Loch of Strathbeg
Date Description Link to map Map Collection Map title Scale
1636-1652 Shows the loch more like a lake than an estuary zoomed in map ; map description on nls.uk National Library of Scotland
1745 zoomed in image ; page on nls.uk National Library of Scotland
1747 The estuary with no Loch yet forming ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Scotland or N. Britain ; by Emanuel Bowen 1:500,000
1747-1745 Shows the Loch almost completely sealed off , which just a small channel leading into the sea from the south side from Scran.ac.uk the Scran database The Roy Map 1:36,000
1790 Shows the sand bar beginning to form from the north and the Loch 's shaping is beginning to take place ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection A new and correct map of Scotland or North Britain ( Northern section ) ; by Robert Campbell 1:447,000
1811 Showing the name Loch Strathbeg and the outline of the loch ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Composite : Scotland ; by John Pinkerton 1:518,000
1861 Showing the Loch in the form that it is today but with a small area of water to the west coming from the south of the loch ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Composite : Scotland ; by Alexander Keith Johnston ( 1804-1871 ) 1:633,600
1883 The Loch , in the approximate shape of today ( as the previous map ) but missing the small body of water to the south-west ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Scotland 2 ; by Letts , Son & Co 1:760,320
1922 Shows the Loch in the 20th century , much as now , in relation to Crimond , Lonmay and Rattray ( NB . you will need to zoom in on this image ) from DavidRumsey.com David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Scotland - northern section ; John Bartholomew & Co 1:633,600
1931 The loch pre-WWII , the remains of the Castle of Rattray can be seen to the south and the remains of Lonmay Castle to the north-east from NPEmap.org.uk NPEMap Ordnance Survey , Sheet 031P 1:63,360
Current map Link to the Ordnance Survey website with current map from Bing Maps Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey Get-a-map 1:50,000
Maps
Historical maps of the area are available online that show the transition of Strathbeg Bay into Loch Strathbeg ( links are provided rather than the image for copyright reasons ) :
The Loch of Strathbeg (also known as Loch Strathbeg; historically Strathbeg Water; Water of Strathbeg; Rattray Water or Water of Rattray) is a designated Special Protection Area for wildlife conservation purposes. It is located near to Rattray and Crimond in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The loch is maintained by the RSPB and around the loch there are three hides from which visitors may watch the birds and other wildlife. Access to the loch is through Crimond airfield where there is a car park at the edge of the reserve. There is also the 'Starnafin Centre' from which visitors may also watch the birds from and find out more information about which birds and animals are present locally. The RSPB has recorded over 260 species of bird, 280 species of insect and 26 species of mammal at the reserve.