Loch Assynt

Loch Assynt
Loch Assynt
Location	Sutherland, Scotland
Coordinates	58°10′30″N 5°02′30″W / 58.17500°N 5.04167°W / 58.17500; -5.04167
Type	loch
Primary outflows	Inver river
Catchment area	69 km2 (27 sq mi)
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Max. length	10 km (6.2 mi)
Max. width	1 km (0.62 mi)
Surface area	800 ha (2,000 acres)
Max. depth	86 m (282 ft)
Water volume	247.2 hm3 (200,400 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation	66 m (217 ft)

Loch Assynt (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Asaint) is a freshwater loch in Sutherland, Scotland, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north-east of Lochinver.

Situated in a spectacular setting between the heights of Canisp, Quinag, and Beinn Uidhe [cy], it receives the outflow from Lochs Awe, Loch Maol a' Choire [gd], and Loch Leitir Easaidh. It discharges into the sea at Loch Inver, via the river Inver. The general trend of the loch is west-northwest and east-southeast, while the western end bends sharply at Loch Assynt lodge to the southwest.^[1]

The loch is 9.65 kilometres (6 mi) long, and about 1.5 kilometres (1 mi) in maximum breadth. The total area is approximately 800 hectares (1,980 acres) and its drainage basin is over 111 square kilometres (43 sq mi). The total volume of the loch is approximately 250 million cubic metres (9 billion cubic feet) and the maximum depth is 86 metres (282 feet).^[1]

There is excellent fishing for trout, sea-trout, and salmon. Ardvreck Castle, once held by the MacLeods and Mackenzies, occupies a promontory on the north shore, west of Inchnadamph.

The elevation of the loch's surface above sea level varies with the levels of rainfall but has been measured as 65.55 metres (215.1 ft).^[2]

• 
  The western end of Loch Assynt with Quinag in the distance
• 
  Loch Assynt from Cnoc an Lochain Fheoir
• 
  Ardvreck Castle