Loch an Eilein

Loch an Eilein is a small loch on the Rothiemurchus estate 5 km south of Aviemore. The name comes from the gaelic 'loch of the island'.

In the late 18th early 19th century, the loch was used in the lime stone industry. There was a limestone kiln on the shore side with lime stone being collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Loggers also used the connecting river to float logs to wood treating factories down stream.

One side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way' due to it having been used by Rob Roy and other cattle rustlers.

In the middle of the Loch are ruins of a castle once a stronghold of the Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart Earl of Buchan, (1343 - 1405). Alexander was the third surviving son of King Robert II of Scotland and is remembered for his destruction of the royal burgh of Elgin and its cathedral. His nickname was earned due to his notorious cruelty and rapacity but there is no proof that it was used during his lifetime.

The Jacobite army retreating from Cromdale in 1690 besieged the castle. At this time the castle was connected to the shore by a causeway which was lost in the 18th century when the water level in the loch was raised.

MOH and I took the 3 mile forest walk around the loch taking in some fabulous scenery. The forest surrounding the loch is popular for recreation, but contains some of the most important wildlife in Europe, including the osprey, Scottish crossbill, capercaillie, and wild cat.

Backblipped with 22.4.13