch Kernsary - Poolewe Circular Walk -
The western arm of the loch -
The view is taken looking South. Torridon in the background. -
Loch Kernsary looking towards the Fisherfield forest -
Looking along the length of the loch. -
Moonrise over the loch -
Forrested crannog
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References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909 Lochs of the Ewe Basin Volume II – Loch Kernsary. p. 226.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d "Loch Kernsary". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Wester Ross Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest Site Managament Statement". Scottish Natural Heritage. Great Glen House, Inverness: NatureScot. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Loch Kernsary". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Alston, David (1999). Ross and Cromarty: A Historical Guide. Edinburgh: Birlinn. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-874744-48-1. LCCN 98193598.
- ^ "Loch Kernsary Circular". Open Street Maps Routes. All Trains. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
