Top 20 Lakes In Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire offers several popular walking trails around its lochs. A notable one is the circular route around Loch Muick, which is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) long and provides excellent views of surrounding Munros. Another family-friendly option is the circular walk around Loch Kinord, known for its well-marked paths. For a more challenging experience, Loch Brandy offers a steep but well-maintained path with circuit options.

Aberdeenshire's lochs are rich in diverse wildlife. Around Loch Muick, you might spot red deer, roe deer, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles. Loch Kinord is home to pike, otters, goldeneyes, and migrating geese. The Loch of Skene is particularly important for birds, attracting large numbers of wildfowl, including internationally important numbers of greylag geese and wintering goldeneye, along with otters.

Yes, several lochs have historical significance. On the northern shore of Loch Muick, you can find Glas-Allt Shiel, a lodge built by Queen Victoria. Loch Kinord features an Iron Age crannog and a 9th-century Pictish cross slab (the Kinord Stone) on its north shore. Near the Loch of Skene, historic sites like Castle Fraser are also accessible.

The best time to visit Aberdeenshire's lakes largely depends on your interests. Summer offers vibrant heather moorlands and pleasant conditions for walking and paddle sports. Autumn brings spectacular colors and is excellent for wildlife spotting, especially migrating birds at places like the Loch of Skene. While winter hiking is possible, be prepared for colder conditions and potential snow, particularly in higher areas like Loch Muick and Loch Callater.

Absolutely. Loch Kinord offers a family-friendly circular walking route, perfect for birdwatching and spotting wildlife. The Forvie National Nature Reserve Visitor Centre is also listed as family-friendly and provides access to trails near the River Ythan estuary, which connects to coastal areas.

Parking is generally available at popular loch destinations. For Loch Muick, there is a visitor centre and car park, though charges may apply. For Loch Kinord, you can find easily accessible parking either in Dinnet or at the Muir of Dinnet NNR visitor centre car park. The Spittal of Glen Muick also has a car park, with charges, serving as a starting point for walks around Loch Muick.

Beyond walking and hiking, you can enjoy various outdoor activities. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on lochs like Loch Muick and Loch Kinord. The Loch of Skene offers sport fishing (pike and trout) and sailing between April and June. For those interested in running, there are running trails in Aberdeenshire, including a moderate loop around Loch Muick. Mountain biking and gravel biking routes are also available, such as those found in the MTB Trails in Aberdeenshire guide.

Yes, for those undertaking longer hikes, there is Callater Stable, a bothy (a simple mountain shelter) located at the north end of Loch Callater. It provides a free place for hikers to rest or stay overnight, offering a rustic experience in a mountainous setting.

Loch Callater is an upland freshwater loch situated about 5 miles (8 km) south of Braemar. It is a long, narrow loch, approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) in length, encircled by steep hills. Its clear, cool waters are home to trout, salmon, eels, and perch, though a permit is required for fishing. It's a popular destination for tranquil walks through heathered valleys.

The Loch of Skene is a shallow, nutrient-rich loch fringed by reedbeds and willow carr, making it a significant site for wildlife, particularly birds. It attracts large numbers of wildfowl and common gulls in autumn and winter, including internationally important numbers of greylag geese and nationally important numbers of wintering goldeneye. Due to its ecological importance, it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), and a Ramsar site.

While wild swimming is a popular activity in Scotland, specific regulations and safety considerations apply to individual lochs. For example, the Spittal of Glen Muick, near Loch Muick, is mentioned as a potential spot for a swim. Always check local guidelines, water quality, and conditions before entering the water, and prioritize safety.

The terrain around Aberdeenshire's lochs varies significantly. Trails can range from well-maintained gravel paths, such as those around Loch Kinord, to more rugged and rocky single tracks, especially on the lochside sections of trails like the Builg Burn Trail to the Loch. Some areas, particularly in the Highlands, can be boggy in sections, especially after rain or snowmelt. Expect undulating land rover tracks and steep ascents in mountainous areas like Loch Brandy.