Location
The loch runs inland about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Kyle of Lochalsh to Ardelve. From there Loch Duich continues southeast another 10 km to Shiel Bridge while Loch Long runs deeper into the mountains to the northeast. A narrow strait from the south of Loch Alsh leads to the Sound of Sleat that separates the Isle of Skye from the mainland. The loch is overlooked by Sgurr na Coinnich, which rises to 739 metres (2,425 ft) on Skye. The mainland hills to the north reach 452 metres (1,483 ft) at the summit of Auchtertyre Hill and 344 metres (1,129 ft) on Sgurr Mor but are generally lower and slope gradually down to the west.
The ancient stronghold of Inverness is 50 miles (80 km) to the east as a crow flies over the Northwest Highlands.
The climate is temperate. Annual rainfall is around 2.3 meters per year and temperatures range from 0–7 °C in January to 10–18 °C in July and August. On any given day of the year rain is more likely than not. Much of the countryside is moorland or pasture but there are lowland areas of deciduous forest with native birchwoods and oakwoods and some conifer plantations. At one time the forest would have been more extensive, but the early inhabitants converted parts of it to crofts (small farms) and when the Highland Clearances destroyed the crofts the land was kept as pasture.
Read more about this topic: Loch Alsh