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Coordinates: 57°40′35″N 5°40′40″W / 57.676277°N 5.677818°W / 57.676277; -5.677818
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{{Short description|Small group of freshwater lochs}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

[[Image:Fairy Lochs 1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Fairy Lochs]]The '''Fairy Lochs''' are a small group of [[Loch|lochans]] approximately 2 miles (3 km) SE of the village of [[Badachro]] near [[Gairloch]] in [[Wester Ross]], Scotland.
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Fairy Lochs
⚫
|image = Fairy Lochs 1.jpg
|caption = Fairy Lochs/ Lochan Sgeireach
|location = [[Wester Ross]], [[Scottish Highlands]]
| coords = {{coord|source:wikidata}}
|pushpin_map = Scotland
}}

The '''Fairy Lochs''' is a recent English name for ''Na Lochan Sgeireach'' and are a small group of freshwater [[loch]]ans approximately {{convert|2|mi|abbr=on}} south-east of the village of [[Badachro]], near [[Gairloch]] in [[Wester Ross]], [[Scottish Highlands]]. The lochans have become known as the 'Fairy Lochs' due to their proximity to 'Sìthean Mòr' which translates as 'Big Fairy Hill'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/TBI/TBIIssue6/Sith.html|title=Gaelic Place Names: sìth and sìthean|last=Grant|first=Alison|website=www.arts.gla.ac.uk|access-date=2016-12-16}}</ref>


The lochans are close to Loch Bràigh Horrisdale, which flows into the Badachro River ([[Scots Gaelic]]: ''Abhainn Bad a' Chrodha''). There are several large waterfalls in the area, and the hill of Sìdhean Mor overlooks the Fairy Lochs and the bay of [[Loch Gairloch]].
The lochans are close to [[Loch Bràigh Horrisdale]], which flows into the Badachro River ({{lang-gd|Abhainn Bad a' Chrodha}}). There are several large waterfalls in the area, and Sìthean Mor overlooks the Lochan Sgeireach and the bay of [[Loch Gairloch]].


The lochs are remote and are accessed over farmland and along paths through marshy ground.
The lochs are remote and are accessed over farmland and along paths through marshy ground.
{{clear}}
{{Clear}}

== USAAF Liberator crash memorial ==
== USAAF Liberator crash memorial ==
{{Infobox Military Memorial
{{Infobox military memorial
|name=USAAF 42-95095 crash site, Fairy Lochs
|name=USAAF 42-95095 crash site, Fairy Lochs
|country=[[Scotland]], United Kingdom
|country=[[Scotland]], United Kingdom
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|nearest_town=[[Badachro]], [[Wester Ross]]
|nearest_town=[[Badachro]], [[Wester Ross]]
|designer=
|designer=
|inscription=<small>IN MEMORY OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS OF A B-24-H LIBERATOR BOMBER, SERIAL NO. 42-95095, WHICH BECAME LOST WHILE RETURNING TO THE U.S.A. ON JUNE 13th, 1945, AND CRASHED AT THIS PLACE WITH THE LOSS OF ALL ON BOARD.</small>
|inscription=<small>IN MEMORY OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS OF A B-24-H LIBERATOR BOMBER, SERIAL NO. 42-95095, WHICH BECAME LOST WHILE RETURNING TO THE U.S.A. ON JUNE 13TH, 1945, AND CRASHED AT THIS PLACE WITH THE LOSS OF ALL ON BOARD.</small>
}}
}}
Although small and remote, the Fairy Lochs are notable as the crash site of an American [[World War II]] bomber. On 13 June 1945, a [[USAAF]] [[B-24 Liberator]] bomber (serial 42-95095, based at the [[Warton Aerodrome]]) was returning home to the USA from [[Prestwick Airport|Prestwick Airfield]] at the end of World War II.
Although small and remote, the Fairy Lochs are notable as the crash site of an American [[World War II]] bomber. On 13 June 1945, a [[USAAF]] [[B-24 Liberator]] bomber (serial 42-95095, based at the [[Warton Aerodrome]]) was returning to the US from [[Prestwick Airport|Prestwick Airfield]] at the end of World War II.


The crew of nine was from 66th Bomber Squadron; also on board were six crewmen from [[Air Transport Command]].
On board were a crew of nine from the 66th Bomber Squadron and six passengers from the [[Air Transport Command (United States Air Force)|Air Transport Command]].


Its route via [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavík]] (Meeks Field) in Iceland should have taken it over [[Stornoway]] in the Western Isles, but for an unknown reason the aircraft instead flew over the Scottish mainland. Over Wester Ross the aircraft began to lose height, and struck the summit of [[Slioch]], a 980m mountain overlooking [[Loch Maree]], losing parts of its bomb bay doors, before flying on towards Gairloch. An attempted crash-landing resulted in the B-24 colliding with rocks and crashing into the Fairy Lochs, scattering wreckage over a wide area. All 15 crew and passengers on board perished in the accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm|title=B-24H Liberator 42-95095|publisher=Air Crash Sites Scotland|accessdate=12 October 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>[[:image:Fairy Lochs Air Crash Memorial.JPG|Memorial Plaque]] erected at the crash site.</ref>
The aircraft's planned route to [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavík]] (Meeks Field) in [[Iceland]] should have taken it over [[Stornoway]] in the [[Outer Hebrides]], however, for reasons unknown, the aircraft flew instead over the Scottish mainland. Over [[Wester Ross]] the aircraft began to lose height and struck the summit of [[Slioch]] ({{Convert|980|m|ft|abbr=off}}), losing parts of its [[bomb bay]] doors, before flying on towards Gairloch. An attempted crash-landing resulted in the aircraft colliding with rocks and crashing into the Fairy Lochs, scattering wreckage over a wide area. All 15 crew and passengers on board perished in the accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm |title=B-24H Liberator 42-95095 |publisher=Air Crash Sites Scotland |access-date=12 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815053836/http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm |archive-date=15 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>[[:image:Fairy Lochs Air Crash Memorial.JPG|Memorial Plaque]] erected at the crash site.</ref>


[[Image:Fairy Lochs Air Crash Memorial.JPG|thumb|150px|left|Memorial Plaque]]
[[Image:Fairy Lochs Air Crash Memorial.JPG|thumb|150px|left|Memorial Plaque]]
Today most of the wreckage remains where it fell; pieces of fuselage litter the marshes, and a propellor and an engine can be seen protruding from the lochan. The area is now classed as a [[war grave]]. Visitors are expected not to disturb the remnants of the wreckage. A memorial plaque, listing those lost, has been erected by the families and friends of those killed. (see left)
Today much of the wreckage remains where the plane crashed. Pieces of fuselage lie in the [[bog]]s and a propeller and an engine can be seen protruding from the lochan. The area is classed as a [[war grave]] and visitors are expected not to disturb the wreckage. A memorial plaque, listing those who died, was erected by the families and friends of those killed.


The loss of the USAAF 42-95095 was not unique in this region, as other accidents involving military aircraft have taken place nearby. In 1951, a [[Avro Lancaster]] crashed on [[Beinn Eighe]], a mountain near Slioch on the opposite shore of Loch Maree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm|title= 683 Lancaster G.R.III TX264|publisher=Air Crash Sites Scotland|accessdate=12 October 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
The loss of the USAAF 42-95095 was not unique in this region, as other accidents involving military aircraft have taken place nearby. In 1951, an [[Avro Lancaster]] crashed on [[Beinn Eighe]], a mountain near Slioch on the opposite shore of Loch Maree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm |title=683 Lancaster G.R.III TX264 |publisher=Air Crash Sites Scotland |access-date=12 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815053836/http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/lib_b-24h_gairloch.htm |archive-date=15 August 2009 }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/liberator_b-24h_gairloch.htm The B-24H Liberator 42-95095] on Air Crash Sites Scotland
*[http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/liberator_b-24h_gairloch.htm The B-24H Liberator 42-95095] on Air Crash Sites Scotland
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxOFE7MqOE The Fairy Lochs War Grave – Gairloch] – video footage of the war grave
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxOFE7MqOE The Fairy Lochs War Grave – Gairloch] – video footage of the war grave


⚫
[[Category:1945 in military history]]
⚫
[[Category:1945 in Scotland]]
[[Category:1945 in the United States]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1945]]
[[Category:June 1945 events in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents locations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Lochs of Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Lochs of Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:World War II memorials in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II memorials in Scotland]]
⚫
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Scotland]]
⚫
[[Category:British military memorials and cemeteries]]
[[Category:Military monuments and memorials in the United States]]
[[Category:Military monuments and memorials in the United States]]
[[Category:Ross and Cromarty]]
[[Category:Ross and Cromarty]]
[[Category:1945 in Scotland]]
[[Category:20th-century history of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:History of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Freshwater lochs of Scotland]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Scotland]]

[[Category:United States Army Air Forces]]
⚫
[[nn:Fairy Lochs]]

Latest revision as of 13:50, 24 July 2023

Fairy Lochs
Fairy Lochs/ Lochan Sgeireach
Fairy Lochs is located in Scotland
Fairy Lochs
Fairy Lochs
LocationWester Ross, Scottish Highlands
Coordinates57°40′35″N 5°40′40″W / 57.6763°N 5.6778°W / 57.6763; -5.6778

The Fairy Lochs is a recent English name for Na Lochan Sgeireach and are a small group of freshwater lochans approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) south-east of the village of Badachro, near Gairloch in Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands. The lochans have become known as the 'Fairy Lochs' due to their proximity to 'Sìthean Mòr' which translates as 'Big Fairy Hill'.[1]

The lochans are close to Loch Bràigh Horrisdale, which flows into the Badachro River (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Bad a' Chrodha). There are several large waterfalls in the area, and Sìthean Mor overlooks the Lochan Sgeireach and the bay of Loch Gairloch.

The lochs are remote and are accessed over farmland and along paths through marshy ground.

USAAF Liberator crash memorial[edit]

USAAF 42-95095 crash site, Fairy Lochs
Scotland, United Kingdom
Aircraft wreckage arranged to form a simple memorial
For The crew & passengers of USAAF 42-95095, lost in an air crash on 13 June 1945,
Location57°40′35″N 5°40′40″W / 57.676277°N 5.677818°W / 57.676277; -5.677818
near 
Badachro, Wester Ross
IN MEMORY OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS OF A B-24-H LIBERATOR BOMBER, SERIAL NO. 42-95095, WHICH BECAME LOST WHILE RETURNING TO THE U.S.A. ON JUNE 13TH, 1945, AND CRASHED AT THIS PLACE WITH THE LOSS OF ALL ON BOARD.

Although small and remote, the Fairy Lochs are notable as the crash site of an American World War II bomber. On 13 June 1945, a USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber (serial 42-95095, based at the Warton Aerodrome) was returning to the US from Prestwick Airfield at the end of World War II.

On board were a crew of nine from the 66th Bomber Squadron and six passengers from the Air Transport Command.

The aircraft's planned route to Keflavík (Meeks Field) in Iceland should have taken it over Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, however, for reasons unknown, the aircraft flew instead over the Scottish mainland. Over Wester Ross the aircraft began to lose height and struck the summit of Slioch (980 metres (3,220 feet)), losing parts of its bomb bay doors, before flying on towards Gairloch. An attempted crash-landing resulted in the aircraft colliding with rocks and crashing into the Fairy Lochs, scattering wreckage over a wide area. All 15 crew and passengers on board perished in the accident.[2][3]

Memorial Plaque

Today much of the wreckage remains where the plane crashed. Pieces of fuselage lie in the bogs and a propeller and an engine can be seen protruding from the lochan. The area is classed as a war grave and visitors are expected not to disturb the wreckage. A memorial plaque, listing those who died, was erected by the families and friends of those killed.

The loss of the USAAF 42-95095 was not unique in this region, as other accidents involving military aircraft have taken place nearby. In 1951, an Avro Lancaster crashed on Beinn Eighe, a mountain near Slioch on the opposite shore of Loch Maree.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Grant, Alison. "Gaelic Place Names: sìth and sìthean". www.arts.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  2. ^ "B-24H Liberator 42-95095". Air Crash Sites Scotland. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  3. ^ Memorial Plaque erected at the crash site.
  4. ^ "683 Lancaster G.R.III TX264". Air Crash Sites Scotland. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fairy Lochs.
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