This study has revealed that the natural resources of the loch are of considerable economic significance to the local community, and support a total of 98 fte jobs in the immediate Torridon area. This finding is described in more detail below.
The study has correlated and quantified some of the range of information that is currently available on the loch system and, where possible has filled gaps in this knowledge. The background work was commissioned locally. A socio-economic study determined the importance of the loch to the dependant local communities. A marine biological diving study was carried out in the loch and a fisheries audit examined the important commercial sectors of aquaculture and the nephrops creel fishery. Each component of the study is summarised and is presented in full as a technical appendix to the main report.
The range of opinion of the local communities and their elected representatives was canvassed, along with information from the statutory bodies and agencies, the tourist industry, business interests and other users of the land and sea. This was done by local discussion which involved community consultation and specific individual interviews, both in person and by telephone.
No attempt has been made to quantify in monetary terms other values associated with natural beauty or amenity of the loch area.
The study area (map 1) includes the Inner and Outer parts of Loch Torridon as well as Loch Sheildaig and Loch Diabaig and extends to the seaward edge of the seasonally closed area defined by the Scottish Office, following the line from Red Point to Rona and from Rona to Rubha na Fearn.
