Loch Calder

Loch Calder lies in the Scottish Highlands, eight kilometres south-west of Thurso. A large lowland loch, it stretches nearly four kilometres in length with an irregular shoreline of twelve and a half kilometres. Its waters reach a depth of twenty-six metres at the deepest point, while the average depth is six metres. The loch was surveyed in 1902 as part of Sir John Murray’s national mapping project of fresh-water lochs. Two local men, John Parsons and T.R.H. Garrett, carried out the detailed measurements on that October day. Archaeological remains surround the loch, including chambered cairns at the northern end. One of these, Tulach an t’Sionnaich, stands well preserved beside the water. Near Achavarn on the eastern shore, the remains of a broch can still be seen, though much of its stone has been taken away. On the western side, a 17th-century crannog once stood on an artificial island called Big Island. A ruined stone circle called Aultan Broubster lies a short distance to the west, with five upright stones reaching up to 1.3 metres. The loch is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wintering waterfowl. Greenland white-fronted geese, Greylag geese and Whooper swans gather here each year. Anglers visit to fish for trout, Arctic char and ferox trout that live in the clear waters. The surrounding land is quiet and open, offering views across the loch and the low hills beyond.