Loch of Winless

Loch of Winless
Loch of Winless
Interactive map of Loch of Winless
Coordinates58°28′28″N 3°12′52″W / 58.47457°N 3.21458°W / 58.47457; -3.21458
TypeLochan
Burn of Winless
Wick River
Ocean/sea sources
North Sea
2,128 hectares (5,260 acres)
Basin countriesScotland
Surface area
6 hectares (15 acres)
Average depth
8 metres (26 ft)
References

Loch of Winless is a small, narrow and shallow loch (lochan) which drains into the Wick River in Caithness, north-east Scotland. It lies some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-west of Wick.

Description

The loch covers an area of 6 hectares (15 acres), a catchment area of 2,128 hectares (5,260 acres) and an elevation of 8 metres (26 ft) above sea level, with an average depth of 38 metres (125 ft). The outflow from the loch drains into the Wick River. The hamlet of Winless lies to the south-east of the loch.

The loch, which is an SSSI, is noted for its bottle sedge and marsh marigold, and lies some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-west of Wick. The loch is mostly filled in with encroaching peat, something that the surrounding Flow Country is known for.

References

  1. ↑ "Loch of Winless, Caithness | Gazetteer of British Place Names". gazetteer.org.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Loch of Winless Water body ID 3092". uklakes.ceh.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Groome, Francis (1882). Ordnance gazetteer of Scotland: a survey of Scottish topography, statistical, biographical, and historical. Edinburgh: T. C. Jack. p. 488. OCLC 1050252194.
  4. ↑ Munro, David (2006). Scotland: an encyclopedia of places & landscape. London: Collins. p. 486. ISBN 0007773528.
  5. ↑ "Loch of Winless SSSI" (PDF). www.nature.scot. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Gordon, J.; Sutherland, D., eds. (1993). "5: Caithness". The Quaternary of Scotland. London: Chapman & Hall. p. 96. ISBN 041248840X.