Loch of Butterstone

Summary

Loch of Butterstone is a small freshwater loch, almost circular in shape,[2] located within the nature reserve of the Cardney Estate, near Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross.[3] It is one of a group of three lochs, which include Loch of the Lowes and Loch of Craiglush, which are located next to each other in southeast to northwest orientation. Loch of Butterstone is located at the top of the group at the northwest end, with Loch of the Lowes being at the southwest and Loch of Craiglush located north of Loch of the Lowes. The three lochs form a chain of lochs known as the Lunan Lochs.[4]

Loch of Butterstone
Loch of Butterstone in winter
Loch of Butterstone is located in Perth and Kinross
Loch of Butterstone
Loch of Butterstone
LocationNO059449
Coordinates56°35′14″N 3°32′01″W / 56.587100°N 3.533700°W / 56.587100; -3.533700
Typefreshwater loch
Primary inflowsLunan Burn
Primary outflowsLunan Burn
Surface area43.5 ha (107 acres)[1]
Average depth3.43 m (11.25 ft)[2]
Max. depth7.6 m (25 ft)[2]
Water volume1,508,800 m3 (53,283,000 cu ft)[2]
Shore length12.8 km (1.7 mi) [1]
Surface elevation97 m (318 ft)
Max. temperature17 °C (63 °F)
Min. temperature12 °C (53 °F)
SettlementsDunkeld
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Settlements edit

Dunkeld is the largest settlement, which is located southeast from the loch. The A923 main road passes to the north of the three lochs, which runs from Dundee to Dunkeld.

Geography edit

 
View from Benachally Monument. This is the view towards Loch of Butterstone and Loch of Lowes. Beyond is Newtyle Hill, and on the right of the picture, Birnam Hill. It is just possible to see in front of Loch of Lowes the small stand of trees that appeared above the mist.
 
Lunan Burn, in flood.

The loch lies at the head of the valley of the Lunan Burn, which flows east and southeast to join the River Isla near Coupar Angus.[5] The primary feature of Loch of Butterstone, is the clearness of the water, which has been described as gin clear. This startling clearness is particularly noticeable in Scotland, when most lochs are peat lochs, and are therefore peaty in colour.

The three lochs are located in shallow valley, with a northeast orientation, looking from the Dunkeld side. The most prominent feature, is Newtyle Hill at 317 metres (1,040 ft), which is closest to Loch of Lowes. At the other side of the valley is a number of shallow hills, including Crieff Hill, at the base of the three lochs, on the northeast orientation, rising to Craig More. The surrounding area is heavily wooded. On the west slope, looking from Dunkeld, is Drumbuie Wood.

Loch of Butterstone is a well known flyfishing loch.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Loch of Butterstone". British Lakes. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d John, Murray; Lawrence, Pullar. Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909 Lochs of the Tay Basin Volume II - Loch of Butterstone. National Library of Scotland: National Challenger Officer. p. 99. Retrieved 11 January 2019.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Loch of Butterstone". Ordnance Survey. OS Maps. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  4. ^ Lunan Lochs Project Natural Care Scheme (PDF), Scottish Natural Heritage, archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016, retrieved 12 January 2018
  5. ^ "Butterstone, Loch of". The Editors of The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 12 January 2018.