Loch Laggan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Laggan |
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 Loch Laggan
Location in Highland
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| Location | Inverness-shire, Highland, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°56′53″N 4°29′24″W / 56.9481°N 4.4901°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Primary inflows | River Pattack |
| Primary outflows | River Spean |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Max. width | 0.66 mi (1.06 km) |
| Surface area | 216.5 ha (535 acres) |
| Average depth | 68 ft (21 m) |
| Max. depth | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Water volume | 5,600,000,000 cu ft (160,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 248 m (814 ft) |
| Islands | 9 |
Loch Laggan is a beautiful freshwater lake, or "loch," located in the Scottish Highlands. It's about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) west of a village called Dalwhinnie. This loch has a unique, uneven shape and stretches for about 7 miles (11 km). It's a pretty deep loch, reaching up to 174 feet (53 meters) at its deepest point. You can even find the biggest freshwater beach in Britain at its eastern end! Since 1934, Loch Laggan has been an important part of a project that uses water to make electricity. At the northeast end of the loch, you'll find the small village of Kinloch Laggan.
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Exploring Loch Laggan
Loch Laggan is found in the stunning Highland region of Scotland. It runs mostly from the northeast to the southwest. The loch is about 7 miles (11 km) long and around 0.66 miles (1.06 km) wide.
How Deep is the Loch?
The average depth of Loch Laggan is about 68 feet (21 meters). However, in some places, it can be much deeper, reaching up to 174 feet (53 meters). This makes it quite a deep body of water!
Making Electricity from Water
Since 1934, Loch Laggan has been part of the Lochaber hydro-electric scheme. This is a big project that uses the power of water to create electricity. Water from the loch helps to spin turbines, which then generate clean energy for homes and businesses.
Rivers and Surroundings
The A86 road, which connects Spean Bridge to Kingussie, follows the northern shore of Loch Laggan. The River Pattack flows into the loch near Kinloch Laggan. The edge of the famous Cairngorms National Park also goes around the top of the loch.
A short part of the River Spean connects Loch Laggan to a reservoir further downstream. This river then continues west below the Laggan Dam. Two other important streams, the Allt Labhrach and Allt Coire Ardair, also flow into the loch.
History and Fun Facts
In 1902, a team of scientists, including Sir John Murray, carefully surveyed Loch Laggan. They measured its depths and mapped it out. This was part of a larger project to map all the freshwater lochs in Scotland.
In the middle of the loch, near a place called Ardverikie, you can find the remains of an old island dwelling. This was likely a home built on an island long ago.
Loch Laggan was also featured in the popular BBC TV show Monarch of the Glen. In the show, it was known as "Loch Bogle."
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