Lochs of Withigill

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Orkney

Scotland

Lochs of Withigill

Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney Looking towards Withi Gill.
The birds are great skuas (bonxies).
Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney Credit: Claire Pegrum

Lochs of Withigill, located in Orkney, Scotland, is a stunning freshwater marshland comprising a series of interconnected lakes, pools, and ponds. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape, this natural phenomenon offers a diverse ecosystem and breathtaking scenic beauty.

Covering an area of approximately 200 hectares, Lochs of Withigill is a haven for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The surrounding marshland is characterized by lush vegetation, including reeds, sedges, and grasses, which provide an ideal habitat for numerous bird species. The lochs themselves are home to various aquatic plants, such as water lilies and pondweeds, creating a vibrant and colorful environment.

The rich biodiversity of Lochs of Withigill attracts a plethora of birdlife throughout the year. Birdwatchers can spot species like teal, tufted duck, wigeon, and snipe, among others, either nesting or resting during their migratory journeys. The area also supports a population of otters, which can occasionally be spotted playing or hunting along the water's edge.

Additionally, Lochs of Withigill offers recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. Anglers can indulge in fishing for trout, which thrive in the clear waters of the lochs. The tranquil atmosphere and stunning vistas make it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Orkney landscape.

Overall, Lochs of Withigill is a remarkable natural treasure in Orkney, offering a unique blend of freshwater marshland, interconnected water bodies, and diverse wildlife. Its peaceful ambiance and picturesque surroundings make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a serene and enchanting experience in Scotland's stunning countryside.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Lochs of Withigill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.857971/-3.2994299 or Grid Reference ND2597. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney Looking towards Withi Gill.
The birds are great skuas (bonxies).
Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney
Looking towards Withi Gill. The birds are great skuas (bonxies).
Burn of the White Horse, Hoy, Orkney Looking towards Shell Hill with the islands of Fara and Flotta beyond.
Burn of the White Horse, Hoy, Orkney
Looking towards Shell Hill with the islands of Fara and Flotta beyond.
Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney Looking towards North Bay with South Walls just visible on the horizon.
Muckle Lochs, Hoy, Orkney
Looking towards North Bay with South Walls just visible on the horizon.
Knap of Trowieglen Bagged the TUMP first before this Marilyn with Jim Bloomer and Tricky Speirs.
Name: Knap of Trowieglen
Hill number: 1551
Height: 399m / 1309ft
Area:23: Orkney Islands
Class: Ma,3
Grid ref: ND 23974 98459
Summit feature: trig point in windshelter
Drop: 354m
Col: 45m  HY242007
Knap of Trowieglen
Bagged the TUMP first before this Marilyn with Jim Bloomer and Tricky Speirs. Name: Knap of Trowieglen Hill number: 1551 Height: 399m / 1309ft Area:23: Orkney Islands Class: Ma,3 Grid ref: ND 23974 98459 Summit feature: trig point in windshelter Drop: 354m Col: 45m HY242007
Barren Slopes Of The Knap of Trowieglen
Barren Slopes Of The Knap of Trowieglen
Moorland on the Knap of Trowieglen ridge The Lyrawa Burn in the distance.
Moorland on the Knap of Trowieglen ridge
The Lyrawa Burn in the distance.
Lochans on the Trowieglen ridge The 1:50000 shows a single lochan, the 1:25000 shows a number of lochans as indicated in the photo.
Lochans on the Trowieglen ridge
The 1:50000 shows a single lochan, the 1:25000 shows a number of lochans as indicated in the photo.
Knap of Trowieglen ridge The ridge eventually changes moorland to a stony going.
Knap of Trowieglen ridge
The ridge eventually changes moorland to a stony going.
Trig point on Knap of Trowieglen  Part of Ward Hill in the background.
Trig point on Knap of Trowieglen
Part of Ward Hill in the background.
Lochans on Rievie Hill There were 7 or 8 bonxies flying around here, very glad it was not nesting season.  They were menacing without going into dive bomb and attack mode.
Lochans on Rievie Hill
There were 7 or 8 bonxies flying around here, very glad it was not nesting season. They were menacing without going into dive bomb and attack mode.
Lochan studded ridge The ridge connects the Knap of Trowieglen to Withigill, lots of little lochans and a good supply of bonxies.
Lochan studded ridge
The ridge connects the Knap of Trowieglen to Withigill, lots of little lochans and a good supply of bonxies.
Lochs of Withigill  The largest of the lochs just below the Withigill summit.
Lochs of Withigill
The largest of the lochs just below the Withigill summit.
Grassy slopes of Withigill The ridge heads down to the Muckle Lochs on Bailie Fea.
Grassy slopes of Withigill
The ridge heads down to the Muckle Lochs on Bailie Fea.
Lochans on Withigill The summit was a large flattish area with a scattering of lochans.
Lochans on Withigill
The summit was a large flattish area with a scattering of lochans.
West Dale The valley at the start of the Westdale burn, which eventually becomes Mill Burn.
West Dale
The valley at the start of the Westdale burn, which eventually becomes Mill Burn.
Lochans on Knap of Trowieglen This is very damp ground indeed.  Here looking over two of the many lochans towards ward Hill, the highest hill on Orkney at 479 metres.
Lochans on Knap of Trowieglen
This is very damp ground indeed. Here looking over two of the many lochans towards ward Hill, the highest hill on Orkney at 479 metres.
Lochan on Knap of Trowieglen There are many small lochans on this hill, one of which if you are to believe the legend is the home to a water kelpie.  Looking over to Nowt Bield on Ward Hill.
Lochan on Knap of Trowieglen
There are many small lochans on this hill, one of which if you are to believe the legend is the home to a water kelpie. Looking over to Nowt Bield on Ward Hill.
Summit cairn of Knap of Trowieglen The cairn is hiding a trig point within its walls.
Summit cairn of Knap of Trowieglen
The cairn is hiding a trig point within its walls.
Show me another place!

Lochs of Withigill is located at Grid Ref: ND2597 (Lat: 58.857971, Lng: -3.2994299)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///butchers.messed.perplexed. Near Lyness, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Hoy, Orkney

Hoy (Scots: Hoy; from Old Norse Háey, meaning "high island") is an island in Orkney, Scotland, measuring 143 square kilometres (55 sq mi) – the second...

Dwarfie Stane

The Dwarfie Stane is a megalithic chambered tomb carved out of a titanic block of Devonian Old Red Sandstone located in a steep-sided glaciated valley...

Ward Hill, Hoy

Ward Hill is a hill on the island of Hoy in Orkney, Scotland. It lies at the north of the island between Moaness and Rackwick, and is the highest point...

Rackwick

Rackwick is a small coastal crofting township in the north west of the island of Hoy in Orkney, Scotland. As well as a handful of tourist amenities the...

Rysa Little

Rysa Little, commonly referred to as Rysa, is an uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. It is approximately 32 hectares (79 acres) in...

Hoglinns Water

Hoglinns Water is a small freshwater loch in the south of the island of Hoy, Orkney. It drains in to Heldale Water via Hoglinns Burn. The loch was surveyed...

Lyness

Lyness is a village on the east coast of the island of Hoy, Orkney, Scotland. The village is within the parish of Walls and Flotta, and is situated at...

Scapa Flow Museum

Scapa Flow Museum is a war museum in Lyness on the Island of Hoy, Orkney, Scotland. Housed within a refurbished Romney hut and oil fuel pump house at the...

Have you been to Lochs of Withigill?

Leave your review of Lochs of Withigill below (or comments, questions and feedback).