Loch Eriboll

A historical perspective, drawn from the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and originally published in parts by Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885.

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Eriboll, a sea-loch in Durness parish, N Sutherland, opening from the sea between Whiten Head and Rispond Point, and penetrating 10½ miles south-south-westward. Its breadth varies between 5 furlongs and 2¼ miles; it forms, over much of its expanse, particularly at Camasan-Duin Bay, 7 miles from its entrance, one of the finest natural harbours in the world, with depth ranging from 15 to 60 fathoms; and just to the N of that bay it is crossed by Heilem ferry. Its eastern shore, for 4 miles southward from Whiten Head, presents a series of caves and arches, pronounced by Dr Macculloch ` the most extensive and extraordinary on any part of the Scottish coast; ' and its upper part is overhung by magnificent alpine summits - Ben Hope (3040 feet) on the E, and Crann Stacach (2630) on the W.—Ord. Sur., sh. 114, 1880.

An accompanying 19th C. Ordnance Survey map is available, or use the map tab to the right of this page.

Note: This text has been made available using a process of scanning and optical character recognition. Despite manual checking, some typographical errors may remain. Please remember this description dates from the 1880s; names may have changed, administrative divisions will certainly be different and there are known to be occasional errors of fact in the original text, which we have not corrected because we wish to maintain its integrity. This information is provided subject to our standard disclaimer