Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

Loch an Eilein 2022-04-10 4.6 mile loop walk - 6.4 miles by end of day~!


Today was my choice for the Sunday hike. I chose Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus a few miles south of Aviemore, in the heart of the Cairngorms. It is an hour's drive to get there - about 40 miles from Rafford. Theoretically the loop round the loch and the small lochan to its south is 4.6 miles but we wound up by day's end to have done 6.4 miles. Easy walking nut muddy in places.
In the middle of…  (read more)

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

"Granny" Pines at Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchu…

"Granny" Pines at Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchu…

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 23
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 32
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 23
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 27
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 27
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.

Loch an Eilein near Rothiemurchus

10 Apr 2022 28
In the middle of the Loch, on what may be a natural island, are the ruins of a small 14th century castle. It was originally constructed as a place of refuge from thieves and threatening activities. The castle is said to have once been the property of Alexander Stewart the Wolf of Badenoch. The castle was the site of conflict. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle. Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant, held the castle against the Jacobites. The castle fell out of use in the late 18th century. Originally reached by a zig-zag causeway this is now hidden under the raised level of the loch's water. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the loch was used mainly for two things. On the banks of the loch there is a limestone kiln (See image below) where the limestone was collected from a rockface looking over the loch. Also loggers used the connecting river to float logs down to the wood-treating factories downstream. Rob Roy McGregor and other cattle rustlers used the loch, and one side of the loch is called 'Robbers Way'.