Loch of Bosquoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch of Bosquoy |
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| Bosquoy loch | |
 Loch of Bosquoy
Location in Orkney Islands
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| Location | Orkney, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 59°02′52″N 3°12′47″W / 59.04778°N 3.21306°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Primary outflows | Loch of Harray via a sluice |
| Catchment area | 3.25 sq mi (8.4 km2) |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 0.75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Max. width | 0.33 mi (0.53 km) |
| Surface area | 65 acres (0.26 km2) |
| Average depth | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 2.5 ft (0.76 m) |
| Water volume | 7,000,000 cu ft (200,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Islands | Islets of reeds |
The Loch of Bosquoy is a small, freshwater loch located on Mainland, Orkney, which is one of the Orkney islands in Scotland. It has a unique shape, like a rhombus, which is a bit like a diamond. This loch is quite shallow and sits close to the larger Loch of Harray.
Scientists studied the Loch of Bosquoy a long time ago, in 1903. This study was part of a big project called The Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. Sir John Murray, a famous oceanographer, helped with this important work.
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About the Loch of Bosquoy
The Loch of Bosquoy is a natural body of water. It is known for being a freshwater loch, which means its water is not salty like the ocean. It's a peaceful spot on the island of Mainland, Orkney.
Where is it?
This loch is found in the beautiful Orkney islands, off the coast of Scotland. Specifically, it's on the biggest island, called Mainland. You can find it just northeast of the Loch of Harray, which is another well-known loch in the area. Water from the Loch of Bosquoy flows into the Loch of Harray through a special gate called a sluice.
What is a loch?
In Scotland, a "loch" is the word for a lake or a narrow inlet of the sea. The Loch of Bosquoy is a freshwater loch, so it's like a lake. These natural water bodies are very common in Scotland and are often surrounded by stunning landscapes.
How big is it?
The Loch of Bosquoy is considered a small loch. It covers an area of about 65 acres. To give you an idea, that's roughly the size of 50 football fields! It's also quite shallow, with an average depth of about 5 feet. The deepest part is only about 2.5 feet. This means you could almost stand up in most parts of it, if you were allowed to!
Exploring the Loch
Even though it's small, the Loch of Bosquoy is an interesting place. It has small islands made of reeds, which are tall grass-like plants. These reed beds are important habitats for different kinds of birds and other wildlife.
The Great Survey
In the early 1900s, a big scientific project took place across Scotland. It was called The Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs. Scientists wanted to map out all the freshwater lochs in Scotland. They measured their depths, shapes, and other features.
Sir John Murray, a very important oceanographer, led this survey. His team used special tools to measure the bottom of the lochs. This helped them create detailed maps. The survey of the Loch of Bosquoy in 1903 was part of this huge effort. This work helped us understand more about Scotland's natural environment.
