Loch Tarff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Tarff |
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 Loch Tarff
Location in Scotland
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| Location | Scottish Highlands |
| Coordinates | 57°09′13″N 4°36′15″W / 57.1537°N 4.6042°W |
| Type | loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Surface elevation | 292 metres (958 ft) |
Loch Tarff is a cool freshwater loch (that's a Scottish word for lake!) located in the amazing Scottish Highlands. It's pretty small, about 1.25 km (0.78 mi) away from the famous Loch Ness.
Where is Loch Tarff?
Loch Tarff sits high up in the hills. These hills rise steeply from the eastern side of Loch Ness. The loch is about 292 metres (958 ft) above sea level. Imagine looking down from a tall building!
The loch covers an area of about 500,000 square metres. It has two main inlets, which are like small arms of water reaching into the land. One is in the northwest, and a smaller one is in the southwest. Many small streams feed into the loch. Most of these streams flow in from the northeastern side, coming from the slopes of Beinn a' Bhacaidh.
You'll also find several tiny islands in the loch. The biggest one is called Eilean Ban, and it's located near the northeastern shore.
How Loch Tarff Was Formed
Scientists believe Loch Tarff was created a long, long time ago. This happened during the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. Giant sheets of ice, called glaciers, moved across the land. They carved out the landscape, forming the loch.
The rocks around the loch are mostly metamorphic rocks, like schists. These rocks have been changed by heat and pressure deep underground. You can also find some sedimentary rocks called conglomerates. These are made from bits of older rocks that have been cemented together. They are found in the Great Glen, which is a large valley formed by a fault line.
If you look south of the loch, near Loch Ness, you can find sediments left behind by the glaciers.
Getting to Loch Tarff
It's quite easy to reach Loch Tarff!
- By Car: The loch is about 6.0 km (3.7 mi) from a town called Fort Augustus. You can drive there using the B862 road, which runs right along the eastern side of the loch.
- For Walkers: If you love hiking, Loch Tarff is part of the South Loch Ness Trail. This trail is perfect for a good walk. From the southern shore of Loch Ness at Fort Augustus, it takes about one and a half to two hours to walk to the loch. The path goes uphill about 280 metres (920 ft), with two parts that are a bit steep.
Loch Tarff in Movies
Loch Tarff has even been in a movie! Footage of the loch was used in the 1983 film Local Hero. You can see it in the scene right after the rabbit and fog appear. The main character's car, a Ford Cortina, stops on the road. This scene was filmed from the B862 road, looking west. You can even spot some of the loch's small islands in the background!
