Loch Hourn

Loch Hourn is a sea loch on Scotland’s west coast. It lies between the Glenelg and Knoydart peninsulas, splitting them apart. The loch stretches inland for about 22 kilometres from the Sound of Sleat, opposite Skye. At its entrance it is five kilometres wide, narrowing to less than two kilometres for most of its length. Near the head it narrows further to a 300-metre basin at Kinloch Hourn. The loch is often called the most fjord-like of Scotland’s sea lochs. Steep hills rise on both sides: Beinn Sgritheall to the north and Ladhar Bheinn to the south. Glaciers carved five deep basins along its floor, separated by shallower sills. Heavy rainfall and the loch’s sheltered shape create large changes in saltiness and habitats from mouth to head. Ships can reach Barisdale Bay, but the upper reaches are tide-dependent and have strong currents. Most of the shoreline has no roads. Apart from a few cottages, the only settlement is Arnisdale with about thirty people. Kinloch Hourn lies 36 kilometres along a single-track road from the A87 near Invergarry. A small passenger ferry once ran from Arnisdale but stopped in 2011. The local economy relies on a fish farm, shell fishing, shooting estates and a little tourism.