Around 30,000 lochs are thought to exist in Scotland, ranging in size from enormous bodies of water to tiny lochans. The lochs of the land are an essential component of its wonderful geography, drawing in hordes of tourists and giving generations of Scots a location to engage in a variety of leisure activities. Below are Scotland’s top 10 largest by surface area.
1. Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is by far the largest loch in Scotland, covering a surface area of 71 square kilometers (although Loch Ness contains a great volume of water and Loch Morar is deeper).
The adjacent Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park served as Scotland’s first national park, and a number of towns, accommodations, and leisure facilities take advantage of the “bonnie banks.”
2. Loch Ness
Loch Ness is the second-largest loch in Scotland and has the most water in it, so it has plenty of room for Nessie to hide. Loch Ness is famous across the world for the monster that is said to be hiding beneath its surface.
3. Loch Awe
Loch Awe is Scotland’s third-largest loch, with a surface size of 38.5 square kilometers. It is also the longest; from end to end, it is 41 kilometers long. In addition to having several stunning ruined castles on islands that appeal to photographers, Loch Awe is well-liked by trout fishermen. The most popularly photographed castle is Kilchurn Castle, which is open for tours in the summer.
4. Loch Maree
Loch Maree in Wester Ross is ranked fourth in terms of surface area, with a total area of 28.6 square kilometers. The only instance of this geographical occurrence in the UK is on Eilean Sùbhainn, the island that is the largest on the loch.
5. Loch Morar
With a surface area of 26.7 square kilometers, Loch Morar barely makes it into the top 5 largest lochs in Scotland while being the deepest. The loch near Lochaber, in the Highlands, is said to be the dwelling place of Morag, Scotland’s second-most infamous aquatic monster.
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6. Loch Tay
Lake Tay covers 26.4 square kilometers and is located in both the Perth and Kinross Council and the Stirling Council regions. Archaeologists have discovered remains that date to the 8th and 7th millennia BC that show people formerly resided on the banks of the loch.
7. Loch Shin
The North West Highlands’ Loch Shin, the largest loch in Sutherland, with a surface size of 22.5 square kilometers. The hydroelectric project that included the construction of a dam in the 1950s elevated the level of the loch by about nine meters.
8. Loch Shiel
Loch Shiel has a number of breathtaking views, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glenfinnan Monument, which are located on its north bank. As the Black Lake in Harry Potter and the birthplace of Connor MacLeod in the Highlander movie series, the 19.5 square kilometer loch has left its impact on popular culture.
9. Loch Rannoch
Loch Rannoch, which is in Perth and Kinross, has a surface area of 19 square kilometers. The western loch banks extend into the untamed expanse of Rannoch Moor.
10. Loch Ericht
Loch Ericht, located in the far south of the Highlands and covering 18.6 square kilometers, rounds up our list of the ten largest lochs in Scotland by surface area. A hydroelectric project has both ends of the loch dammed.
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