Meikle Loch

Designations
Official nameYthan Estuary & Meikle Loch
Designated30 March 1998
Reference no.939

Meikle Loch is an inland loch some miles north of Collieston, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is designated as part of the Ythan Estuary complex, along with the Sands of Forvie, as a Special Protection Area for wildlife conservation purposes. Meikle is a Scots word for large/big, which the loch is when compared to the adjacent Little Loch.

It is a eutrophic loch with limited aquatic vegetation but is important as a roost site for overwintering pink-footed geese. In summer, it forms part of a wider breeding area for three species of tern and supports areas of reedswamp vegetation.