Loch of Harray, Freshwater lake in Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Loch of Harray is a freshwater lake on the Orkney Islands with a branching shoreline that includes several bays and shallow margins. The clear water reveals the lake bottom structure and supports different shore environments.
The lake was used by Norse settlers in early times, as shown in its ancient name. A major scientific survey in the early 1900s first documented its exact physical features in detail.
The name comes from Old Norse roots, showing how Scandinavian settlement shaped the Orkney Islands over time. The water body remains central to how locals and visitors experience this landscape.
The lake is easy to reach from nearby settlements but has little built infrastructure along its shore. Visitors should wear good footwear and prepare for changeable weather, as the Orkney Islands are quite exposed.
The lake is the only place in Scotland where a particular water snail species lives, found nowhere else in the country. This rarity helped give the water special protection status for its scientific importance.
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