Loch Dornal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Loch Dornal
Loch Dornal Location in South Ayrshire
Location	Strathclyde, Scotland
Coordinates	55°03′02″N 4°40′29″W / 55.05056°N 4.67472°W / 55.05056; -4.67472
Type	freshwater loch
Primary inflows	Corwar burn
Primary outflows	Carrick burn
Basin countries	Scotland
Max. length	0.66 mi (1.06 km)
Max. width	0.33 mi (0.53 km)
Surface area	43.8 ha (108 acres)
Average depth	5 ft (1.5 m)
Max. depth	10 ft (3.0 m)
Water volume	26,000,000 cu ft (740,000 m3)
Shore length1	4.9 km (3.0 mi)
Surface elevation	118 m (387 ft)
Islands	several islets
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Loch Dornal is a freshwater loch (the Scottish word for lake) found in the southern part of Scotland. It has an interesting, uneven shape and is quite shallow. This loch is located in south Ayrshire, within an area known as the Southern Uplands. You can find it about 8 mi (13 km) northwest of the town of Newton Stewart.

Exploring Loch Dornal

Loch Dornal is home to several small islands, which are sometimes called islets. Some of these tiny islands have special features that show signs of ancient human activity. These are known as archaeological features, and they give us clues about people who lived there a very long time ago.

Fishing and Wildlife

If you enjoy fishing, Loch Dornal is a great spot! The loch is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, which are a popular type of fish. People are allowed to fish here, but you need to get permission first from the Drumlamford Estate. This helps to manage the fish population and keep the loch healthy.

Studying the Loch

Scientists have studied Loch Dornal to learn more about it. In 1903, a biologist named James Murray carried out a survey of the loch. This survey was part of a much bigger project called the Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. This large survey, led by Sir John Murray, took place between 1897 and 1909. The goal was to map out the depths and shapes of Scotland's freshwater lochs.