50+ Best Lochs in Scotland (Most scenic) – Map + Photos

Scotland is a magnificent part of the world. One of the reasons is that it sparkles with more than 35000 lakes of various sizes.
In this article, discover 50+ of the best lochs in Scotland including my own choice for the 10 most beautiful Scottish Lochs list.
And with photos to inspire your next trip!

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About the lochs of Scotland - Facts

The photos of the best lochs in Scotland start after this section. But here are a few basic facts to know about the Scottish Lochs:

• A loch mean lake or fjord in Scottish Gaelic
• Lochs are bodies of water going inland.
• Lochans are small lochs
• Lochs can be closed and containing freshwater - or - open to the sea and subject to tides
• Reservoirs can retain the name loch where they were just modified
• How many lochs in the Scotland? According to Wikipedia, there are more than 30000 freshwater lochs and lochans in Scotland.

Let's start right away with photos of my selection of the best Scottish lochs, and by best I mean the most scenic, the most breathtaking...

1. Loch Leven (Glencoe)

Located in the Glencoe area, Loch Leven is often overlooked as the main road goes on a bridge over it. However I strongly recommend taking the road going all the way around it. Some of the higher summits of Scotland are located in this area, and many stops offer beautiful views. For me, it was without contest the best loch in Scotland. (Note that a smaller Loch Leven exists also in the East of Scotland, do not mix them up)

Many Photos and Planning info on the Loch Leven article

Loch Shiel is a famous stop in Scotland on the 'Road to the isles'. This long lake is overseen by the Glenfinnan monument. There is an easy path to a great viewpoint which also allows you to see the Glenfinnan viaduct (made famous by the Harry Potter movies)

More Photos and Planning info on the Road to the isles article.

4. Loch Duich

North of the Isle of Skye, past all the famous sites of Storr, Kilt Rock and Quiraing, lies hidden from the road the small loch Langaig. The lake has nothing special but the stunning ridge behind made me select it as one of the best lochs in Scotland. The view was really magnificent.

In the Wester Ross region, North West of Scotland, Loch Maree is a long loch niched in the mountains. The road even takes you higher with nice views of the valley.

More Photos and Planning info on the Loch Maree article.

Driving towards the Northern shore of Scotland, I was amazed by the scenery of the Deep Freeze Mountains with the many lochs spotting the area.

Almost 10km long, Loch Assynt is a freshwater loch, North West of Scotland. This remote region offers stunning landscapes as well. This lake has high summits and small islands with few trees. Quite intriguing.

More Photos and Planning info on the Coigach-Assynt reserve article. (also for the deep freeze mountains lochs #9)

Regarding the choice of the best lochs in Scotland

• As you can imagine I have not seen all the lochs of Scotland but I have seen many and planned my trip based on research to see as many as possible of the most scenic ones.
• This list of Scottish lochs include those accessible by car (except 1 by boat). Other lochs are more remote and only be seen when hiking. They must be spectacular too.
• I recognized that I may have misjudge a couple if the weather was not good but generally I had great weather and was able to admire them all in great conditions

Map of Scottish Lochs

It is not possible to create a map with all those lochs that can been seen as a 1 page. But I did a light version for you with the Top 20 listed above and below. Here is your map of the Scottish Lochs :

Let's continue in picture with a selection of 10 other lochs which are quite famous in Scotland even if their names are not...

11. Loch Leathan

The name is not familiar, but because of its location, Loch Leathan is quite famous. As you can see it is a the foot of the Trotternish ridge with amazing views of the Old Man of Storr.

More Photos and Planning info on the Old Man of Storr article.

12. Loch Lomond

Located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park, loch Lomond is very well-know as it is easily accessed from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Many activities have developed around the loch. Wide to the South, I prefer the narrower North section making it more scenic.

More Photos and Planning info on the Loch Lomond article.

The other main lochs in the Trossachs is Loch Katrine. It is not the most spectacular but it was made famous by the Sir Walter Scott steamship, which has been cruising its water for more than a century.

More Photos and Planning info on the Cruising Loch Katrine article.

Maybe the most famous lochs in Scotland by name, the Loch Ness attracts the highest number of tourists intrigues by the legend of the Nessie Monster. Just be aware that in terms of landscape it is not very impressive. the loch is quite large and the surrounding summits not high.

More Photos and Planning info on the Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle article.

Most people don't remember its name, but Loch Tulla is photographed a lot. As you drive on the best road in Scotland A82 through Glencoe towards the isle of Skye, a viewpoint is clearly indicate with a large parking. Hence everybody stops and photograph loch Tulla.

Again, this one is not very famous by name but being on the road to access the isle of Skye, everyone gets really excited as they drive along Loch Alsh. On a clear day, like on the photo above, you can clearly see the summits of the isle of Skye behind the Skye bridge.

More Photos and Planning info on the Road to Skye article.

17. Loch Awe

Located in the Argyll region, Loch Awe deserves its name. Towering summits and castle at one end and peaceful forest at the other, loch Awe has a lot to offer.

More Photos and Planning info on the Loch Awe article.

18. Loch Broom

With the small town of Ullapool on a promontory in the middle, Loch Broom is considered one of the best lochs in Scotland by photographers.

19. Loch of Stenness

No summits or incredible landscapes around Loch Stenness on the Orkney islands. But the place is of historical importance and home to major Unesco sites including the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Quite magical.

Learn more about the site on the Standing Stones of Stenness article.

20. Loch Tummel

More Beautiful Lochs in Scotland

Before I share pictures of more than 30 other lochs in Scotland :

• Scotland is cut in half by the Great Glen. A series of natural and man-made lochs along a line between Inverness and Fort Williams.
• The next lochs of Scotland have been gathered by geography (North or South of the Great Glen) in no particular order.

Don't miss any of them. The last ones are also beautiful!

The Loch Ness, introduced earlier in this article, also lays on the Great Glen, towards the North and Inverness.

On the isle of Skye

On the isle of Skye

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