Loch Nevis facts for kids
Loch Nevis (which means Loch Nibheis in Scottish Gaelic) is a long, narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland from the coast. It's located in an area called Lochaber on the west coast of Scotland. Think of it like a fjord, but in Scotland they call these "sea lochs."
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Where is Loch Nevis?
Loch Nevis stretches inland from the Sound of Sleat, which is a body of water separating the Isle of Skye from the Scottish mainland. To the north, you'll find the wild and beautiful peninsula of Knoydart. To the south, there's a region called North Morar, which is just north of another famous loch, Loch Morar. The small village of Morar is also located in this southern area.
Getting Around Loch Nevis
Even though it's a remote area, Loch Nevis is an important waterway for local communities. There are two main ferry services that help people and goods travel across the loch.
Passenger Ferry Service
- One ferry is a small boat that carries only passengers.
- It connects the town of Mallaig with the village of Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula.
- It also stops at a tiny hamlet called Tarbet. This ferry is a lifeline for people living in these isolated places.
Vehicle and Passenger Ferry
- The other ferry service is called Knoydart Seabridge.
- This is a daily service that can carry not just passengers but also vehicles and other equipment.
- It sails directly between Mallaig and Inverie, making it easier to transport larger items to and from Knoydart.
The MV Lochnevis
You might even see a larger ferry named after the loch! The Caledonian MacBrayne company operates a ferry called the MV Lochnevis. This ship sails from Mallaig to the Small Isles, which are a group of islands off the coast of Scotland.
Fish Farms in the Loch
Loch Nevis is home to several fish farms. These are places where fish, especially salmon, are raised in large pens in the water. In May 1998, something important happened here: it was the first time a specific fish health issue, called infectious salmon anaemia, was officially recorded in Scotland. This event helped scientists and fish farmers learn more about keeping fish healthy in these farms.
