Kyle of Tongue

Ben Loyal on the west side of Kyle of Tongue.
Castle Varrich, overlooking the Kyle.

The Kyle of Tongue (Scottish Gaelic: Caol Thunga) is a shallow sea loch[1] in northwest Highland, Scotland, in the western part of the former county of Sutherland. Featuring a rocky coastline, its mouth is formed at Tongue Bay. The community of Tongue is situated on the Kyle's eastern shore and the loch is crossed by the Kyle of Tongue Bridge and Causeway. Nearby are Ben Hope and Ben Loyal.

History

According to the Origines Parochiales Scotiae, Castle Varrich, an old square tower on a hill on the east side of the Kyle, was the residence of Karl Hundason, who made an effort to conquer Scotland on the death of Malcolm II.[2] There are three brochs: on the Kyle's east side opposite Melness; at the head of the Kyle; and at Dunbuie, a hill on the west side of the Kyle.[3]

In 1746, a naval engagement occurred at the Kyle involving Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebellion.[4] The Jacobite ship Le Prince Charles, commanded by Captain Richard Talbot, was bringing a large amount of French gold to aid the Jacobite cause. It was chased by a British squadron and one of the Royal Navy frigates eventually caught up with it in the Kyle of Tongue, on 25 February 1746. A fierce five-hour battle took place: the Jacobite ship fought bravely, but in the end was defeated. The failure of the gold to reach the Prince’s army was one of the main factors which led to the Battle of Culloden.[5]

Geography

Kyle of Tongue is situated 8 miles (13 km) east of Loch Eriboll. Its western entrance is between Cnoc Glass and Roan Island; the eastern entrance is between Rosin Island and Neave Island. From Roan Island, the kyle trends in a south and southwest direction for 7 miles (11 km) to Kinloch. A large portion of it is sandy, with a narrow bar-encumbered channel running through it. The depths range from approximately 18 fathoms west of Roan Island to 5 fathoms in the area 1.5 miles (2.4 km) above where the shallows begin. There is no channel into the Kyle of Tongue along the western shore.[6] Derry (or Loch an Dithreibh) is a lake which empties into the head of the Kyle of Tongue.[7] Strathtongue, a 8 miles (13 km) long stream, runs to the Kyle.[8]

Flora and fauna

The surrounding hills are characterized by meadows, grasses, and heath. There is moorland between the Kyle and Loch Eriboll.[9]

Water fauna within the Kyle include salmon and sea trout,[10] while whales and otters are at the mouth.[11] Avifauna include Barn Swallow, Black-headed Gull, Common Raven, Common Redshank, Common Wood-Pigeon, European Herring Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Golden-Plover, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, House Martin, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Mew Gull, Red-throated Loon, and Rock Pigeon.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Robin; Lawson, Alan (2001). The making of Scotland: a comprehensive guide to the growth of its cities, towns, and villages. Canongate U.S. pp. 904–. ISBN 978-1-84195-170-6. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Gunn, Adam; Mackay, John (1897). Sutherland and the Reay country: history, antiquities, folklore, topography, regiments, ecclesiastical records, poetry and music, etc (Public domain. ed.). J. Mackay. pp. 113–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1890). Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Public domain ed.). W. and A. Smellie for W. Creech, Edinburgh, and T. Cadell, London. pp. 191–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  4. ↑ Reid, Donald; Humphreys, Rob (2 May 2011). The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands. Penguin. pp. 524–. ISBN 978-1-4053-8942-6. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  5. ↑ C. Duffy, The 45 (2003), pp. 461 - 464.
  6. ↑ United States. Hydrographic Office (1915). British Islands pilot (Public domain ed.). Govt. print. off. pp. 339, 343–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Groome, Francis Hindes (1882). Ordnance gazetteer of Scotland: a survey of Scottish topography, statistical, biographical and historical (Public domain ed.). T. C. Jack. pp. 352–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  8. ↑ The Topographical, Statistical, and Historical Gazetteer of Scotland: I-Z (Public domain ed.). A. Fullarton. 1853. pp. 761–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  9. ↑ Seemann, Berthold (1 January 1885). Journal of botany: British and foreign (Public domain ed.). West, Newman & Co. pp. 836–. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Tongue". Mackay Country. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  11. ↑ Scottish Canoe Association (20 May 2005). Scottish Canoe Touring: An Sca Canoe and Kayak Guide. Pesda Press. pp. 22–. ISBN 978-0-9547061-3-5. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Kyle of Tongue, Scotland". birdingsiteguide.com. Aug 3, 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
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Coordinates: 58°28′37″N 4°27′11″W / 58.477°N 4.453°W / 58.477; -4.453

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