The Scottish Lochs

The Scottish Lochs

There are hundreds of stunning lochs splashed like raindrops all over Scotland and exploring them all could take a lifetime - this is some of the most beautiful landscape in the British Isles. The lochs were formed during the last Ice Age, which sculpted this dramatic landscape in combination with ancient volcanic activity. Loch Lomond is the largest and contains the greatest area of fresh water in the British Isles. Its shores are lined with native oak woods and its waters are home to 17 native species of fish. Loch Lomond is the centerpiece of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It is 39 km (24 miles) long and incredibly beautiful. However, as it is so easily accessible from Glasgow, it is often very busy.

To the west of Loch Lomond, on the far side of the Cowal Peninsula, lies the sea loch Loch Fyne, which is renowned for its oysters and its sea fishing. A short distance north of the head of the loch is the Bentmore Botanic Garden. Affiliated with Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden it is particularly famous for its wonderful show of rhododendrons in the late spring.

The most famous loch, located in the Scottish Highlands, is, of course, Loch Ness, thanks to the Loch Ness monster, which was first mentioned by Saint Adomnan of Iona (627/8-704). Although the deep waters have been explored many times during the last 70 or so years, with up-to-the-minute technology, the monster has not been found.

To get there, it is best to travel by car so you can see as many lochs as possible and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The lochs of Scotland provide some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and are scattered around the Highlands of Scotland. You should not miss it when on vacation in Scotland.