The village of Tayvallich, a favoured haven for water craft as it sits at the head of sheltered Loch a' Bhealaich, lies on the northern shore.

Caol Scotnish is a very narrow finger that reaches further north and east than the main body of water.

Linne Mhuirich is a long narrow inlet about halfway down the loch on the north side.

The bay of Ceann an t-Sàilein lies between the Island of Danna and the main loch at the western end.

[2][3][4] The inner loch contains maerl beds and burrowed mud, and supports a colony of volcano worm, whilst the sea bed in the more strongly tidal areas at the mouth of the loch is composed of coarser sediments.