Loch na Dal facts for kids
Loch na Dal is a beautiful sea loch located in Scotland. A sea loch is like a long, narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland. This particular loch is found on the Sleat Peninsula on the famous Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is part of the Inner Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland.
Where is Loch na Dal?
Loch na Dal is situated on the southern part of the Isle of Skye. If you visit, you'll find Kinloch Lodge, a hotel, on its northern side. The A851 road follows along the southern edge of the loch, making it easy to see.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name "Loch na Dal" might seem a bit mysterious. In Scottish Gaelic, it was once known as "Loch na Dallach." This older spelling was found in the Blaeu Atlas of Scotland, which was made in 1654.
There are a few ideas about what the name means:
- It could mean "The Loch of the Delay."
- It might mean "The Loch of the Meeting."
- A more likely meaning is "The Loch of the Meadow."
This last idea makes sense because a flat, green area, like a meadow, is found at the head of the loch. This area is a river delta, where the Abhainn Ceann-Locha (which means "The River at the Head of the Loch") flows in. This grassy land was even used as a football pitch a long time ago!
Ancient History at the Loch
Near the head of Loch na Dal, on the east side of the Abhainn Ceann-Locha river, you can find a very old structure. It's a partly preserved neolithic burial cairn called An Càrn Glas. A cairn is a pile of stones, often built as a monument or burial place. This one dates back to the Neolithic period, which was a time long, long ago when people first started farming. An Càrn Glas means "the grey cairn."
