Loch an Eilein — the loch of the island, from the Gaelic — sits in the Rothiemurchus pinewood about five kilometres south of Aviemore, and it is the single most photographed place in the Cairngorms. A small irregular freshwater loch, ringed by ancient Scots pine, with a ruined castle on an island a few metres from the shore and the Cairngorm plateau rising behind.
The walk around it is just under five kilometres, almost entirely level, on a good track, and takes about ninety minutes at a stroll. For many visitors it is the best thing they do in the Highlands.
The ruin on the island is late medieval, probably fourteenth or fifteenth century, and was a stronghold associated with the Comyns and later the Grants of Rothiemurchus. It sits perhaps twenty metres offshore.
Local tradition holds that there was once a causeway, now submerged by the raising of the water level, and that in dry years it can be walked. The castle was defended successfully in 1690 by the widow of the laird against Jacobite forces retreating from the Battle of Cromdale — one of those stories that may be true and is certainly repeated.
You cannot land on the island. It is a nesting site and access is not permitted.
The circuit starts from the car park at the loch, where there is a small visitor point and, more recently, a farm shop. The track runs anticlockwise or clockwise round the water with the pines on one side and the loch on the other, crossing a bridge at the southern end where a second loch, Loch Gamhna, can be added as a longer loop.
Distance: about 4.5 kilometres for the main circuit; six with Loch Gamhna.
Time: ninety minutes at a stroll.
Surface: a good forest track with some rooty and stony sections. It is largely level and much of it is manageable with a robust pushchair, though it is not a surfaced accessible path.
Best light: early morning, when the loch is still and the castle reflects. Autumn, when the birch turns gold against the pine, is the season people photograph.
The pinewood around the loch holds red squirrels, crested tits, Scottish crossbills and, in summer, ospreys which fish here. Goldeneye breed on the loch. The island itself has been used by nesting birds, including at various times ospreys.
It is one of the best places in Britain to see pinewood specialists without walking far.
Swimming is permitted and people do it — the water is clear, shallow at the edges and extremely cold. There is a shingle beach near the car park.
By car: signposted from the B970 south of Inverdruie, with a charged car park at the loch.
By bike: the best option. Forest tracks run from Aviemore through Rothiemurchus to the loch, about five kilometres, and hire is available in the town.
On foot: around an hour and a quarter from Aviemore through the estate.
By bus: no direct service; walking or cycling from Aviemore is the usual approach.
Toilets and refreshments at the car park.
Midges from June to September in still weather near the water.
Dogs are welcome under close control — the wood holds ground-nesting birds and there is stock on the estate.
The loch is on the Rothiemurchus estate, which is a working estate; follow signs during forestry or stalking operations.
About 4.5 kilometres and ninety minutes, almost entirely level, or six kilometres if you add Loch Gamhna.
No. The island is a nesting site and landing is not permitted; the castle is seen from the shore.
The walk is. The car park at the loch is charged, and cycling out from Aviemore avoids it.
A robust one, for most of the circuit — it is level but rooty and stony in places, and it is not a surfaced accessible path.
Yes, and people do. The water is clear and very cold, with a shingle beach near the car park.