Loch Rannoch
Loch Rannoch | ||
---|---|---|
Loch Rannoch, in the foreground Kinloch Rannoch | ||
Geographical location | Perth and Kinross , Scotland | |
Tributaries | Ericht (from Loch Ericht ), Gaur | |
Drain | Tummel → Tay → Firth of Tay → North Sea | |
Places on the shore | Kinloch Rannoch | |
Data | ||
Coordinates | 56 ° 41 ′ N , 4 ° 19 ′ W | |
|
||
surface | 16 km² | |
length | 16 km | |
width | 1 km | |
volume | 1 km³ | |
Maximum depth | 134 m | |
Middle deep | 51 m |
Loch Rannoch ( Scottish Gaelic : Loch Raineach ) is a dammed freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands . It is located in the Council Area Perth and Kinross about 30 km west of Pitlochry .
Loch Rannoch has the typical elongated shape of a lake created by glaciers in the Ice Age . It is about 16 km long, but only about a kilometer wide. The water volume covers about 1 km³. The greatest depth of the lake is 134 m; the average depth is 51 m. Measured by the size of the water surface of 16 km² Loch Rannoch is the ninth largest lake in Scotland.
Loch Rannoch is part of the Tummel Hydro-Electric Power Scheme . In the west, the lake absorbs the water via the Ericht River , which, derived from Loch Ericht , has flowed through a hydroelectric power station located near the shore. Also in the West at Bridge of Gaur the river meets Gaur , the Loch Rannoch with water from Loch Laidon and hole Eigheach feeds. In the east, Loch Rannoch drains into the river Tummel , whose source it is, at the small settlement Kinloch Rannoch . Loch Rannoch is easily accessible by car via the B846.
In the western part of the lake there is an artificial island called a crannog . Loch Rannoch is popular with both anglers and hikers, although the area around the lake regularly suffers from a strong mosquito plague in summer. Despite its use for electricity generation, Loch Rannoch has largely retained its natural appearance. However, this does not apply to the surrounding area, which today appears largely as grassland after the natural forest cover has been cut down over the centuries.