Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus

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Loch an Eilein is an extremely beautiful sheet of water, reflecting the magnificent pines of Rothiemurchus Forest in which it lies; a ruined island castle is the final touch to help make this one of the most popular short walks in Scotland. The route is described here with an optional extension around the quieter Loch Gamhna; another possible extension is to ascend Ord Ban for wonderful views.

Terrain

Good footpaths round Loch an Eilein; the optional extension around Loch Gamhna is muddy in places and is not maintained.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Loch an Eilein car park (charge per person). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park at the end of the minor road to the loch - with a per-person parking charge. Near the wooden booth are several bird-feeders which regularly attract crested tits, amongst other birds, as well as red squirrels. Begin the walk by taking the path from the far end of the car park - signed 'Loch an Eilein'. After passing some interpretative panels the path passes through a gap in the wall and turns left, but you can visit the information centre in the white building to the right. Take the path which skirts the shores of the loch to the left, for a clockwise circuit. The path soon crosses the loch outflow on a small footbridge before climbing up a little through the pinewoods.

Stage 2

Pass a white cottage and further on go through the gate. Continue on the main path, ignoring a smaller path which forks off to the left; further on the route crosses another bridge and forks once more. The left branch is signed for 'Lairig Ghru and Glen Einich'; to continue the lochside trail, keep right. The path soon comes closer to the loch once more, so you can enjoy the stunning forest setting.

Stage 3

Most of the pinewoods are mature, but now the route passes through a clearer area with young, scattered trees. When the path comes close to a section of fence on the right and a path goes off to the left next to a fire-beater, you need to decide whether you wish to include Loch Gamhna in your walk. Omitting it avoids a muddy section and cuts about 45 minutes off the walk; to do this continue ahead, soon crossing a footbridge. Otherwise, turn left.

Stage 4

Loch Gamhna can be seen over to the right, backed by the bare Creag an Fhitheach (crag of the raven). Soon the path forks; the larger path is the left fork but this heads off towards Glen Feshie, so take the smaller right hand fork. Soon it comes close to the shores of Loch Gamha, and rounds the head of the loch. This is the section that is often muddy.

Stage 5

The path now swings right to follow the far shores of the loch for the way back, passing some more fabulous pinewoods - there are many so-called 'granny pines' on this section, the name indicating trees with many thick trunks; such trees are usually hundreds of years old. Further on the path meets a bigger route at a T-junction; this is where the main Loch an Eilein circuit is rejoined. Turn left here, soon with views of Loch an Eilein over to the right.

Stage 6

Continue to a junction; turn right here (signed 'footpath'). You are now on the final stretch close to Loch an Eilein; soon you will reach a gate and pass in front of the idyllically-situated Loch an Eilein cottage. Just offshore here is the island that gives the loch its name, crowned with a ruined castle. When ospreys were driven to extinction by the Victorians, the island castle was the site of one of the last eyries; unfortunately, although ospreys have returned to Scotland, they have not recolonised their old nesting site here.

Stage 7

Continue on the track to return to the visitor centre and the car park.

Stage 8

Another possible extension - short but rough and strenuous - is to ascend Ord Ban. At the opposite (NE) corner of the car park is a small barn. Behind this is a gate - often locked but with a tall, awkward stile alongside it. Cross this, then follow a grassy path left. At a fork go right, then follow the line of an old path - now a little overgrown - which zig-zags up through the trees. Once above the tree line it curves right, ascends a short rocky scramble and then continues to the top of Ord Ban - a wonderful viewpoint. The return is the same way - note that this detour would be Grade 2 and is not shown on our route map or included in times and distances given.

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