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 into the Sound of Rousay.[2]

Muckle Water
The Muckle Water on Rousay's southside
Muckle Water
LocationRousay, Orkney, Scotland
Coordinates59°15′32″N 3°06′06″W[1]
Typefreshwater loch
Primary outflowsSuso Burn on the eastern shore, into the Sound of Rousay
Basin countriesScotland
Max. length1.25 mi (2.01 km)[2]
Max. width0.25 mi (0.40 km)[2]
Surface area45.2 ha (112 acres)[1]
Average depth11 ft (3.4 m)[2]
Max. depth20 ft (6.1 m)[2]
Water volume58,000,000 cu ft (1,600,000 m3)[2]
Surface elevation98 m (322 ft)[1]

A rare hybrid pondweed (Potamogeton sp.) is found in the loch[3] as a result of its unique nutrient levels.

The loch was surveyed[2] in 1906 by James Murray and later charted[4] as part of The Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909 .[5]

The Nuggle

In Orkney folklore it is said that Muckle Water is haunted by a Nuggle,[6] 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 into the water drowning its rider. It was said that only Finmen could ride the Nuggle.[7]


References
  1. "Muckle Water". British Lakes. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  2. "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909, Lochs of Orkney". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  3. Scottish Natural Heritage (2006). "Commissioned Report No. 180: National Vegetation Classification survey of Rousay Site of Special Scientific Interest" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  4. "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". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  5. 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.
  6. "Fishing and watersports". Discover Rousay. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  7. "The Nuggle - the Orcadian water horse". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 2013-10-05.


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