Loch Ailort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Ailort |
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Loch Ailort ovelooking Ardnish peninsula.
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 Loch Ailort
Location in Scotland
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| Location | Lochailort, Lochaber, Highland |
| Coordinates | 56°51′36″N 5°42′40″W / 56.86000°N 5.71111°W |
| Primary inflows | River Ailort |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 8.1 km (5.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 26.7 km2 (10.3 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 87.27 ft (26.60 m) |
| Max. depth | 141 ft (43 m) |
Loch Ailort ( LOKH-_-EYE-lərt; Scottish Gaelic: Loch Ailleart) is a beautiful sea loch in Morar, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. A sea loch is like a long, narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland. Loch Ailort has a shallow V shape. On its north side is the small Ardnish Peninsula. To the south is the larger Moidart Peninsula. The loch starts near the village of Lochailort in the northeast. It then opens out into the Sound of Arisaig in the west. North of Loch Ailort, you can find Loch nan Uamh.
Contents
Exploring Loch Ailort's Landscape
Loch Ailort is surrounded by amazing natural features. The northern coast has a hill called Cruach an Aonaich. This hill sits right in the middle of the loch's V shape. A ridge named An t Aonach also follows the northern coastline. It eventually flattens out as it reaches the sea.
Mountains and Hills Around the Loch
The southern coast of Loch Ailort is dominated by a cool, cone-shaped hill. This hill is called An Stac. It used to be a volcano! An Stac is a "Corbett," which is a type of Scottish mountain that is between 2,500 and 3,000 feet high. It looks over Lochailort to the north. Further south from An Stac, there's a ridge with more Corbetts. These include Sgurr na Ba Glaise, Rois-bheinn, and Cruach Doir'an Raoigh. They all offer great views of the sea loch.
Islands of Loch Ailort
Loch Ailort has several islands. At the entrance to the loch, there are two main islands. One is Eilean nan Gobhar, also known as Eilean na Gour. It's located at the south side of the loch's mouth. The other island is Eilean á Chaolis. Eilean nan Gobhar is special because it has two vitrified forts. These are ancient forts where the stone walls were heated so much they turned into a glass-like material.
More Islands in the Loch
Further west, you'll find Eilean Buidhe. This island sits in the middle of the channel. It marks the spot where the sea loch turns northeast, forming the top part of its V shape. Even further northeast, close to the village of Lochailort, is a small group of islands called Eilean Dubh.
Villages and Hamlets Near Loch Ailort
The area around Loch Ailort is quite remote. Not many people live right on its coastline. The main settlement at the head of the loch is the small village of Lochailort.
Coastal Communities
The Ardnish Peninsula to the north is mostly empty. You might only find a few farmhouses or hunting lodges there. The southern coastline has a couple of small communities. These include Alisary in the east and Roshven in the west. If you go even further west, just outside the mouth of the sea loch, you'll find the hamlet of Glenuig.
