Long Loch (Angus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long Loch |
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Long Loch from Westerkeith Hill with Kinpurney Hill in the background.
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 Long Loch
Location in Angus
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| Coordinates | 56°32′09″N 3°09′23″W / 56.5358°N 3.1563°W |
| Type | Freshwater loch |
| Native name | Long Loch of Lundie Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Etymology | Mesotrophic |
| Max. length | 1.2 km (0.75 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.4 km (0.25 mi) |
| Surface area | 29 ha (72 acres) |
| Average depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Max. depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Water volume | 31,893,000 cu ft (903,100 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 233 m (764 ft) |
| Max. temperature | 58.4 °F (14.7 °C) |
| Min. temperature | 53.2 °F (11.8 °C) |
| Islands | 0 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Long Loch is a small, freshwater lake located in the beautiful Sidlaw Hills in Angus. It's not far from the villages of Newtyle, Coupar Angus, and Lundie.
This unique loch has a very interesting shape, a bit like a dog's body without its legs! It stretches from the northeast to the southwest.
Contents
About Long Loch
Long Loch is a lowland loch, meaning it's not very high up in the mountains. It's a great example of a natural freshwater lake in Scotland.
Plants and Wildlife
The area around Long Loch is full of interesting plants and is home to different types of wildlife.
Plants Around the Loch
The western side of the loch is covered by a thick forest called Palmer Wood. Along the edges of the water, you can find special marshy plants. These include:
- Bottle sedge, which looks like tall grass.
- Water horsetail, a plant with hollow stems.
- Reeds, which are tall grasses often found in wetlands.
- Reed canary grass, another type of tall grass.
Plants in the Water
Right at the edge of the loch, you might spot tiny plants like Littorella and needle spikerush. In the water itself, there are aquatic plants such as:
- Ranunculus circinatus, a type of water buttercup.
- Milfoil, also known as pond weed.
Recently, a new plant called Canadian waterweed has appeared. This plant is considered an "invasive species." This means it's not native to the area and can grow very quickly, sometimes taking over from the plants that naturally belong there.
Protected Area
Long Loch is a very important natural place. Because of its special plants and environment, it has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Being an SSSI means the area is protected by law. This helps to make sure that the unique plants and habitats of Long Loch are kept safe for the future. It's a way to preserve Scotland's natural heritage.
