Loch Ròg facts for kids

Loch Ròg (also called Loch Roag) is a big sea loch on the west coast of Lewis, an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It's like a big arm of the sea that reaches inland, split into different parts like East Loch Roag and West Loch Roag. The biggest island in the loch is Great Bernera, where people live. Long ago, on old maps, the eastern part was even called Loch Bernera.

History of Loch Ròg

Long ago, a Viking woman's burial site was found near Loch Ròg. This fits with old local stories about a Viking princess. Even older signs of people living here have been found by archaeologists. For example, at Dun Carloway broch, scientists found traces of the Beaker people. You can also visit a recreated Iron Age house on Bernera at the Bosta Iron Age House.

The Callanish Stones

The famous Callanish Stones are also in the Loch Ròg area. These huge stones were put up about 5,000 years ago. This was during the late Neolithic period or the early Bronze Age. Experts believe this stone circle was used to watch the moon. It may have helped people figure out when lunar eclipses would happen.

Fish Farming in Loch Ròg

Loch Ròg is an important place for aquaculture, which is like farming fish in the sea. There are four companies that raise fish here. Some are big international companies, and two are owned by local people.

Challenges in Fish Farming

Farming Atlantic salmon in the loch has faced some challenges. There was a time when many wild salmon in the Blackwater River, which flows into the loch, became unwell. They had more sea lice than usual. Investigators found that a nearby salmon farm had a much higher number of sea lice than is normal for the industry. This showed how important it is to manage fish farms carefully to protect wild fish.

Wildlife Around Loch Ròg

Loch Ròg has many different kinds of natural homes for animals and plants. These are typical for sea lochs that are protected from big ocean waves.

Underwater Life

In the outer parts of the loch, you can find "kelp forests." These are like underwater forests made of large seaweeds. In the more sheltered inner parts, there are different kinds of kelp forests. There are also underwater cliffs near the entrance. These cliffs are home to colorful jewel anemones and plumose anemones. They also have many small animals like bryozoa and ascidia growing on them.

Some interesting creatures found during underwater surveys include the sea spinner, which is a type of sea cucumber. This animal is usually found in warmer waters further south in Britain. Another cool find is the starfish Stichastrella rosea. This starfish is more common in northern British waters.

Animals on Land and Sea

You might also see many other animals around the loch. These include red deer, grey seals, and European otters. Look up, and you might spot a white-tailed eagle flying overhead or a grey heron wading in the shallow water. The areas along the shores of Loch Ròg that have a mix of fresh and salt water are very special. They are protected as a Special Area of Conservation to keep their unique wildlife safe.

Islands of Loch Ròg

Loch Ròg has several islands. The main one is Great Bernera, which is the only island in the loch where people live. There are also many other islands that are not inhabited.