Loch an Eilein, Loch Gamhna, Lochan Deo and Rothiemurchus Forest
A walk beside a beautiful loch and through an ancient pine forest
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: Loch an Eilein | Distance: 6.9 miles (11.1 km) | Climbing: 169 metres |
| Grid Ref: NH 89781 08573 | Time: 3-4 hours | Rating: Moderate |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Rothiemurchus Forest |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: Loch an Eilein | Distance: 6.9 miles (11.1 km) |
| Climbing: 169 metres | Grid Ref: NH 89781 08573 |
| Time: 3-4 hours | Rating: Moderate |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk: Below the northern corries of the Cairngorm mountains a great flat plain runs north-west towards the River Spey and the Monadhliath Hills. Much of the plain is densely forested, a thick impenetrable mass of trees. But a large tract of this vast forest is much older than the regimented lines of quick growing sitka spruce and lodgepole pine. Thousands of years ago much of the Scottish Highlands was covered in a thick forest with a healthy undergrowth of birch scrub, juniper and heather. The principle tree of this vast forest was the Scots Pine, and it reigned supreme on hillside and in glen, offering shelter to such exotic indigenous species as wolves, bears, elks, wild bear and lynx. Beavers swam in the lochs and rivers and the golden eagle was lord of the skies. Down the centuries man has slowly destroyed the forest, and all that is left are a few remnants scattered through the highlands. The finest example by far, and one which exhibits much of the former glory of the ancient forest, is here at Rothiemurchus.
Information board at the start
Loch an EileinThis walk starts from the Loch an Eilien car parking area at the end of the B970 road from Inverdruie and minor road along Milton Burn. Loch an Eilien is reckoned to be one of the most beautiful smaller lochs in all of Scotland. The setting is sublime. It is in a sheltered and mild place, nestling comfortably between high wooded hills. The loch is named after the small island in the middle of the loch which bears the ruins of a 14th century castle. Follow the path around the west side of the loch from the car park, a walk through high pines. At the south side of the loch, after rounding the north side of Kennapole Hill, continue the walk with a circumnavigation of Loch Gamhna, the Loch of the Stirks.
Loch Gamhna
Rothiemurchus ForestLoch Gamhna is a beautiful stretch of water decorated with water lilies. Following the walk around Loch Gamhna the walk continues on the path on the east side of Loch an Eilien before leaving the waterside and climbing through Rothiemurchus Forest to Lochan Deo. This is the smallest of the three water features in this walk and also the highest at almost 1,000 feet above sea level. At this height the mountains of the Cairngorms spring into view. Braeriach, the third highest mountain in Britain is particularly prominent. From Lochan Deo the walk descends back through the forest to Balvattan where ancient farming methods, hut circles and field systems, were practiced. After a short walk along road a path leads through more woodland back to the car park at the start.
The Rothiemurchus Forest offers lots of opportunities to view the abundant local flora and fauna. Plants to be spotted include chickweed, wintergreen, creeping ladies tresses, twin flower and the rare St Olaf's candlestick. Birds to look out for include crested tit, crossbill, capercallie and buzzard. Ospreys and golden eagle are rare sights but should be somewhere around. Lower down, around Loch an Eilein are the usual suspects including chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, redpoll and woodpecker. Red foxes and wildcats stalk the forest by night. Also around are red squirrel, badger and pine martens.
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot.
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