Loch Veyatie

Loch Veyatie (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Mheathadaidh) is a large freshwater loch in north-west Scotland.^[3][1][2] It stretches for 6 km north-westwards from the settlement of Elphin, and lies between Suilven and Cùl Mòr. The loch is located in an area known as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area,^[4] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.^[5]

Loch Veyatie
View towards Loch Veyatie With the Cam Loch beyond and Ben More Assynt under cloud in the distance.
Loch Veyatie Location in Sutherland
Location	NC17871375
Coordinates	58.075529°N 5.088992°W / 58.075529; -5.088992
Type	freshwater loch
Primary outflows	Uidh Fheàrna
Max. length	6.4 km (4.0 mi)[1]
Max. width	0.8 km (0.50 mi)[1]
Surface area	257 ha (640 acres)[2]
Average depth	41 ft (12 m)[1]
Max. depth	125.8 ft (38.3 m)[1]
Water volume	1,132,526,812.12 cu ft (32,069,588.000 m3)[1]
Shore length1	22 km (14 mi) [2]
Surface elevation	124 m (407 ft)[2]
Max. temperature	56.9 °F (13.8 °C)[1]
Min. temperature	56.9 °F (13.8 °C)[1]
Settlements	Elphin
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Parish boundary

The boundary between Ross-shire and Sutherland (and therefore between the parishes of Lochbroom and Assynt) runs the length of the loch.

Angling

Well known for its trout (including ferox) and charr, it is a popular destination for anglers. Run-off from a salmon hatchery at the eastern end of the loch attracts large fish, including, unusually, charr, into its main feeder river, the Abhainn Mhòr. The reservoir Cam Loch is directly located 1 km to the northeast, and follows the same orientation.

Geography

Loch Veyatie is drained at its western end by Uidh Fheàrna, a channel of slow-moving water leading into Fionn Loch, which is itself drained by the River Kirkaig leading to the notable 20m Falls of Kirkaig before entering Loch Kirkaig.^[6]

Frigate

The Loch-class frigate HMS Loch Veyatie was named after the loch.

Gallery

• Images of Veyatie and surrounding areas
• 
  Bay below Creagan Mòr, Loch Veyatie. This sheltered bay was most welcome by a group of anglers on a rather windy day. At the inner end of the bay is the small beach
• 
  Cul Mor from a boat on Loch Veyatie
• 
  Far eastern end of Uidh Fhearna looking eastback down the side of Loch Veyatie The 'shore' of the loch here was fairly flat before narrowing down towards Uidh Fhearna
• 
  Unnamed micro island on Loch Veyatie
• 
  Loch shallows
• 
  View of Loch Veyatie with Cul Mòr in the distance. Note the manmade dock.
• 
  Loch Veyatie, north shore. Less appealing than the beach a few hundred metres to the east.

References

1. Lochs of the Kirkaig Basin - Loch Veyatie. National Library of Scotland Maps: Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. 1897–1909. p. 163. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
2. "Loch Veyatie". Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
3. "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909". Maps. The national library of Scotland. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
4. "Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
5. "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
6. Microsoft; Nokia. "Loch Veyatie" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

External links

• Angling in Assynt A Guide for Visitors