Loch Muick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Muick |
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Lock Muick from the eastern shore, looking west
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 Loch Muick
Location in Aberdeen
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| Location | Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°55′59″N 3°10′13″W / 56.93306°N 3.17028°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Primary inflows | Allt an Dubh loch |
| Primary outflows | River Muick |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 2.25 mi (3.62 km) |
| Max. width | 0.33 mi (0.53 km) |
| Surface area | 218.5 ha (540 acres) |
| Average depth | 116 ft (35 m) |
| Max. depth | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Water volume | 2,771,000,000 cu ft (78,500,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 8.5 km (5.3 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 398 m (1,306 ft) |
| Islands | 0 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Loch Muick is a beautiful freshwater loch (a Scottish word for lake) located in Scotland. It's found about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Braemar, at the start of Glen Muick. This stunning loch is part of the famous Balmoral Estate. Its name in Gaelic is Uisge Muice, and the name of the loch, glen, and river is pronounced "Mick".
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Exploring Loch Muick's Geography
Loch Muick stretches about 3.6 kilometers (2.25 miles) from southwest to northeast. It is surrounded by steep hills, making it a very scenic spot. Many small streams feed into the loch. The largest of these is Allt an dubh Loch, which flows from Dubh Loch in the west. The water flowing out of Loch Muick forms the beginning of the River Muick.
Scientists have studied Loch Muick for a long time. In 1905, T.N. Johnston and L.W. Collet surveyed the loch. Their work was part of Sir John Murray's big project to map all the freshwater lochs in Scotland.
It's important to know that drinking water directly from Loch Muick is not safe. There have been reports of people getting sick from bacteria like E.coli if they drink the untreated water.
Wildlife and Plants at Loch Muick
Loch Muick is home to a wide variety of animals and plants. You might spot some amazing creatures here!
Animals Living Near the Loch
- Red squirrels: These cute, bushy-tailed animals can be seen scampering through the trees.
- Red deer: Large and majestic, these deer often graze in the surrounding areas.
- Eurasian oystercatchers: These birds with their bright orange beaks are often seen along the shore.
- Salmon and trout: These fish live in the loch's fresh waters.
Trees Around the Loch
You'll find beautiful Birch trees growing all around the edges of Loch Muick. They add to the natural beauty of the area.
Glas-allt Shiel: A Royal Retreat
At the western end of Loch Muick, on its north shore, stands a special building called Glas-allt Shiel. This was a hunting lodge built for Queen Victoria. It was finished in 1868.
Queen Victoria had another lodge nearby, but after her husband, Prince Albert, passed away, she found it too sad to stay there. So, the cottage at Glas-allt Shiel was made bigger and became her new quiet retreat. It is sometimes called the Widow's House or the Widow's Hut.
Fun Activities at Loch Muick
Loch Muick is a popular place for people who love the outdoors.
Walking and Exploring
Many walkers enjoy visiting the loch because it's very scenic. There's a path that goes all the way around the loch, and it's mostly flat, making it easy to walk. You can also reach the loch by road.
Staying at the Bothy
Behind Glas-allt Shiel, there's a bothy. A bothy is a simple shelter that hikers can use for free. This one is looked after by the Dundee University Rucksack Club.
Fishing at the Loch
Fishing at Loch Muick is not open to everyone. It is restricted, meaning only certain people are allowed to fish there. The Ballater Angling Association has special permission from the Balmoral Estate to fish. They even have a boathouse and a place to launch boats at the north end of the loch. Queen Victoria herself enjoyed many fishing trips on Loch Muick!
