Balmacara Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balmacara Bay |
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Ard Hill across Balmacara Bay, Loch Alsh, Scotland. This view along the coast of Loch Alsh was taken from Donald Murchison's Monument
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 Balmacara Bay
Location in Ross and Cromarty
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| Location | Ross and Cromarty, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°17′06″N 5°38′49″W / 57.28500°N 5.64694°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Loch Alsh |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 0.8 km (0.50 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.35 km (2.08 mi) |
| Average depth | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Settlements | Balmacara |
Balmacara Bay is a wide bay located on the north side of the Lochalsh area in the Scottish Highlands. It sits on the north coast of Loch Alsh, which is a sea loch. The bay is right next to the village of Balmacara in western Scotland.
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Exploring Balmacara Bay and Its Surroundings
Balmacara Bay is a beautiful spot in Scotland. It is known for its stunning views and interesting history.
The Balmacara Estate: A Gift to Scotland
The large Balmacara Estate covers about 2,750 hectares (that's over 6,800 acres!). This estate was given to the people of Scotland through the National Trust for Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland is a charity that looks after important places in Scotland.
Lady Margaret Hamilton left the estate to them after she passed away in 1946. Later, in 1954, Lochalsh House, which is part of the estate, also became part of the Trust.
Nearby Places and Roads
The A87 road goes past Balmacara and the bay. It follows the northern coast of Loch Alsh. If you visit, you might see the Balmacara Hotel, which looks out over the famous Isle of Skye.
To the west of Balmacara Bay, you'll find Kyle of Lochalsh. Further west, there's Erbusaig Bay. To the east, you can explore Nostie Bay.
Understanding the Geography of Balmacara Bay
Balmacara Bay is on the northern shore of Loch Alsh. If you look south from the bay, you can see the opening of Kyle Rhea about 1 kilometer away. This narrow channel separates mainland Scotland from the Isle of Skye.
You might also spot Beinn na Caillich, a mountain that is 732 meters tall, to the right of Kyle Rhea's opening. Further east, there's a smaller hill called Glas Bheinn, which is 397 meters tall. Even further east, you can clearly see the village of Ardintoul, Ardintoul Bay, and Ardintoul Point from Balmacara Bay.
Hills and Waterways Around the Bay
The most noticeable hill behind Balmacara Bay is Auchtertyre Hill, standing at 452 meters. To the west of the bay, you'll find the opening of the sea loch, Kyle Akin. Kyle Akin has a few small islands, like Eileanan Dubha and Eilean Bàn. The A87 road to Kyle of Lochalsh crosses these islands, but you can't see them from the bay itself.
Slightly south of Kyle of Lochalsh, there's the Kyleakin peninsula and Rubha Àrd Treisis point. This is where the sea loch Loch na Beiste opens up, and you can see it from Balmacara Bay. The land behind and to the west of the bay, on the Lochalsh peninsula, is mostly flat.
Images for kids
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Beinn na Caillich from the slipway at Kyle Rhea
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Balmacara Bay.
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Balmacara Bay from the sunken garden at the Scottish National Trust property.
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Ard Hill across Balmacara Bay, Loch Alsh, Scotland - geograph.uk - 100933.jpg
Ard Hill across Balmacara Bay, Loch Alsh, Scotland. This view along the coast of Loch Alsh was taken from Donald Murchison's Monument.
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Lochalsh House. In Balmacara Bay.
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Camas nan Gall Looking east towards Ardintoul Point.
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Camas na Gall - geograph.uk - 546002.jpg
Camas na Gall Looking west towards Skye.
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Balmacara Square
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Balmacara Square These buildings face south west across the restored millpond in the centre of The Square.
