A Visual Guide to Scotland's Most Beautiful Lochs
TL;DR: While Loch Ness gets all the fame, Scotland is packed with breathtaking, lesser-known lochs. This visual guide explores the magical waters, hidden castles, and myths behind spots like Loch an Eilein, An Lochan Uaine, Loch Ard, Loch Lubnaig, and Loch Glass.
Table of Contents
Loch an Eilein
Translated as ‘Loch Of The Island’, Loch an Eilein is located within the Rothiemurchus Highland estate. The loch is surrounded by lush woodland and the Cairngorms mountains.
The loch is home to what is thought to be a 14th century castle ruin with unknown origins. The surroundings around this loch makes it feel like it comes from a fairytale.
The locals have a tale that if you stand at exactly the correct spot and whistle, then the sound bounces back to you like someone is responding. This was the call for the boatman to come across from the island to collect you from the shore and take you to the castle. You can sometimes find people trying to find the correct exact spot by the shore of the loch.
This area is great for those who enjoy outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, archery, wild swimming, wildlife watching and hiking. (If you're planning a trip to the wider Highlands, you can find more inspiration in the 10 Breathtaking Hidden Gems in the Scottish Highlands you Won't Find in Guidebooks post.)
An Lochan Uaine
Translated to ‘Green Lochan’, this small loch is set within the Cairngorms Mountains near Aviemore.
The loch’s name comes with the greenish hue of the water. Legends claim that the green colour is due to a family of pixies washing their green clothing in the loch. In reality, this unusual tint is thought to be from a combination of microalgae in the water, minerals on the loch bed, and the reflection of the surrounding trees.
If you are visiting this location, we recommend checking out Loch Morlich nearby. Some people choose to cycle to both destinations in one day.
Loch Ard
Located in Trossach’s National Park, Loch Ard is one of 22 lochs in the area. It is found on the outskirts of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, surrounded by lush forests.
A little to the south, the ruins of the 15th century Duke Murdoch’s Castle can be found. This structure mostly collapsed into the loch.
The loch also features in Sir Walter Scott’s 1817 novel, Rob Roy.
Loch Lubnaig
This loch is unusual in that it runs north to south rather than east to west. In Gaelic, its name means “crooked lake”.
Surrounded by the mountain peaks of Ben Ledi, Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich, this area is a favourite among cyclists, wild swimmers and walkers.
There are a number of walking trails in the area. In particular, this loch forms part of the 127 mile Rob Roy Way. This walk is named after a famous outlaw and it goes through the southern Highlands, across the Trossachs and through Perthshire. (For hikers looking for another epic trail in the region, take a look at The Ultimate West Highland Way Itinerary for First-Time Hikers.)
Loch Glass
This loch sits in a wild and remote area of the North West Highlands. Set within a beautiful mountain landscape, the ominous form of Ben Nevis is on full view
The iconic pink Culzie Lodge is close to the loch. This lonely landmark provides a playful contrast to the unspoilt rural mountainscape.
It is situated just under 10 miles away from the nearest town, Evanton.
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