Loch Fannich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Fannich |
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 Loch Fannich
Location in Scotland
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| Location | Ross-shire, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°38′30″N 5°00′10″W / 57.64167°N 5.00278°W |
| Type | loch |
Loch Fannich is a large freshwater loch (lake) found in a quiet, remote part of Ross-shire, Scotland. It is located about 19 kilometers (12 miles) west of the town of Strathpeffer. This beautiful loch is surrounded by mountains and offers a peaceful natural setting.
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What's in a Name?
The name Fannich likely comes from an old language called Pictish. This was a language spoken in Scotland a very long time ago. The name might be related to a Welsh word, gwaneg, which means "a wave." So, Loch Fannich could mean "Loch of the Wave."
How the Loch Changed
Loch Fannich is not exactly as it was naturally. Its water level was raised a lot to help create electricity. This happened as part of a big project called the Conon Hydro-Electric Power Scheme. This project was built between 1946 and 1961.
Building the Power Scheme
To make electricity, water from the loch is used to spin giant turbines. To get the water where it needed to go, workers had to build a long, underground tunnel. This tunnel went from Loch Fannich all the way to the Grudie Bridge Power Station.
"Operation Bathplug"
Near the end of building the tunnel, there was one last piece of rock that needed to be removed. This rock was right under the loch! To get rid of it, they used a special blasting method. People jokingly called this tricky part "Operation Bathplug." It was like pulling a plug to let the water flow.
Life Around the Loch
Because the loch's water level was raised, some things that were once on land became covered by water. For example, a building called Cabuie Lodge was once near the village of Achanalt. This lodge was home to a man named Sir Arthur Bignold. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wick Burghs in the early 1900s. The rising waters of the loch covered his old home in the 1950s.
Today, it is quite difficult to reach Loch Fannich. There are no public roads that go directly to the loch. The closest main road, the A832, is still a good distance away. This helps keep the area very wild and peaceful.
Gallery
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The Loch from above
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Across the Loch
