10 Highlights of Loch Maree

10 –  Fourth Largest Freshwater Loch, Loch Maree

Loch Maree is the 4^th largest freshwater loch in Scotland. It is home to more than 60 islands with pristine water and beaches. There are also great views of Slioch and the other Torridon mountains.

9 – Sea Eagles on Loch Maree

Sea Eagles were a common sight across Scotland during the 19th century until persecution drove them to UK extinction. Sea eagles were reintroduced at Loch Maree in Wester Ross between 1993 and 1998. These birds have established an increasing breeding population on the west coast of Scotland.

8 – Isle Maree

Isle Maree is a tiny, wooded island on Loch Maree. Isle Maree may be one of the smallest islands on the loch, but it holds an amazing amount of history and some wonderful legends. The island has been used as a religious site by Christians and Pagans and there are clues that it was even an important Druid site.

7 – Caledonian Forest of Loch Maree

Loch Maree is home to pristine Caledonian Forest. This ancient forest is about 10,000 years old and was once widespread throughout Scotland. It now only exists in small remnants and Loch Maree is one of the few places where it remains.

6 – Queen Victoria on Loch Maree

Queen Victoria stayed at the  Loch Maree Hotel  in September 1877. Queen Victoria visited Isle Maree and read a short sermon to her Gairloch gillies, she then fixed her offering in the wishing-tree, a pleasantry which many visitors to the island repeat.

5 – Eilean subhain

Eilean subhain is a special island, the island is large and beautiful but its claim to fame is that on the island there is a loch with an island. That makes that an island in a loch that is on an island which is on a loch which is on an island. This is the only place in the UK where this has occurred.

4 – Black Throated Divers

Loch Maree is a good place to spot rare Black Throated Divers. They are easily disturbed when breeding and their vulnerability to marine pollution make them a vulnerable as well as rare breeding species.

3 – Letterewe Lodge

Letterewe Lodge is a grand self-catered lodge that used to be a hunting lodge. It stands on the Letterewe Estate which takes up 43,000 acers of land.

2 – Fantastic Geology

Loch Maree hosts some fantastic geology and is home to two amazing types of rock. Those being Lewisian Gneiss and Torridonian Sandstone. These two rocks are separated by a giant faultline which also gives loch Maree much of its depth.

1 – Award Winning Canoeing

The best way to enjoy loch Maree is Canoeing with Gairloch Kayak Centre. Spend the day from 10 till 4 with an expert local guide who will show you the secrets of this famous loch Explore the 60+ islands steeped in history and nature.

For those who would like to canoe around Loch Maree and it’s amazing islands we can organise a tour at Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre – Book a Loch Maree canoe trip.