Near Aviemore, in the forest of Rothiemurchus, lies Loch an Eilein, or the loch of the island. It is a magnificent place, surrounded by pine trees and mountain views. You can explore the area by accessing it from the car park, or by a walk of 3 miles along one of the best walking paths in Scotland.
The trees around the loch are part of one of the last remaining fragments of the Caledonian Pine Forest, with some of the pines estimated to be several hundred years old.
The ruined castle on a small island in the middle of the loch, built back in the 14th century as a place of safety, now serves as the main attraction and inspiration point of the walk. The legend says there used to be a zigzag underwater causeway linking the castle and the shore.
The place is a home to the Scottish Crossbill, the UK’s only endemic bird species. Ducks with many ducklings can be seen there during the summer.
The walk around the loch offers great scenery and views of the Cairngorms. A few benches can be found on the path, providing a nice place for a picnic. There’s also a shop near a car park where you can buy some snacks and handmade items produced by local artists.
As a bonus, there is a secret viewpoint, a hidden jetty, which you can find only if straying from the main path. To access it, take the path to the right to go around the loch, anticlockwise, and stay close to the loch’s shore.
– Mariia
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