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Loch an Eilein

Aviemore, Scotland
Website
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Ranked #1 of 9 attractions in Aviemore
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas, Bodies of Water
Owner description: Hidden in the forest of Rothiemurchus, this beautiful place is one of the most loved in the UK. Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) with its 13th... more » Owner description: Hidden in the forest of Rothiemurchus, this beautiful place is one of the most loved in the UK. Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) with its 13th century island castle, was voted Britain's Best Picnic Spot as part of the celebrations to highlight the 10th anniversary of Warburtons National Bread Week which took place in May 2010 - a big thank you to everyone who voted. Step back in time and retrace the steps of the Highland cattle raiders as you enjoy views of the dramatic and mysterious Highland castle and enjoy the exceptional wildlife of the forest including Red Squirrels and Scottish Crossbills. You can enjoy some of the best low level walking in Scotland. Sheltered by ancient pine trees with views of the mountains, the path round the loch is suitable for motorised wheel chairs, off road buggies and is part of the 50km Rothiemurchus way marked network of paths. « less
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141 reviews from our community

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    31
    5
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Date Rating
Portsmouth Pride of the south
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW

This is a lovely place to visit. The walk round the Loch has pines one side and mixed forest the other so the habitat and birdlife change. It has a few inclines but nothing major. There are toilets and a small shop at the start of the walk and some well placed picnic tables. The car park fee also gives... More

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See 2 more reviews by galsgottheblues for Aviemore
montreal
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

What a beautiful, almost magical, hike around the loch and through the woods. So quiet and tranquil when we were there - perhaps the rain helped in that way. The castle ruins in the middle of the loch give it a lonesome feeling, especially on a misty day. But the sun emerged at times, as it does in Scotland, and... More

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Northamptonshire, England
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

Nice place but we arrived just before the car park attendant went off duty and paid our £3 for parking only to find that he finished a few minutes later and everyone who arrived after that got to park for free so we felt a bit ripped off.

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See 2 more reviews by wanderobo for Aviemore
Rothiemurchus, Owner at Loch an Eilein, responded to this review
19 May 2013

It takes daily care to keep Loch an Eilein so special and we are grateful to visitors like you who pay to park, for contributing to this care. We do receive voluntary donations from people who arrive too late to pay for the car park and they don't get the benefit of the map or discounts that those who pay... More

Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Lovely scenery and a great moderate walk on a nice day, with lots of stopping places Can be busy during summer

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See 3 more reviews by StepRam for Aviemore
Gravesend
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Beautiful loch with a lovely old castle ruin in the middle. Fairly easy walk with not to many ups and downs.

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See 5 more reviews by SherrieBridge for Aviemore
Boat of Garten
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2013

Beautiful spot for picnics, walks or just relaxing. Lovely! Great walk around the loch through the forest. Shame about the car parking fee though.

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west lothian
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

Lovely walk round loch which took about 1hr 30 mins. Also other paths leading to different walks. Picturesque scenery and pure tranquility. There is a charge of £1.50 per adult for parking which gets u a very handy map and guidebook. Only minor point is the road leading here is a single track windy lane so drive very carefully as... More

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Derby
Senior Contributor
48 reviews 48 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 30 cities Reviews in 30 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2013

Lovely loch to walk round,path is well maintained and of good quality. Friendly staff greet you and give you a card which gives you money off other services on the Rothiemurchus estate Small visitor centre with local crafts and loos also on site Red squirrels seen regularly - relaxing special place

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See 3 more reviews by MelBeeDerby for Aviemore
Uphall
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2013

Lovely spot. We felt like we were in the of nowhere. We went there early evening & we only saw one or two other people. We wish we had our dog with us he would love it.

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See 3 more reviews by Lynn M for Aviemore
oswestry, england
Top Contributor
152 reviews 152 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 82 cities Reviews in 82 cities
105 helpful votes 105 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 April 2013

There's a big car park, and four miles of wonderful views, water, trees, snow capped mountains. There's also a gallery and I think a café, but we didn't visit that. Supposedly voted the best picnic place in Britain and you can see why.

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