They’re wild, picturesque, and strikingly lovely. Some even have mythical creatures rumored to dwell within them. And they’re scattered all over the place. Scotland boasts over 31,000 lochs ranging in size. These lochs offer excellent fishing spots for anglers, fantastic hiking trails, and countless opportunities for stunning photographs.
Loch Trool
In Galloway Forest Park, Loch Trool is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the southwest of Scotland. It’s famous for being the darkest spot in the UK at night. Nearby, you’ll find the tallest peak in southern Scotland.
In 1307, Robert the Bruce battled the English on the lake’s shores, and there’s a monument called Bruce’s Stone to remember it. Many hikers enjoy the area, and there’s a challenging 9-km (5.5-mile) trail around the lake that takes about three hours to complete.
Loch Morar
Loch Morar, found in the Highlands, is the deepest freshwater lake in the British Isles, going down over 300 meters (1,000 feet). At the lake’s west end is the River Morar, one of the shortest rivers in the British Isles. On the north shore is Swordland Lodge, which was used as a special ops training school during World War II. Legend has it that the lake is home to its own monster named Morag, who some say is a mermaid or even a Grim Reaper.
Loch Arklet
Loch Arklet is a lovely small lake found between Lochs Katrine and Lomond. While the trail can be steep at times, you can hike from Loch Arklet to Loch Lomond. It’s a favorite spot for anglers, but fishing for brown trout is only allowed from boats without gasoline engines because the lake is part of a public water supply. Loch Arklet is also a great place to spot ospreys, wild goats, and other wildlife. It’s situated in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Loch Tummel
Loch Tummel is well-liked by anglers seeking lake trout. But it’s also a hit with tourists who come to admire the stunning views, often regarded as the finest in Scotland. The most spectacular scenery in Perthshire can be seen from Queens View, a spot made famous by Queen Victoria. However, the view might have been named after Queen Isabel, the first wife of Robert the Bruce. The lake is one of the top attractions in Perthshire.
Loch Shiel
Harry Potter fans might know Loch Shiel as the fictional Black Lake near Hogwarts. It was also seen in The Highlander movies. This stunning, rugged lake has mountains at one end and bogs at the other, and it’s rich in history. You’ll find a ruined chapel and a battlefield where the Scots defeated the Norse in 1140. It’s also where Bonnie Prince Charlie was rowed across the lake to plant his standard at Glenfinnan in 1745.
Loch Lomond
The beautiful shores of Loch Lomond are known for a sad tale of lovers parting forever, as sung in a Scottish folk song. This lake stretches 39 kilometers (24 miles) and sits between the Highlands and Lowlands. It’s the longest lake in Britain and has the biggest island, Inchmurrin, in the British Isles. Loch Lomond is a favorite spot for water sports lovers in Scotland.
Loch Katrine
If you like Sir Walter Scott’s books, you might want to visit Loch Katrine because it’s where “The Lady of the Lake” is set. The name of the lake comes from a Gaelic word that means “cattle thief.” Rob Roy MacGregor, a famous cattle thief, was born near this 18-km (11-mile) lake in the Highlands. In the Stirling district, Loch Katrine is a favorite place for tourists, especially for people from Glasgow who visit for the day and get their water from here.
Loch Maree
Loch Maree, known for its five big and 60 small islands, is thought to be one of Scotland’s prettiest lakes. It’s up in the northern Highlands and has its own mythical monster called the muc-shelich, which might just be a big eel. Isle Maree has an old chapel, graveyard, and the leftovers of a monastery from the 7th century. There are also oak and holly trees there that people once thought were connected to the Druids. People used to believe that taking a dip in the lake could help with mental illness.
Loch Awe
Lake Awe is well-known for its trout fishing, and it’s the third biggest freshwater lake in Scotland. It’s also the longest. There are a few islands in the lake, and some of them have parts of old castles on them. One of these castles, Kilchurn Castle, is the most pictured castle in Scotland. The village nearby is called Lochawe, named after the lake. Lake Awe is in the Argyll area, and it’s the starting point for the Three Lakes Challenge for relay swimmers. The other lakes are in England and Wales.
Loch Ness
If you’re lucky, you might see Nessie, the famous monster that people say lives in Loch Ness. If not, you can still hear stories about sightings from people in Inverness. Loch Ness is the second deepest lake in Scotland, so Nessie has plenty of places to hide. But you can definitely see Urquhart Castle on the west side and lighthouses at Lochend and Fort Augustus.
