Loch Creran

{{short description|Sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Loch Creran MPA

| alt_name =

| iucn_category = IV

| photo = File:Loch Creran - geograph.org.uk - 53700.jpg

| photo_alt =

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| photo_width =

| map = Scotland Argyll and Bute

| relief = 1

| map_alt =

| map_caption = The location of Loch Creran, in Argyll and Bute

| map_width =

| location = Argyll and Bute, Scotland

| nearest_city =

| coordinates = {{coord|56|31|39|N|5|20|21|W|region:GB_type:waterbody|display=title,inline}}

| area_ha = 1200

| area_ref =

| established = 2014

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| designation = Scottish Government

| operator = Marine Scotland

| url =

| embedded =

}}

Loch Creran is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/loch-creran-guide|title=Loch Creran Guide|first=Argyll and Bute|last=Council|date=11 January 2011|website=Argyll and Bute Council}} It is about {{convert|10|km|mi}} long from its head at Invercreran to its mouth on the Lynn of Lorne, part of Loch Linnhe. The loch separates the areas of Benderloch to the south and Appin to the north. The island of Eriska lies at the mouth of the loch. The loch is bridged at its narrowest point at Creagan, by the A828 road. The village of Barcaldine lies on the south shore of the loch.

The loch narrows and becomes shallower at both Eriska and Creagan, meaning that tidal currents are accelerated through these points. This provides aeration and nutrition to the beds of flame shell and horse mussel that are a feature of the loch. Between these shallow zones lie deeper basins in which the water is more still, proving a habitat for Norway lobster and seapen.{{cite web|url=https://apps.snh.gov.uk/sitelink-api/v1/sites/10415/documents/48|title=Loch Creran Marine Protected Area Site Summary|accessdate=11 October 2020|publisher=Scottish Government}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/landscapes-and-habitats/habitat-types/coast-and-seas/marine-habitats/horse-mussel-beds|title=Horse mussel beds|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}} In 2014 the entire loch (an area of {{convert|1200|ha|km2}}) was declared a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area, to protect its flame shell beds and quaternary geological features.{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10415|title=Loch Creran MPA(NC)|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}} Within the MPA the use of fishing gear that may damage the seabed is prohibited, although rod and line fishing and creeling is permitted.{{cite web |url=https://apps.snh.gov.uk/sitelink-api/v1/sites/10415/documents/47|title=Scottish Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 435: The Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing and Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2015 |publisher=Queen’s Printer for Scotland|accessdate=24 October 2019|date=16 December 2015}} The MPA is designated a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature,{{cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/loch-creran-nature-conservation-marine-protected-area|title=Loch Creran in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|publisher=Protected Planet|accessdate=24 October 2019}} and is also protected as a Special Area of Conservation.{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8294|title=Loch Creran SAC|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}}

At the head of Loch Creran lies the Glasdrum Wood national nature reserve,{{Cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/5028|title=Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserves|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}} an internationally important atlantic oakwood managed by Scottish Natural Heritage, classified as both a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This predominantly ash and oak woodland is home to butterflies like the rare chequered skipper,{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8619|title=Glen Creran Woods SSSI|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}} as well as being frequented by otters.{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8265|title=Glen Creran Woods SAC|publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=11 October 2020}} The River Creran flows into Loch Creran by this reserve.