Loch of Stenness
Encyclopedia
The Loch of Stenness together with the Loch of Harray are the two largest freshwater lochs of Mainland, Orkney. In Old Norse
their names are Steinnesvatn and Heraðvatn. They are named for the nearby parishes of Harray
and Stenness
.
and is the largest brackish lagoon in the UK. Loch of Harray, whilst predominantly freshwater, does have a transition zone in the
vicinity of the Bridge of Brodgar
where the two are connected. The two lochs together cover an area of 19.3 km² making the two combined the ninth largest loch in Scotland by area (as listed by Murray and Pullar (1910)). However, the volume is only 0.047 km³ due their shallow nature — Loch of Stenness has a maximum depth of 5.2 metres (17.1 ft) and an average depth of 3.2 metres (10.5 ft). Although flow between the two lochs and the sea can be observed, the water levels only experience small changes with the movements of the tide.
Together the lochs are somewhat the form of the letter "V", with two arms 3.50 and 4.50 miles long, meeting in acute angle at about two miles (3 km) east-northeast of the point of communication with the tidal currents.
that lies between the two lochs are to be found the Standing Stones of Stenness
. The loch's flanks include the scene of much of the action in Walter Scott
's The Pirate
.
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
their names are Steinnesvatn and Heraðvatn. They are named for the nearby parishes of Harray
Harray
Harray is a former parish on Mainland, Orkney, now merged with Birsay. It has the unique distinction of being the only landlocked parish on the islands, however it is next to the freshwater Loch of Harray....
and Stenness
Stenness
Stenness is a village and parish on the Orkney Mainland in Scotland. It contains several notable prehistoric monuments including the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.-Geography:...
.
Hydrography
Loch of Stenness communicates with the tidal currents of Hoy Sound, at 3.25 miles northeast of StromnessStromness
Stromness is the second-biggest town in Orkney, Scotland. It is in the south-west of Mainland Orkney. It is also a parish, with the town of Stromness as its capital.-Etymology:...
and is the largest brackish lagoon in the UK. Loch of Harray, whilst predominantly freshwater, does have a transition zone in the
vicinity of the Bridge of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic henge and stone circle on the Mainland, the largest island in Orkney, Scotland...
where the two are connected. The two lochs together cover an area of 19.3 km² making the two combined the ninth largest loch in Scotland by area (as listed by Murray and Pullar (1910)). However, the volume is only 0.047 km³ due their shallow nature — Loch of Stenness has a maximum depth of 5.2 metres (17.1 ft) and an average depth of 3.2 metres (10.5 ft). Although flow between the two lochs and the sea can be observed, the water levels only experience small changes with the movements of the tide.
Together the lochs are somewhat the form of the letter "V", with two arms 3.50 and 4.50 miles long, meeting in acute angle at about two miles (3 km) east-northeast of the point of communication with the tidal currents.
In human culture
Upon the peninsulaPeninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
that lies between the two lochs are to be found the Standing Stones of Stenness
Stones of Stenness
The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. Various traditions associated with the stones survived into the modern era and they form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site...
. The loch's flanks include the scene of much of the action in Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's The Pirate
The Pirate (novel)
The Pirate is a novel by Walter Scott, based roughly on the life of John Gow who features as Captain Cleveland. The setting is the southern tip of the main island of Shetland , around 1700...
.