Loch Broom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Broom |
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 Loch Broom
Location in Ross and Cromarty
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| Location | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°53′28″N 5°09′54″W / 57.891°N 5.165°W |
| Native name | Loch Bhraoin Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
Loch Broom is a beautiful sea loch located on the west coast of Scotland. It is found in an area called Ross and Cromarty. The name "Loch Broom" comes from a Gaelic phrase meaning "loch of rain showers." A small town called Ullapool sits right on its eastern shore.
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Little Loch Broom: A Sister Loch
Next to Loch Broom is its smaller "sister" loch, called Little Loch Broom. Its Gaelic name, An Loch Beag, means "the little loch." This loch is located to the west, near the impressive mountain An Teallach. It opens up into a sea channel known as the Minch.
The village of Dundonnell is found at the mouth of Little Loch Broom. A coastal road, the A832, connects Dundonnell to other small places like Camusnagaul and Badcaul. Little Loch Broom is a very important home for wildlife. You can often see many cormorants resting on the rocks that stick out of the water.
Geography of the Lochs
Loch Broom's Waterways
Loch Broom gets its water from the River Broom. This river starts high up in the Dirrie mountains. It flows from two smaller lochs: Loch Bhraoin and Loch Droma. The River Broom also connects to the River Cuileig. Another stream, the Allt Breabaig, joins the River Cuileig.
The River Droma flows from Loch Droma. Both the River Broom and the River Droma meet near the Cuileig Power Station. This is about 4.75 miles (7.6 km) southeast of Loch Broom. The river then flows through Lael Forest before joining the main loch. It is a fast-moving river with a strong current.
Loch Broom opens up from the Minch and is about 12.5 miles (20 km) wide there. It stretches southeast for about 7 miles (11 km). The famous Summer Isles are located within this part of the loch. The loch then splits into the main Loch Broom and Loch Kanaird to the northeast. Loch Kanaird is close to Isle Martin. The Scoraig peninsula separates Loch Broom from Little Loch Broom.
At its widest point, where it meets the sea, Loch Broom is about 4 miles (6.4 km) across. It travels about 5 miles (8 km) to the southeast. Then, it narrows to about 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and changes direction, going south-southeast for about 9.5 miles (15.3 km). This is where the River Broom flows into it.
Little Loch Broom's Features
Little Loch Broom is separated from Loch Broom by the Scoraig peninsula. This peninsula is between 2 and 4 miles (3.2 and 6.4 km) wide. Little Loch Broom is about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) long. It also points in a southeast direction, similar to Loch Broom. Its average width is about 1 mile (1.6 km).
Two rivers flow into Little Loch Broom. The Allt Airdeasaidh empties into the loch at Ardessie Falls. The Dundonnell River also flows into it. This river starts in the Dundonnell forest, about 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of the loch. Many small lochs and rivers are found within this forest.
Mountains Around the Lochs
Ben More Coigach
The entrance to Loch Broom is watched over by the mountain of Ben Mor Coigach. This mountain is about 2,438 feet (743 meters) tall. It is located on the Coigach peninsula. From Ben More Coigach, you can see Isle Martin and Loch Kanaird.
Mountains of the Scoraig Peninsula
The peninsula that separates Loch Broom from Little Loch Broom has two other mountains. These are Beinn Ghobhlach and Beinn nam Ban. Beinn Ghobhlach is a mountain known as a Marilyn, standing at 2,083 feet (635 meters). It is at the top of the peninsula. From here, you can see the entrance to Loch Broom to the northeast and Little Loch Broom to the south. It also offers a great view of Gruinard Bay and Gruinard Island to the west.
Beinn nam Ban is another Marilyn, about 1,900 feet (579 meters) tall. It is located at the base of the peninsula. It overlooks Dundonnell to the southwest and Loch Broom to the west and south.
An Teallach: The Anvil
Southwest of Dundonnell, overlooking Little Loch Broom, is the amazing mountain range of An Teallach. This range has 10 mountains that are over 3,000 feet (914 meters) tall. An Teallach means "The Anvil" or "The Forge" in Scottish Gaelic. These mountains are also Marilyns.
