Laggan facts for kids
Laggan is a name you'll find for many places, especially in Scotland. The name comes from the Gaelic word Lagan, which means 'little hollow' or 'small dip in the land'. It's a common name because many places in Scotland have natural dips or hollows in their landscape.
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What is Laggan?
The name "Laggan" is used for several different locations. Most of these are in Scotland, but you can also find places called Laggan in other parts of the world, like Australia and Ireland. This shows how common and old this type of place name is.
Laggan in Scotland
Scotland has many places named Laggan, often because of the way the land looks. These places can be small villages, parts of larger areas, or even natural features like lochs and rivers.
Loch Laggan: A Highland Gem
One of the most famous places is Loch Laggan, which is a large freshwater loch (or lake) in the Highland region of Scotland. It's known for its beautiful scenery, surrounded by mountains and forests. Loch Laggan is quite long, stretching for about 11 kilometres (7 miles). It's a popular spot for outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The hamlet of Kinloch Laggan is located at the northern end of this loch.
Laggan Dam: Powering the Highlands
Near Loch Laggan, you'll find the Laggan Dam. This dam is an important part of a big hydroelectric power scheme. Hydroelectric power uses the force of moving water to create electricity. The Laggan Dam helps to control the water from the River Spean, which flows out of Loch Laggan. It's a great example of how engineers use natural resources to provide energy for homes and businesses.
Other Scottish Laggans
Besides the loch and the dam, there are other places in Scotland called Laggan:
- Laggan, Badenoch: This is a small area within the historic region of Badenoch.
- Laggan, Great Glen: Another location found along the famous Great Glen, a long valley that stretches across Scotland.
- Laggan, Islay: This refers to a place on the island of Islay, one of Scotland's beautiful Inner Hebrides islands. The River Laggan is also on Islay.
Laggan Around the World
The name Laggan isn't just found in Scotland. It has travelled with people who moved to other countries, often taking their place names with them.
- Laggan, New South Wales, Australia: This is a rural area in the state of New South Wales.
- Laggan, County Donegal, Ireland: You can also find a Laggan in County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland.
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