Loch Badanloch

Loch Badanloch is a loch in Sutherland in the Highland Council Area of northern Scotland. It is located near the B871 main road. The only settlement on the lake is Bandanloch Lodge, although the hamlet of Gearnsary is very nearby.[1][2] The loch is used as both a reservoir and as one of few salmon fishery areas in Highland.[3]

Loch Badanloch
Loch Badanloch
LocationScotland
Coordinates58.2778°N 4.0875°W / 58.2778; -4.0875
Primary inflowsLoch Nan Clar, Uidh a' chlarain
Primary outflowsRiver Helmsdale
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Surface elevation121 metres (397 ft)
IslandsRubha Mor
SettlementsBadanloch Lodge, Gearnsary

Geography

The loch is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) across and is directly adjacent to the Loch Nan Clar with the Rhuba Mor island separating them. The Settlement of Bandanloch Lodge is located directly on the loch. The Garvault is a small lodging located north of the loch. The River Helmsdale flows through the Loch Achnamoine to the North Sea. Flowing in there are currents from Loch Nan Clar as well as the River Uidh a' chlarain, which brings in water from the nearby Loch na Gaineime. Many small streams flow into Loch Badanloch such as the Badanloch burn, Allt na Meinne, Allt a' Mhuillin, Caochan Ruadh, Allt nam Meann and many others, some of which come from Loch Nan Clar.[4][2]

There are many named peaks in the area, some of which qualify as mountains. On the coasts of the loch includes Cnoc Uidh a Chlarain and Bandanloch Hill in Badanloch Forest, the source of the Badanloch Burn. Meall an t-Socaich is the tallest peak nearby and the slightly taller Creag an t-Socaich right by the banks of Loch na Gaineime. The nearest mountain is Creag an Alltan Fhearna and just south is the trio of Creag Liath, Creag an Lochain and the tallest one, Cnoc an Liath-bhaid Mhoir.[4][5]

Access

There is the B871 as well as a small collection of rural tracks running through the south of the Loch. One runs down to Loch Choire through Gearnsary. Smaller paths link the main one to the banks of Lochan an Alltan Fhearna The other runs further south to Loch na Gaineime. The closest rail access is Kinbrace railway station.[1][6]

Tourism

This loch and the neighboring Loch Rimsdale and Loch Nan Clar are tourist destinations. Loch Bandanloch has two lodges in its vicinity, the Sheppard's Cottage and the Garvault.[7] Fishing and hiking provide reasons for tourism, much like almost all other lochs in the area. Trout is by far the most common catch but salmon can be found both here and in the River Helmsdale.[8][9] Many hiking trains are in the area.[2]

Badanloch Lodge

Bandanloch lodge is a proper settlement with multiple houses and permanent residents, not just a small lodging. There is a lodging in the hamlet in the form of the Sheppard's Cottage.[10][11]

Archaeology

Flint implements were found on a "neck of sand" in one area of the loch's shore which has since been reclaimed by the water. It was located between the current shore of the loch and Rubha Mor, meaning they were once linked.[12][13][14]

References
  1. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  2. "Loch Badanloch, Highland - area information, map, walks and more". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  3. "Loch Badanloch from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  4. "Detailed maps & routes to explore the great outdoors | OS Maps". explore.osmaps.com. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  5. "Latitude and Longitude Finder on Map Get Coordinates". www.latlong.net. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  6. North Highlands timetable, Scotrail. "Scotrail North highlands timetable" (PDF).
  7. House, Garvault. "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL…". Garvault House. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  8. "Trout Fishing | Badanloch Estates". www.badanlochestates.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  9. "Fishing | Badanloch Estates". www.badanlochestates.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  10. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  11. "Shepherd's Cottage (ref UK30479) in Kinbrace, near Helmsdale, Highlands". Cottages.com. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  12. "Loch Badanloch | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  13. "Loch Badanloch | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  14. "Archaeology Notes | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-09-29.

Further reading
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