With over 30,000 Scottish lochs, you’re almost certain to enjoy seeing at least some on a visit to Scotland. ‘Loch’ is from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning lake and has generally been adopted in English to apply to lakes in Scotland. While many are small or remote, there are dozens of magnificent lochs which are easily accessible and well worth a visit. Here’s a handful of our favourites!

Loch Ness – home of the legendary monster! © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Loch Ness

Perhaps the most famous Scottish loch is Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland, known around the world for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie, as the monster is affectionately known, is said to inhabit the depths of the loch and it is almost impossible to visit without trying to spot the creature! By volume, Loch Ness is the largest lake in Great Britain - it contains more water than all the English and Welsh lakes put together. Loch Ness is also a place of magical beauty, with the imposing ruins of Urquhart Castle adding to the romance.

The imposing ruins of Urquhart Castle overlook Loch Ness © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Loch Lomond

Close to Glasgow, on the boundary between the lowlands of Scotland and the Highlands, Loch Lomond is the most visited loch in Scotland. As the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, there is plenty of opportunity to explore the loch and the surrounding National Park away from the busier tourist spots. Take a boat trip, climb the hills and mountains for incredible views, or enjoy an array of watersports. With over 22 islands and 27 islets in the loch, there really is a kaleidoscope of spectacular panoramas to enjoy!

Loch Lomond © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Loch Awe

Awe by name, awe by nature! Loch Awe is a place of magical, unspoilt beauty in the west of Scotland, close to the popular coastal town of Oban. At over 25 miles (41 km) long, Loch Awe is the longest Scottish loch and is characterised by heavily wooded hillsides, exposed hill tops, rocky shores and ruined castles. Iconic Kilchurn Castle at the head of the loch, which dates back to the 15th century, was once a Clan Campbell stronghold and according to Lonely Planet enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings.

Kilchurn Castle on the banks of Loch Awe © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Loch Fyne

On the west coast of Scotland there are many spectacular fjord-like sea lochs and the longest of these is Loch Fyne. Located in the picturesque Argyll and Bute region, the area around Loch Fyne is renowned for its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. The loch itself is famous for its oysters and Loch Fyne Restaurant and Oyster Bar is the place to go for delicious Scottish seafood. The region also boasts distilleries, breweries and a number of fine restaurants. Inverary Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne is one of Scotland’s finest stately homes, set in 16 acres of landscaped gardens.

Loch Fyne at sunset © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Loch Katrine

Nestled in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Loch Katrine has long inspired literary figures including Sir Walter Scott, who wrote his well-known poem Lady of the Lake after visiting in 1810. Queen Victoria famously sailed up the loch in 1869 and visitors can follow in her footsteps to this day on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott. Fans of historical TV drama Outlander can explore the banks of Loch Katrine which was used as a filming location in season two. The name Loch Katrine comes from the Gaelic word for robber and the most famous of these, folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, was born on the loch’s northern shores.

Loch Katrine © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Loch Maree

Tucked away in the north west Highlands is beautiful Loch Maree, the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland and the largest north of Loch Ness. One of Scotland's loveliest lochs, Loch Maree is popular for fishing and wildlife watching. The area is also very popular with hill walkers. For many people, their first view of the loch is from Glen Docherty, and the iconic vista of the loch, its islands and the craggy peak of Slioch mountain is unforgettable. The Loch Maree Islands, a group of more than 40 scattered islands on the loch, are home to one of the last remaining fragments of ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, and tiny Isle Maree itself was once a Christian and pagan religious site.

Loch Maree © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Loch Affric

Glen Affric is regarded by many as Scotland's most beautiful glen and this magical wild place is home to not one but two spectacular lochs: Loch Affric and its neighbour Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin. Just 17 miles (27 km) north west of Loch Ness, Glen Affric feels a world away from the popular tourist loch. Hemmed in by mountains, a track around the loch leads through ancient pinewoods and open landscape and is ideal for walking, mountain biking and wildlife spotting, with golden eagles, ospreys, red deer and red squirrels to be seen. The area is also popular with anglers, paddlers and hikers.

Loch Affric in autumn © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

If you or your group would like to explore the glorious lochs of Scotland on a tailor-made tour, please do contact our friendly team today.