Glen Loy facts for kids
Glen Loy is a beautiful valley, also known as a glen, located in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It opens up to the larger Great Glen on its eastern side. This valley is a great place to explore nature and learn about Scotland's amazing landscape.
The River Loy and Its Journey
The main river flowing through Glen Loy is called the River Loy. It starts high up in the hills, about 230 meters (750 feet) above sea level, from many smaller streams called burns. These burns collect water from the hillsides of Druim Fada to the south and Druim Gleann Laoigh to the north. Other streams also flow into the River Loy from the southwestern slopes of Beinn Bhàn, a tall hill that is 771 meters (2,530 feet) high.
A small road runs along the valley from the B8004 road at Loy Bridge. It crosses the River Loy once at Inverskilavulin Bridge before ending near a place called Achanellan. From there, a private track continues further west into the glen, eventually becoming a walking path. This path goes over a low pass and down into another valley called Gleann Suileag.
The Rocks of Glen Loy
The stunning landscape of Glen Loy was shaped over millions of years. The valley is carved through very old rocks that are part of something called the Moine Supergroup. These rocks are mostly from the Upper Garry Psammite Formation, which are metamorphosed (changed by heat and pressure) rocks that likely formed in the sea during the Neoproterozoic era, a very long time ago.
The eastern, lower part of the glen is made of different kinds of rocks. These are igneous rocks, which means they were formed from cooled magma or lava. They are part of the Glen Loy Complex and include rocks like hornblende gabbro and diorite. These rocks pushed their way into the area during the Silurian period, a time when a huge mountain-building event called the Caledonian Orogeny was happening.
Forests and Wildlife
Much of the lower part of Glen Loy is covered by commercial forests, which are managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. However, you can still find parts of the original forests, including native Scots pine trees, especially at Coille Phuiteachain. This area has been protected as a nature reserve since 1931, helping to preserve the natural woodland.
Glen Loy is also a great place for wildlife. A special holiday business called Glenloy Wildlife operates from Glenloy Lodge at the start of the glen. They help visitors see and learn about the amazing animals that live in the area.
