Loch Benachally | |
---|---|
![]() The summit of Spurn Hill looking south by south-east to Loch Benachally in the distance. | |
Location | NO071502 |
Coordinates | 56°38′06″N 3°30′58″W / 56.635°N 3.516°W |
Type | freshwater reservoir |
Primary outflows | Benachally Burn |
Max. length | 1.641 km (1.020 mi) [1] |
Max. width | 0.74 km (0.46 mi) [1] |
Surface area | 173 ha (430 acres) [2] |
Average depth | 24.93 ft (7.60 m) [1] |
Max. depth | 63.97 ft (19.50 m) [1] |
Water volume | 179,777,998 cu ft (5,090,746.0 m3) [1] |
Shore length1 | 4 km (2.5 mi) [2] |
Surface elevation | 308 m (1,010 ft) [2] |
Max. temperature | 57.2 °F (14.0 °C) |
Min. temperature | 48.8 °F (9.3 °C) |
Islands | 0 |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Loch Benachally is a large shallow freshwater reservoir that is located close to the Forest of Clunie in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. [1] [2]
The reservoir is operated by Scottish Water. [3]
Directly south-east of the reservoir are the remains of an Iron Age hut circle settlement and field system, centred on NO08354982, that can clearly be seen from an aerial view. [4] The settlement consisted of a line of 6 hut circles connected by a common baulk, with an isolated hut about 37 metres (121 ft) to the east. [4] The huts range from 13 metres (43 ft) down to 8.3 metres (27 ft) between wall centres. Some huts have stone enclosures. [4] The field system of the Iron Age settlement has been visibly preserved down the ages and is marked with the remains of lynchets, walls and heaps of cleared stone. [4] As the huts are in a straight line, they resemble a street. The conspicuousness of the "street" is enhanced by a wall which runs parallel to the row of houses, 15 metres (49 ft) to the south. [4]
To the east-north-east of the Loch Benachally directly from the dam at the very south of the loch, is another Iron Age hut circle settlement and field system. [4] Here as well, the field system is easily recognisable. [4] The hut circle settlement follows a north-west to south-east orientation and is a larger settlement with 12 hut circles. [4] The huts measure from 11.3 metres (37 ft) down to 3.7 metres (12 ft) between wall centres. [4] There are two fields—a large field to the north and west of the hut circle group, and a small field to the south. [4]