Muckle Water

Muckle Water is a long, narrow fresh water loch on Ward Hill on Rousay, Orkney, Scotland. It is the biggest loch on the island and is popular for fishing. It can be reached by a track from the roadside. The Suso Burn on the north eastern shore drains the loch in to the Sound of Rousay.[1]

A rare hybrid pondweed (Potamogeton sp.) is found in the loch[2] as a result of its unique nutrient levels.

The loch was surveyed[1] in 1906 by James Murray and later charted[3] as part of The Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909 .[4]

The Nuggle

In Orkney folklore[5] it is said that Muckle Water is haunted by a Nuggle, a magical creature usually in the form of horse similar to the Celtic kelpie. The Nuggle waits at the loch side until someone climbs on its back then it plunges in to the water drowning its rider. It was said that only Finmen could ride the Nuggle.[6]

Muckle Water
The Muckle Water on Rousay's southside - geograph.org.uk - 183051
Location Rousay, Orkney, Scotland
Coordinates 59°15′32″N 3°06′06″W / 59.25889°N 3.10167°W / 59.25889; -3.10167Coordinates: 59°15′32″N 3°06′06″W / 59.25889°N 3.10167°W / 59.25889; -3.10167[7]
Type freshwater loch
Primary outflows Suso Burn on the eastern shore, into the Sound of Rousay
Basin countries Scotland
Max. length 1.25 mi (2.01 km)[1]
Max. width 0.25 mi (0.40 km)[1]
Surface area 45.2 ha (112 acres)[7]
Average depth 11 ft (3.4 m)[1]
Max. depth 20 ft (6.1 m)[1]
Water volume 58,000,000 cu ft (1,600,000 m3)[1]
Surface elevation 98 m (322 ft)[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909, Lochs of Orkney". http://www.nls.uk/. Retrieved 2013-10-05. External link in |website= (help)
  2. ↑ Scottish Natural Heritage (2006). "Commissioned Report No. 180: National Vegetation Classification survey of Rousay Site of Special Scientific Interest" (PDF). http://www.snh.org.uk/. Retrieved 2013-10-05. External link in |website= (help)
  3. ↑ "Muckle & Peerie Waters; Loch of Isbister; Loch of Sabiston; Loch of Kirbister; Loch of Tankerness (Vol. 6, Plates 91 & 92) - Bathymetrical Survey, 1897-1909 - National Library of Scotland". maps.nls.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  4. ↑ Murray, John; Pullar, Laurence (1910). Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland during the years 1897 to 1909: report on scientific results. Edinburgh. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  5. ↑ "Fishing and watersports". http://www.discoverrousay.co.uk/. Retrieved 2013-10-05. External link in |website= (help)
  6. ↑ "The Nuggle - the Orcadian water horse". http://www.orkneyjar.com/. Retrieved 2013-10-05. External link in |website= (help)
  7. 1 2 3 "Muckle Water". http://www.britishlakes.info/. Retrieved 2013-10-05. External link in |website= (help)


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