Loch Mealt

Freshwater loch in Highlands, Scotland

57°36′23″N 6°10′43″W / 57.60639°N 6.17861°W / 57.60639; -6.17861Typefreshwater lochBasin countriesUnited KingdomSurface elevation66 m (217 ft)

Loch Mealt is an inland fresh-water loch on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It lies close to Ellishadder and south of Staffin, on the eastern side of the Trotternish peninsula.

Geography

This roughly square-shaped loch is about 1 km in length. It is located close to the sea and its eastern side comprises the spectacular 55 metres (180 ft) tall sea-cliffs of Kilt Rock, made of dolerite rock strata in many different colours.^[1] Kilt Rock boasts a dramatic waterfall created from the outflow of Loch Mealt.

Ecology

There are a number of bird species in this roadside loch.Its waters are favoured by diving ducks.^[2]

The Orkney charr (Salvelinus inframundus), a char species that could be vulnerable to extinction, has been found in Loch Mealt.^[3] Since the impact of Canadian Arctic char the lake upon the native char population is unknown and the taxonomic identity of the char deemed as Salvelinus inframundus is lacking essential information, a full IUCN Red List assessment cannot be made.^[4]

References

^ "Kilt Rock, Staffin" ukclimbing.com. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
^ "Birding locations on the Isle of Skye". skye-birds.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
^ "Salvelinus inframundus". fishbase.org. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
^ Freyhof, J.; Kottelat, M. (2008). "Salvelinus inframundus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T135414A4126169. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T135414A4126169.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.