Loch of Stenness

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Loch of Stenness
Location Orkney, Scotland
Coordinates 59°00′N 3°15′WCoordinates: 59°00′N 3°15′W
Lake type freshwater loch
Basin countries Scotland
The Stenness Watch Stone stands outside the circle, next to the modern bridge leading to the Ring of Brodgar, which bisects the loch(s)
The Stenness Watch Stone stands outside the circle, next to the modern bridge leading to the Ring of Brodgar, which bisects the loch(s)

The Loch of Stenness together with the Loch of Harray is one of the big freshwater lochs of Mainland, Orkney[1]. In Old Norse their names are Steinnesvatn [2] and Heraðvatn[2] respectively. They are named for the nearby parishes of Harray and Stenness.

It communicates with the tidal currents of Hoy Sound, at 3 1/4 miles north east of Stromness[1], and has somewhat the form of the letter "V", with two arms 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 miles long, meeting in acute angle at about two miles east-north-east of the point of communication with the tidal currents.[1] It is partly flanked with the scene of much of the action in Walter Scott's The Pirate. Upon the peninsula are to be found the Standing Stones of Stenness.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Wilson, Rev. John The Gazetteer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone
  2. ^ a b Pedersen, Roy (January 1992) Orkneyjar ok Katanes (map, Inverness, Nevis Print)

This article incorporates text from - Wilson, Rev. John The Gazetteer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone

 This Orkney location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.