Muckle Water

Muckle Water is a long, narrow fresh water loch on Ward Hill on Rousay, Orkney, Scotland. It is the biggest loch on the island and is popular for fishing. It can be reached by a track from the roadside. The Suso Burn on the north eastern shore drains the loch into the Sound of Rousay.

A rare hybrid pondweed (Potamogeton sp.) is found in the loch as a result of its unique nutrient levels.

The loch was surveyed in 1906 by James Murray and later charted as part of The Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909 .

The Nuggle
In Orkney folklore it is said that Muckle Water is haunted by a Nuggle, a magical creature usually in the form of horse similar to the Celtic kelpie. The Nuggle waits at the loch side until someone climbs on its back then it plunges into the water drowning its rider. It was said that only Finmen could ride the Nuggle.