Loch an Eilein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch an Eilein |
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 Loch an Eilein
Location in Highland
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| Location | Badenoch and Strathspey, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°08′49″N 3°49′27″W / 57.14694°N 3.82417°W |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Primary outflows | Milton Burn |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | > 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Max. width | < 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Surface area | 56.1 ha (139 acres) |
| Average depth | 25.5 ft (7.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Water volume | 144,000,000 cu ft (4,100,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 256 m (840 ft) |
| Islands | 1 island with ruined castle |
Loch an Eilein is a beautiful freshwater loch (that's a Scottish word for lake!) located in the amazing Rothiemurchus Forest. It's about 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Aviemore, Scotland. This special place is part of the huge Cairngorms National Park.
The name Loch an Eilein comes from the Scottish Gaelic language. It means 'Loch of the island'. People love visiting this loch because it's so pretty, and walking around it is a very popular activity.
What was Loch an Eilein used for?
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, people used Loch an Eilein for a couple of main things.
- Making Lime: There's an old limestone kiln right on the banks of the loch. People collected limestone from a nearby rock face to make lime there.
- Moving Logs: Loggers used the river connected to the loch. They floated cut logs down the river to factories that treated wood.
Even famous figures like Rob Roy, who was known for moving cattle, used the loch. One side of the loch is even called 'Robbers Way'. Today, only three houses remain near the loch. One old farm site is now home to the Loch an Eilein Gallery.
The Mystery of Loch an Eilein Castle
Right in the middle of Loch an Eilein, there are the ruins of a small castle. This castle was built in the 1300s. It might have been built on a natural island.
This castle was a safe place for people to go. It protected them from thieves and other dangers. Some stories say the castle once belonged to Alexander Stewart. He was also known as the Wolf of Badenoch.
The castle saw some fighting too. In 1690, a group called the Jacobites were retreating from a battle. They tried to take over the castle. But Dame Grizel Mor Grant, a brave woman, defended it. The castle stopped being used in the late 1700s.
It's thought that the castle might have had a path connecting it to the shore. This path, called a causeway, is now underwater. The water level of the loch rose in the 1700s. This happened because of work on the estate and the building of a dam. The castle was even used as a filming location for a TV show called 'Monarch of the Glen'.
Exploring Cairngorms National Park
Loch an Eilein is located inside the amazing Cairngorms National Park. The loch and the forest around it are very popular. Many people visit for different activities:
- Birdwatching: You can spot many different kinds of birds here.
- Walking: There's a great path around the loch.
- Mountain Biking: It's a fun place to ride bikes.
- Day Trips: Many families come for a day out.
Some of the birds you might see around Loch an Eilein include the crested tit and the redstart. You might also spot a spotted flycatcher or a tree pipit. Other birds like the red-throated diver, common sandpiper, and whinchat are also found here. Sometimes, you might even see a merlin!
Loch an Eilein has even been voted one of the best picnic spots in the UK! The park has good facilities for visitors. These include washrooms, a visitor centre, and a car park. The five-kilometre trail around the loch is flat and easy to walk. This makes it a great place for everyone to enjoy.
