It has come to my attention that some of my overseas readers (not to mention those from England) might be a bit confused about the Scottish word 'loch'.
Well this weekend I was over in Northwest Scotland, enjoying some lovely warm weather, and I went for a paddle in two different types of loch, so now is a good time for me to provide an explanation.
I might add that these two, Loch Torridon and Loch Maree, are, in my not-so-humble opinion, the most beautiful lochs in Scotland.
First I paddled in Loch Maree. This is a fresh water lake, like Loch Ness, but more beautiful (did I say that already) and with far fewer tourists and no silly monster legends attached.
Then I paddled in Loch Torridon. This is a long narrow sea inlet, the same idea as a fjord, only not so steep sided and Norwegian.
The Loch Torridon water is salty and near the shore there is lots of seaweed, and when the tide goes out you might find one of these stranded on the beach.
I hope that's all clear now.
And no, that jellyfish did not taste good...
And no, that jellyfish did not taste good...
Wait. So a loch can have fresh water or salt water? How is a freshwater loch different from a lake? We're so confused, Bertie!
ReplyDeleteBart and Ruby
Oh yea that is very clear now.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Goose
That whole loch thing is kind of confusing!! Bet that jellyfish tasted horrible!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Scotland (it's practically abuse, I know) but Mum has confirmed that many of the lochs are beautiful and not Norwegian. Deccy x
ReplyDeleteDid you see a sea monster?!??! Happy Monday buddy!
ReplyDeleteWell, no, it is not clear. I still do not understand why there are no lochs in Massachusetts. But there you go.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for at least sampling the jelly fish. One has to try every adventure one is offered and chance the consequences.
Slobbers,
Mango
Lovely places and you had sun. Have a great Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Jellyfish...ICK! Dey sure don't taste like jelly!
ReplyDeleteNow you have to go to Loch Ness and look fur Nessie. Maybe her tastes better!
Good thing that the famous monster wasn't in your loch!
ReplyDeleteYuck on the Jelly fish!
Hugs,
Lily Belle
Loch, lake, or fjord, it's all water to me! :D
ReplyDeleteBertie this is all beautiful and all well and good, but here in California we heard a loch is a Loch Monster
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
We have lakes here, Bertie, in fact our state, Minniesnowda, has 10,000 lakes. All fresh water, no salt and NO nasty jellyfish! So is loch the Scottish word for lake? I hope you don't have anymore bites of jellyfish, most have poison in them, don't they?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Stella
Hey Bertie!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great post! Love learning all kinds of scientificals. Beautiful places for a swimmie! Did that jellyfish taste like sushi? blech. Slime. Great pix of the scenery and you!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP
Nope, still don't get it. I thought a loch was a loch was a loch. Oh, well. I think they're pretty anyways!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby
We think your lochs look beautiful and clean...not like our our silty river. But SHE says they would be COLD!
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
All these Lochs look so beautiful, but I do imagine they must be COLD! You are a tough guy terrier to brave those waters
ReplyDeleteurban hounds
Thanks Bertie! This was very informative and the pictures were beautiful! Is the water cold? Looks like it might be!
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Pip
Your picshuwes are most beautiful and fank you for the explanation. The only loch I nose about is the Loch Ness MONSTER..and I suwe don't want to run into that one!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour furiend,
Winston
hey Bertie,
ReplyDeleteI love your educational posts! I have always known what a "loch" is because of the Loch Ness Monster. I don't think you should call Nessie a "silly monster." She is awfully big and may not take too kindly to dogs dismissing her. If I ever visit Scotland (paws crossed!) I don't want to be on Nessie's bad list. I am glad the two lochs you visited do not have monsters. ;->
The photos are very pretty and the two lochs look like great places for dogs to visit and play! I am glad your Gail took you! I do feel sad for the jellyfish though. He/She did not die, did he/she?
Suka
P.S. Thank you so much for sending me your powerful healing vibes. I really appreciate it and I can already feel them working! Thank you! I am very sorry to read, though, that Gail's family suffers from this icky, mean arthritis. Not fun. And also, special thanks to Gail for answering K's question. That is very interesting history, especially about the term, "North Britain." Very cool!
Oh, Oh, what about North Britain?? Is that Scotland or northern England or none of the above?
ReplyDeleteWe found the loch lesson very clear and informative. However, aren't at least parts of jellyfish poisonous? Assuming that one was dead before you took a bite, is the poison part enervated or eliminated by death? [Its, not yours, we trust.]
Jed & Abby
Re North Britain, I refer you to my comment on Suka's blog post:
Deletehttp://sukajustsayin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/request-for-power-of-paws-and-prayers.html
Oops, we forgot - mazel tov on GB's great showing at the Olympics! You put on a nice show, too. Wonderful touch of humor after the preceding Olympics' rather martial air.
ReplyDeleteJed & Abby
Thats very interesting and very pretty!! yah I would say leave the jelly fish alone!! Hey Bertie!! I have great news on my blog, you will be Happy!!
ReplyDeletewags
Jazzi
I have heard bad stories about those jelly fish thingys. Stay away. Did you watch Finding Nemo?? You will get a nose booboo. I love seeing the beautiful waters and Lochs. Thank you again for sharing your gorgeous country.
ReplyDeleteLoveys Sasha
Thanks Bertie that clears it up :)now about this Jellyfish, would some icecream have made it taste better :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good week
See Yea George xxx
Fantastic! Thanks for showing us your favorite lochs. So the jellyfish didn't taste good? Last time I tried to taste one Mom and Dad started screaming like crazy...
ReplyDeleteHi Bertie - re: our stream: it's a lot warmer than a loch!! Since it's not very deep, the temperature changes throughout the day. Probably low 80's. Sunday we went to our ponds which are artesian springs about 40 feet deep and when we waded in it was very cool - maybe hi 60's or low 70'sF. We know that you still must be much braver to go in a loch and we'd probably pass ;-)
ReplyDeleteHowdy Bertie, we wish we had a loch to paddle in too. Looks wonderful. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteWOW ... your lochs are very pretty!!! Sure wish we had some of those over here!!!
ReplyDeleteDuncan
Bertie, thanks for explaining this - and for sharing the photographs - Loch Maree was our favourite! It does look like a great place to paddle!
ReplyDeleteWoof
Groucho
Bewtie
ReplyDeleteCleaw as the lovely watew in yoow Lochs.
I can't tell you how wefweshing that looks and if I wewe to come paddle in thewe wif you, woold you considew yoow speshul Lochs as ovewwun by toowists? I hope not
I think yoo awe sowwounded by the bestest natoowe has to offew
Smoochie kisses
Asta
Pee ess i nevew thought about walking stwing theowy, now that explains it all
Hiya Bertie, Mum says she knows all about Lochs. She remembers boating on Loch Lomond drinking "Heather Cream Liqueur"..... she's even kept a little bottle to prove it. We also love how you get water fuzzies around your legs when they are in the water...that happens to me when I'm standing in the bath.
ReplyDeleteTail Wuggles, Rubie xxx
Gorgeous Lochs Bertie :) Glad the jelly fish didn't sting ya! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteWaggin at ya,
Roo