Loch Affric facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Affric |
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Looking west over Loch Affric
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 Loch Affric
Location in Scotland
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| Location | Inverness-shire, Highland (council area), Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°15′14.267″N 5°3′23.429″W / 57.25396306°N 5.05650806°W |
| Primary outflows | River Affric |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 2.13 km2 (0.82 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 29 m (94 ft) |
| Max. depth | 67.4 m (221.1 ft) |
| Water volume | 6.06 km3 (1.45 cu mi) |
| Surface elevation | 235 m (771 ft) |
Loch Affric is a beautiful freshwater loch (which is the Scottish word for lake) located in Glen Affric, a stunning valley in the Highland area of Scotland. It's about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of a town called Beauly.
This loch is part of a special national nature reserve. This reserve is famous for being home to many rare animals and plants. Loch Affric is also a popular spot for fishing, especially for trout. Every May, an exciting duathlon (a race with running and cycling) takes place on the banks of the loch. You might have even seen Loch Affric before, as it has been used as a filming location for several movies!
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Exploring Loch Affric's Geography
Loch Affric is one of two big lochs found in Glen Affric. It sits further up the glen, southwest of another loch called Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin. The River Affric is super important here, as it flows into and out of both lochs.
There are also a few smaller lochs around Loch Affric. For example, at the southwest end, you'll find Loch Coulavie. This small loch is located at the bottom of a mountain called An Tudair Beag. Also nearby, the River Affric flows into a tiny loch named Loch na Camaig. On the northeastern side, Loch Pollan Fearna drains its water into Loch Affric.
The area around the loch is very mountainous and dramatic. To the north, you can see tall peaks like Sgùrr na Lapaich (1,074 m, 3,524 ft) and An Tudair (1,036 m, 3,399 ft). These are part of a larger mountain range. To the south, there are other impressive mountains such as Aonach Shasuinn (888 m, 2,913 ft) and Carn a' Choire Ghairbh (865 m, 2,838 ft).
Amazing Plants and Animals
Loch Affric is located within the Glen Affric national nature reserve. The land around the loch is covered in beautiful woodlands. You'll see many Scots pine trees, which are native to Scotland, along with silver birch and other types of pine.
This nature reserve is a safe home for many animals that are rare in Great Britain. Keep an eye out for creatures like the pine marten, the wild and elusive Scottish wildcat, playful otters, cute red squirrels, and majestic golden eagles soaring above.
One special bird, the Scottish crossbill, lives in large numbers among the Scots pine trees near Loch Affric. This bird has a unique beak that helps it get seeds from pine cones.
You might also spot some rare and beautiful dragonflies flying near the loch's shores. These include the azure hawker, downy emerald, brilliant emerald, northern emerald, and the white-faced darter.
Fishing for Brown Trout
Loch Affric is well-known for its brown trout. Fishermen often catch trout that weigh about 8 ounces (230 g), but some can be as big as 5 pounds (2.3 kg)! On average, about 1,000 trout are caught in the loch during a typical fishing season. If you want to fish here, you can only do it from a boat. You also need to get permission from the nearby Glen Affric Lodge.
Loch Affric in Movies
Loch Affric's stunning scenery has made it a popular spot for filming Hollywood movies! Its beautiful landscapes have been used as a backdrop in several films, including:
- Victoria & Abdul (released in 2017)
- Detective Pikachu (released in 2019)
- Dog Soldiers (released in 2002)
- Valhalla Rising (released in 2009)
