Loch Dionard

Loch Dionard
Loch Dionard
Location	Scotland
Coordinates	58°23′57″N 4°48′52″W / 58.39917°N 4.81444°W / 58.39917; -4.81444Coordinates: 58°23′57″N 4°48′52″W / 58.39917°N 4.81444°W / 58.39917; -4.81444
Primary inflows	Allt an Easain Ghill
Primary outflows	Dionard River
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Settlements	None

Loch Dionard is a medium-sized loch in the Durness Parish, in Sutherland, Highland Council Area, Northern Scotland.^[1][2] It is in the North-Western Highlands about four miles south of Polla.

Access[]

Loch Dionard is 6 miles (9.7 km) away from the settlements of Eriboll, Rhiconich, Achriesgill and Alltnacaillich,^[3] that don't have direct road access to the loch.^[2] There are two small roads connecting tourist cottages and mountain trains/portages^[4] in the area, to the rest of Scotland. The road to the south provides a link to Alltnacaillich and the nearest paved road; the route is about 11 miles (18 km), 9 miles (14 km) of which are on narrow, bumpy gravel tracks through mountainous terrain.^[1][2][5] The nearest settlement with commercial services is Tongue. The other road is a small dirt track, to the north of the loch unconnected to the southerly route. It follows the banks of the River Dionard to Gualin House and the A838 6 miles (9.7 km) away,^[2][5][1] with access to Durness 11 miles (18 km) further north.

Geography[]

Loch Dionard is 357 feet (108.81 m) above standard sea level, which is relatively high for a loch, but far from any mountain peaks.^[5] As a result, it is a consolidation point for many rivers and streams that run from the mountains into the Atlantic Ocean.^[2] The most notable river flowing into Loch Dionard is the Allt an Eassain Ghil which provides water, from An Dubh-Loch and Lochan Ulbha which themselves bring in water from the mountain peaks of , Meall Horn, , Coire Lochan Ulbha. Other rivers include Allt Creag Urbhard, from , and Allt Eilidh a' Chleirich. The latter gets water from , which gets water, from Creag Staonsaid, which also flows into Loch Staonsaid and Meall a Lochain Sgeireach. Finally, there is water flowing from Loch Fir Dhuirinis, which also gets its water from Creag Staonsaid flowing into the east of the Loch alongside the .^[2][5]

Flowing outward, only the River Dionard which is more notable and larger than any of the aforementioned rivers; it is the main inflow to the Kyle of Durness, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean. The river is the main water source for the settlements of , and .^[2][5]

Tourism[]

There are a few cottages in the area around Loch Dionard,^[3] and the river southward has fishing and tourist destinations.^[6][7] There are also a few heritage paths and trails in the area^[4] but, due to its isolation and the much more accessible Loch Awe (25 miles away on the A837), Loch Dionard remains isolated.^[3]

References[]