Lochrutton Loch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lochrutton loch |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Lochrutton loch
Location in Dumfries and Galloway
|
|
| Location | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°02′20″N 3°43′33″W / 55.039000°N 3.725700°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 0.75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Surface area | 51.4 ha (127 acres) |
| Average depth | 13 ft (4.0 m) |
| Max. depth | 58 ft (18 m) |
| Water volume | 78,000,000 cu ft (2,200,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 3.7 km (2.3 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 91 m (299 ft) |
| Islands | 2 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lochrutton Loch is a beautiful freshwater loch (which is the Scottish word for a lake). It's located in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, west of the town of Dumfries. This loch stretches about 0.75 mi (1.21 km) long and is 0.5 mi (0.80 km) wide at its broadest point.
The loch is quite deep in places, reaching up to 58 ft (18 m). On average, it's about 13 ft (4.0 m) deep. Scientists studied Lochrutton Loch a long time ago, in 1905, as part of a big project to map Scotland's freshwater lochs.
Contents
Discovering Ancient History at Lochrutton Loch
One of the most exciting things about Lochrutton Loch is what lies in its middle. Here, you can find the remains of an ancient structure called a crannog. This particular crannog is known as Dutton's Cairn.
What is a Crannog?
A crannog is like an artificial island built in a lake or loch. People in ancient times, especially during the Iron Age, would build these platforms using wood, stones, and earth. They often lived on them for safety and protection. It was like having your own private island fortress!
Exploring Dutton's Cairn
Dutton's Cairn was explored by archaeologists between 1901 and 1902. They found it was a circular mound of earth, about 80 ft (24 m) across. Experts believe this crannog was first built during the Iron Age, which was thousands of years ago. People continued to live on it right up until the Middle Ages.
During the excavation, archaeologists discovered some cool artifacts. One special find was a cross made of jet, a type of black fossilized wood. This cross dates back to the 13th century, giving us a peek into the lives of the people who once lived there.
Fish and Fishing at the Loch
Lochrutton Loch is a great spot for fishing! It's home to several types of fish that are popular with anglers.
Types of Fish You Can Find
The loch is full of fish like bream, perch, pike, and roach. These are all common freshwater fish that thrive in the loch's environment.
Fishing Rules
If you enjoy fishing, you'll be happy to know that you don't need a special permit to fish at Lochrutton Loch. This makes it an easy and accessible place for anyone who wants to try their luck at catching some fish.
