Loch of Houll facts for kids

Loch of Houll at sunset

The Loch of Houll is a lovely loch (which is a Scottish word for a lake) found on Whalsay. Whalsay is one of the many beautiful Shetland islands in Scotland. This loch is located to the southeast of a place called Brough. It sits on the eastern side of Setter Hill.

A small stream, part of the Scarfmoor Burn, flows into the western side of the loch. Loch of Houll is known as a "large shallow loch." It's a great spot for fishing, especially for brown trout. These fish usually weigh around 8 to 10 ounces, but some can be over 2 pounds!

On the western side of the loch, you can find the ruins of an old stone house called Peerie Roonie House. When archaeologists explored this site, they found ancient stone tools. These tools date back to the Neolithic period, which was a very long time ago when people first started farming. They also found traces of peat ash, showing that fires were once lit there.

Fun at Loch of Houll

Loch of Houll is a special place for local fun and games. It's home to the Whalsay Model Yacht Club. This club has its own boathouse right on the shore of the loch.

Model Yacht Racing

Members of the club love to sail their model yachts. These are small boats with a waterline length of 60 centimeters (about 2 feet). They often race their yachts in pairs throughout the winter months.

One of the most exciting events is the "Yule Dee model yacht race." This special race happens every year on Christmas Day! After the race, local people join in the celebrations. They enjoy a Christmas dinner together. Later, a big bonfire is lit, and fireworks light up the sky. It's a fantastic way to celebrate the holidays by the loch!