Loch Hourn facts for kids
Loch Hourn (which means "Loch Shubhairne" in Scottish Gaelic) is a long, narrow arm of the sea on the west coast of Scotland. It acts like a natural border, separating two areas: the Glenelg peninsula to the north and the Knoydart peninsula to the south. It's a beautiful and wild part of Scotland.
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Exploring Loch Hourn's Geography
How Big is Loch Hourn?
Loch Hourn stretches inland from the Sound of Sleat, a body of water opposite the Isle of Skye. It goes for about 22 kilometers (around 14 miles) all the way to a place called Kinloch Hourn. At its widest point, near the entrance, it's about 5 kilometers (3 miles) across. But for most of its length, it narrows down to less than 2 kilometers wide. Near its very end, it becomes a small basin only 300 meters wide.
What Makes Loch Hourn Special?
People sometimes say Loch Hourn is the most "fjord-like" of Scotland's sea lochs. This means it has very steep sides, much like the fjords found in Norway. For example, the mountains Beinn Sgritheall to the north and Ladhar Bheinn to the south rise sharply from its shores.
The bottom of the loch was carved out by glaciers long ago. It has five deep sections separated by shallower areas. Because the loch is narrow and sheltered, and gets a lot of rain, the saltiness of the water changes a lot from one end to the other. This creates many different types of sea habitats for plants and animals.
Getting Around Loch Hourn
Larger boats can sail as far as Barisdale Bay. Smaller boats can reach Kinloch Hourn, but this part depends on the tide. The currents here can also be very strong. The entire loch is known for its strong and unpredictable winds.
Most of the shoreline of Loch Hourn cannot be reached by road. There are only a few scattered cottages. The main community is Arnisdale, which has about 30 people living there. Kinloch Hourn is about 36 kilometers (22 miles) away from the main A87 road, along a single-track road.
Life Around Loch Hourn
Local Economy and Jobs
The local economy around Loch Hourn is quite small. There is a fish farm near the mouth of the loch. A few local boats catch shellfish. Some jobs depend on the large estates nearby, which are used for activities like deer stalking. Tourism also brings some income to the area.
