Loch Torridon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Torridon |
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Upper Loch Torridon from the A896
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 Loch Torridon
Location in Highland
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| Location | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°35′N 5°46′W / 57.58°N 5.76°W |
| Type | Sea loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
Loch Torridon (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Thoirbheartan) is a large sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. It is located in the beautiful Northwest Highlands.
This loch was formed by huge glaciers long ago. It stretches for about 15 miles (25 km). Loch Torridon has two main parts: the inner section called Upper Loch Torridon, and the larger outer section. The outer part connects to the Inner Sound of the sea.
The name Thoirbhearta is similar to Tarbert. It means a place where people used to drag boats over land. This was a way to move boats between different bodies of water.
Contents
Islands of Loch Torridon
Loch Torridon has several small islands, also called islets. These islands add to the beauty of the loch.
- In Loch Shieldaig, you can find:
- Eilean an Inbhire Bhàin
- Eilean Dùghaill
- Shieldaig Island
- In Upper Loch Torridon, there are:
- Eilean à Chaoil
- Eilean Cnapach
These two islands can be reached on foot when the tide is low.
- In the main outer Loch Torridon, you will find:
- Eilean Mòr
- Eilean Tioram
- Sgeir Ghlas
- Sgeir na Trian
Shieldaig Island has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1970. It is covered with Scots pine trees. These trees might have grown from seeds brought from Speyside in the mid-1800s.
Villages Around the Loch
The village of Torridon is located at the very end of the loch. It is surrounded by the amazing Torridon Hills.
Other villages near the loch include:
- To the north: Redpoint, Diabaig, Wester Alligin, and Alligin Shuas.
- To the south: Shieldaig.
The Torridon Hills
The loch is surrounded by many tall mountains to the north. These include Liathach, Beinn Alligin, and Beinn Eighe. All of these mountains are over 3,000 feet (914 meters) high.
The Torridon Hills offer stunning mountain views. The rocks that make up these hills are called Torridonian sandstone. Some of these rocks have white Cambrian quartzite on top. These rocks are among the oldest in Britain. They sit on even older rocks, known as Lewisian gneiss.
Fishing in Loch Torridon
Loch Torridon is an important place for fishing. Many prawns and other shellfish are caught here. The loch is also home to several salmon farms. There is also a lot of mussel production.
Langoustines are a type of shellfish caught using special baskets called creels. These creels are baited with herring or prawns. Fishermen place lines with up to 120 creels on the seabed. They leave them there for at least a day to catch langoustines. Most of the langoustines caught are sent to Spain. However, some are sold to local people.
Images for kids
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Loch Torridon, an 1881 clipper ship
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Sails of the ship Loch Torridon
See also
In Spanish: Fiordo de Torridon para niños
