Loch an Tuirc

Loch an Tuirc is a large irregular shaped, shallow loch, located about two miles north-by-north-east of Lochinver in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland.^[1][2] It is one of three lochs in Scotland with the same name. Loch an Tuirc is located in an area known as the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area,^[3] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.^[4]

Loch an Tuirc
Loch an Tuir with Loch an Tuirc lying beyond it.
Loch an Tuirc Location in Sutherland
Location	NC11112588
Coordinates	58.1813°N 5.2123°W / 58.1813; -5.2123
Type	freshwater loch
Primary outflows	Allt Loch an Tuirc
Max. length	1.287 km (0.800 mi)[1]
Max. width	0.32 km (0.20 mi)[1]
Surface area	19 ha (47 acres)[2]
Average depth	10.4 ft (3.2 m)[1]
Max. depth	39 ft (12 m)[1]
Water volume	21,433,001 ft3 (606,915.0 m3)[1]
Shore length1	4 km (2.5 mi) [2]
Surface elevation	54 m (177 ft)[2]
Max. temperature	53 °F (12 °C)
Min. temperature	50 °F (10 °C)
Islands	2 main islands and many rocky islets
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Geography

Loch an Tuirc is an area of outstanding natural beauty in area of wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs, and lochs and lochans. To the west is the small Loch Beannach, to the east is Loch Cròcach. The small loch of Loch an Tuir sits to the north. About five miles to the west is the Loch Assynt.

Water flows from Loch Cròcach into Loch an Tuirc and is drained out via Allt Loch an Tuirc into Manse Loch in the southwest.^[5]

Fishing

Loch an Tuirc and Manse Loch are excellent for fly fishing.^[6] Grouse, Claret, Woodcock, Hare-lug and silver butcher are the best fly for the loch.^[6]