The Loch of Swannay is the most northerly loch on the mainland of Orkney and lies within the parish of Birsay in the north west of the island. It is an elliptically shaped, freshwater loch and is close to the lochs of Hundland and Boardhouse. The grassland at the shore of the loch is the main feeding area for a wintering flock of rare Greenland white-fronted geese and the rare flat-stalked pondweed is found in the waters. Many varieties of birds use and nest in the loch including mute swans, skylarks, meadow pipits, twites, gulls and sedge warblers.^[3] It is also popular for trout fishing.^[4]

Quick Facts Coordinates, Type ...

Loch of Swannay
Swannay loch
Swannay Loch looking towards Swannay. Swannay Farm in right far distance
Loch of Swannay
Coordinates	59°8′3″N 3°12′19″W[1]
Type	Freshwater loch
Primary outflows	Swannay burn [2]
Basin countries	Scotland
Max. length	2 mi (3.2 km)[2]
Max. width	0.66 mi (1.06 km)[2]
Surface area	233.4 ha (0.901 sq mi)[1]
Average depth	12 ft (3.7 m)[2]
Max. depth	9.25 ft (2.82 m)[2]
Water volume	51,000,000 cu ft (1,400,000 m3)[2]
Surface elevation	43 m (141 ft)[1]
Islands	3 islets [1]

Close

The loch was surveyed^[2] in 1906 by James Murray and later charted^[5] as part of the Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909.^[6]