loch

A loch is a body of water found in Scotland and parts of Ireland, used in English to refer to both lakes and sea inlets. The term comes from the Scottish Gaelic loch, which itself derives from older Celtic languages, and is distinct from the general English word lake. In Scotland, loch is applied to freshwater lakes and to sea inlets that reach the sea, known as sea lochs.

Lochs occur in several forms: freshwater lakes, brackish bodies, and saltwater seasides connected to the coast. Most lochs were shaped by glacial processes during the last Ice Age, with valleys carved by ice and later filled with water. They vary widely in size, depth, and surface area, from shallow ponds to deep, expansive bodies.

Notable lochs include Loch Ness, famed for its depth and associated legend; Loch Lomond, the largest by surface area in Scotland; and Loch Katrine, historically important for Glasgow’s water supply. Sea lochs, such as Loch Fyne and Loch Long, are tidal inlets connected to the sea and often exhibit brackish to saltwater conditions.

Ecology and use: Lochs host a range of aquatic life, including Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and eels, while their shores support diverse bird life and plant communities. They support local fisheries, tourism, and outdoor recreation. In some cases, lochs function as reservoirs or sources of hydroelectric power.

In culture and language, the term loch appears in many Scottish and Irish place names. The distinction between loch and lake is partly linguistic and partly ecological, with lochs often reflecting glacially formed basins and varying degrees of sea influence in the case of sea lochs.