Understanding what a loch is
Lochs - pronounced [lorr] not [lok] - refer to the lakes of Scotland. It's a body of fresh or salt water. The word " loch " comes from Gaelic. To refer to a small loch, we use the term " lochan ". Lochs are the result of glacial formations and are often located at the bottom of valleys, known as glens. 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 found mainly on acidic peaty sites and in the Highlands, and are on average deeper than the latter, which are found more on the plains. Finally, sea lochs - sea inlet lochs, estuaries or firths, bays or bays - are mainly found on the west coast.
Tourism and lochs: the ideal equation
Lochs are popular with nature lovers for the many possibilities they offer: hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, mountain biking, kayaking... Some lochs, thanks to their characteristics, offer unusual or unexpected activities:
Scuba diving to meet Nessie in Loch Ness (Drumnadrochit, Highlands),
Steam train excursion on Loch Morar aboard the Jacobite Steam Train (Morar, Highlands),
Discover underwater archaeology at Loch Tay (Kenmore, Perthshire),
Fly over Loch Lomond in a seaplane,
Boat cruises (speedboat, sailboat, tourist boat, steamer...) on Loch Lomond, Loch Ness or Loch Katrine,
Migratory birdwatching 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)... Added to this improbable list are the more usual and equally interesting suggestions: historic sites to visit, nature walks, 4x4 excursions, beaches, spas, golf courses or even munros (peaks) to climb.
Lochs and records
The figures for the lochs make you dizzy... The largest of them all is Loch Lomond, at 71 km², the largest in Scotland and Great Britain. The longest is Loch Awe, in Argyll, at 40 km long. It's a favorite with trout fishermen. The largest is Loch Ness, which alone contains more water than the lakes and rivers of England and Wales.
When it comes to mysteries, lochs are no match for ghost-filled castles. The Loch Ness monster is said to be hidden within the 37 km length and 226 m depth of its eponymous lake. Even deeper - 310 m - Loch Morar, also in the Highlands, is said to be home to another, less publicized monster: Morag.
Finally, a curiosity: all Scotland's bodies of water are called "loch", except for a few that resist... A few are called "lake": 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, although these are man-made.
Lochs marked by history
In Scotland, nature and culture go hand in hand. The shores and waters of the lochs are home to a number of historical treasures: castles, ruins, Neolithic sites... In addition to magnificent scenery, the area offers a rich and dense history. Beautiful scenery and romantic ruins: who could ask for more?
If you're passionate about 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, you can see 20 crannog sites (artificial islets built in prehistoric times) and traces of Iron Age settlements. The same applies to Loch Awe, in Argyll, where crannogs can be seen, as well as ancient sites such as Innis Chonnel Castle (remains) and St Connan's Church.
Lochs and castles also often go hand in hand, like Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Built in the 13th century, it was destroyed in 1692 by the English to prevent it 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 used to stay in her lodge at Glas-allt-Shiel (on the north shore). Today, it's a favourite with Prince Charles, who also has a special affection for Lochnagar Mountain. Queen Victoria is also said to have visited Loch Maree (in the north-western Highlands) in 1877 and, in homage, the superb waterfall flowing into it was named after her. Mary Stuart also left her mark on certain lochs, making them emblematic. Indeed, she was imprisoned for a year (1567) on Castle Island, located on Loch Leven (Perthshire). You can take a boat trip to the island and its ruins. She took refuge in the priory of Inchmahome, on the largest island in the Lake of Menteith (near Stirling), still accessible today by boat and open to visitors. Finally, lochs are undoubtedly a source of artistic inspiration. Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, for example, has left its mark on many artists, including Walter Scott, who is said to have written his poem "The Lady of the Lake" there.
