Loch Neldricken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Neldricken |
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The loch with Craignaw in the background.
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 Loch Neldricken
Location in Dumfries and Galloway
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| Location | Galloway, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°07′00″N 4°26′20″W / 55.11667°N 4.43889°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Primary outflows | Mid Burn |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface elevation | ~350 m (1,150 ft) |
Loch Neldricken is a beautiful freshwater loch (which is the Scottish word for a lake) located in Galloway, a region in Scotland. It sits in a wild and scenic area. You can find it southeast of a mountain called Merrick. It is also south of Craig Neldricken and west of Craignaw.
The loch has a unique shape. A long piece of land, like a finger, stretches out into the water. This makes the loch look almost split into two parts.
Contents
Where the Water Goes
The water from Loch Neldricken flows out through a short stream. This stream is called the Mid Burn. The Mid Burn then carries the water into another loch nearby, Loch Valley. From Loch Valley, the water continues its journey. It flows down the Gairland Burn. Finally, it reaches Loch Trool, which is a larger and well-known loch.
The Story of Murder Hole
On maps, you might see a small inlet at the west side of Loch Neldricken. This spot is marked as 'Murder Hole'. It sounds a bit scary, right? This name is famous because of a book. The author S.R. Crockett wrote about it in his novel The Raiders.
In the book, the 'Murder Hole' is a key location. However, the real 'Murder Hole' was not actually at Loch Neldricken. The original spot was a well located on a road. This road went from Glen Trool to Straiton. For his story, S.R. Crockett decided to move the location to Loch Neldricken. This made the story more exciting and mysterious.
The Loch's Health
Loch Neldricken has faced some environmental challenges in the past. Like many lakes, it suffered from something called acidification. This means the water became too acidic.
What is pH?
The acidity of water is measured using a scale called pH. A low pH number means the water is very acidic. A higher pH number means it is less acidic, or more alkaline. In 1978, the loch's pH was around 4.4. This is quite acidic. By 2003, the pH had improved to about 5.4. This shows the loch is slowly recovering.
Dissolved Organic Carbon
Scientists also measure something called DOC. This is the amount of carbon materials dissolved in the water. Between 1983 and 2003, the levels of DOC in Loch Neldricken increased. Changes in DOC can affect how light goes through the water. It can also affect the types of plants and animals that can live there. The recovery of the loch's pH is good news for its ecosystem.
