THE FRESH-WATER LOCHS OF SCOTLAND. 
293 
LOCHS OF THE SHIN BASIN. 
The lochs visited by the Lake Survey draining by the river Shin and 
river Oykell into the Dornoch firth are Lochs Shin, Merkland, a’ 
Ghriama, Fiodhaig, Gorm Loch Mor, Ailsh, Craggie, an Daimh, 
Migdale, and an Lagain, and it has been found convenient to include 
also Loch Buidhe, flowing by the river Fleet into Loch Fleet, lying to 
the north of the Dornoch firth. The drainage area to be dealt with is 
indicated on the index map (Fig. 48), and extends from Tarbat Ness 
on the east to Cnoc a’ Choilich (little more than 3 miles from the shores 
of Loch Broom) on the west, and to Ben Hee and Cam Dearg on the 
north, the total area being about 860 square miles, of which about 770 
square miles drain into the Dornoch firth and about 90 square miles 
into Loch Fleet. Of this total about 240 square miles drain into 
the lochs under consideration, as will be seen from the summary 
table on page 305. The principal loch is Loch Shin, one of the 
largest of Scottish lochs, the others being comparatively small. Loch 
Merkland being the only one exceeding 2 miles in length. Loch 
Shin receives the outflow from Lochs Merkland and a’ Ghriama at 
its northern end, and the outflow from Loch Fiodhaig about 5 miles 
down on its eastern shore. Gorm Loch Mor lies at the headwaters of 
the river Cassley, a tributary of the river Oykell, and Loch an Daimh 
flows by the river Einig into the river Oykell, which also receives the 
outflow from Lochs Ailsh and Craggie. The river Shin, bearing the 
outflow from Loch Shin, joins the river Oykell to form the Kyle of 
Sutherland at the head of the Dornoch firth. Loch Migdale flows by 
a short stream into the Dornoch firth on its northern side, and Loch an 
Lagain flows by a longer stream (the river Evelix) also into the Dornoch 
firth on its northern side. Loch Buidhe flows by the river Torboll into 
the river Fleet at the head of Loch Fleet. The boundary-line between 
Ross-shire and Sutherlandshire follows the course of the river Oykell 
from the head of the Dornoch firth to Breabag Tarsuinn, passing up the 
middle of Loch Ailsh, which thus lies partly in Ross and partly in 
Sutherland, while Lochs Craggie and an Daimh are located in Ross- 
shire and the remaining lochs under consideration in Sutherlandshire. 
Loch Shin (See Plates LXV. and LX VI.). — Loch Shin is the largest 
loch in Scotland to the north of Loch Ness, and, as regards length, it 
