Understanding what a loch is
Lochs - pronounced [lorr] not [lok] - are the lakes of Scotland. It is a body of fresh or salt water. The word " loch " comes from the Gaelic. To refer to a small loch, the term " lochan " is used. Lochs are formed by glaciers and are often located at the bottom of valleys, called glen. Some are used as water reservoirs and for power generation, and sea lochs can be used for fish farming.
Biologists distinguish between different types of lochs:
Oligotrophic lochs: nutrient-poor environments,
Eutrophic lochs: nutrient-rich environments. Both freshwater lochs, the former are mainly located in acidic peaty sites and in the Highlands and are on average deeper than the latter, which are found more on the plains. Finally, the sea lochs - sea inlet lochs, estuary or firth, bay or bay - are mostly located on the west coast.
Tourism and lochs: the ideal equation
The lochs are sites appreciated by nature lovers for the many possibilities they offer: hiking, fishing, wildlife observation, mountain biking, kayaking... Some lochs, thanks to their characteristics, offer unusual or unexpected activities:
Scuba diving to meet Nessie in Loch Ness (Drumnadrochit, Highlands),
Loch Morar steam train trip on the Jacobite Steam Train (Morar, Highlands),
Underwater archaeology at Loch Tay (Kenmore, Perthshire),
Flight over Loch Lomond by seaplane,
Boat cruises (speedboat, sailboat, touring boat, steamer...) on Loch Lomond, Loch Ness or Loch Katrine,
Migratory bird watching at the Loch Leven Observatory and Information Centre (Kinross, Perthshire)
Curling match on Loch Inchmahome, also known as Lake Menteith (Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire)
Star gazing in the UK's first Dark Sky Park at Loch Clatteringshaws (near St John's Town of Dalry, Dumfries & Galloway)
Stand-up paddle and windsurfing on Loch Ken (Crossmichael, Dumfries & Galloway)... In addition to this unlikely list, there are some more usual and equally interesting suggestions: historical sites to visit, nature trips, 4x4 excursions, beaches, spas, golf courses or even munros (peaks) to climb.
Lochs and records
The largest of them all is Loch Lomond at 71 km²: it is the largest in Scotland and Great Britain. The longest is Loch Awe, in Argyll, at 40 km long. It is very popular with trout fishermen. The largest is Loch Ness: it contains more water than the lakes and rivers of England and Wales.
In terms of mystery, the lochs have nothing to envy to the castles populated by ghosts. The Loch Ness monster is said to be hidden in the 37 km long and 226 m deep eponymous lake. Even deeper - 310 m - Loch Morar, also in the Highlands, is said to host another monster, less publicized: Morag.
Finally, a curiosity: all the bodies of water in Scotland are called "loch" except for a few, which are resisting... Some are called lakes: Lake of Menteith, the only so-called "natural" lake, is the most cited, but there are also the "lakes" of Hirsel, Pressmennan, Louise and Manxman, but they are artificial.Lochs marked by history
In Scotland, nature and culture go hand in hand. The banks and waters of the lochs are home to some historical treasures: castles, ruins, neolithic sites... In addition to a magnificent panorama, the place offers a dense and rich history. Beautiful landscapes and romantic ruins: who can beat that?
If you are interested in the Neolithic period, don't miss Lochs Harray and Stenness, in Orkney, near Mainland. They contain some real treasures: the Brodgar Circle and the standing stones of Stenness. Perthshire also has its own site. At Loch Tay, 20 crannog sites (artificial islands built during prehistoric times) and traces of Iron Age settlements can be seen. The same goes for Loch Awe, in Argyll, where crannogs
can be seen, but also ancient sites such as Innis Chonnel Castle (remains) or St Connan's Church. Lochs and castles also often go together, like Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Built in the 13th century, it was destroyed in 1692 by the English to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jacobites. Loch Fyne and Inveraray Castle, in Argyll, are intrinsically linked. These bodies of water are also royal refuges. So it is with Loch Muick in the Cairngorms: Queen Victoria stayed in her lodge at Glas-allt-Shiel (on the north shore). Today it is a favourite with Prince Charles, who also has a special affection for Lochnagar Mountain. Queen Victoria is also said to have visited Loch Maree (north-western Highlands) in 1877 and, as a tribute, the beautiful waterfall which flows into it was named after her. Mary Stuart also left her mark on some lochs, making them iconic. Indeed, she was imprisoned for a year (1567) on Castle Island, located on Loch Leven (Perthshire). It is possible to take a boat trip to the island and its ruins. She found refuge in the priory of Inchmahome, on the largest island of the Lake of Menteith (near Stirling), which is still accessible by boat and open to visitors. Finally, the lochs are undoubtedly a source of artistic inspiration. Loch Katrine, in the Trossachs, has, for example, influenced many artists, including Walter Scott, who is said to have composed his poem "The Lady of the Lake".
