Loch Langavat facts for kids
Loch Langavat (which means "long lake" in Old Norse) is the name for several freshwater lakes, called lochs, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. These lochs are mostly found on the large island of Lewis and Harris. The name comes from the Old Norse words lang (meaning "long") and vatn (meaning "lake").
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Exploring the Lochs of Langavat
The Outer Hebrides is home to many beautiful lochs. Several of them share the name Langavat. Each one has its own unique features.
Loch Langavat in Ness
One Loch Langavat is located in the Ness area of Lewis. It sits about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Stornoway. This loch is found between two important points: the Butt of Lewis and Tolsta Head.
The Largest Loch Langavat on Lewis
The biggest freshwater loch on the island of Lewis is also called Loch Langabhat. This impressive loch is over 7 miles (11 km) long. It is part of the Grimersta river system. The area around this loch is very scenic. You might even spot golden eagles flying overhead or red deer roaming nearby. People often fish here for salmon and brown trout. This large loch is about 33 meters (108 feet) above sea level. It covers a huge area of about 906.5 hectares (2,239 acres). Its deepest point is around 30 meters (98 feet).
Other Lochs Named Langavat
There are a few other smaller lochs with the name Langabhat:
- A small loch north of Carlabhagh, Lewis.
- Another small loch northwest of Gress, Lewis.
- A loch about 700 meters (2,300 feet) long, west of Amhuinnsuidhe in Harris.
- A loch in central Harris, which is over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long and sits in a steep valley.
Loch Langavat on Benbecula
Another Loch Langabhat can be found on the island of Benbecula. This loch is also quite long, stretching over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
The Story of Iain Ruadh MacDhughaill
A long time ago, around the year 1600, there was a famous hunter named John Macaulay. He was also known as Iain Ruadh MacDhughaill. One day, he was swimming to an island in the middle of a Loch Langabhat, called an t-Eilaln Dubh (the Black Island). Sadly, he drowned during this swim. A large stone now marks the spot where his body was laid after it was found. His mother would visit this spot almost every Wednesday. It is not known for sure which specific Loch Langavat this story refers to.
