Scotland's most 'beautiful' loch named - and it isn't loch ness or loch lomond

THE ICONIC EILEAN DONAN CASTLE WAS SINGLED OUT AS A HIGHLIGHT. 15:59, 20 May 2025 A Scottish loch has been named the number one most "beautiful" in the country. It has been praised

for its stunning views and idyllic walks. Scotland is home to many lochs, both big and small. Loch Ness and Loch Lomond are the most well-known but there are tens of thousands of lochs

dotted around the country. VisitScotland has shared a list of "13 beautiful lochs in Scotland" that offer opportunities for water sports, hikes, wildlife watching, and more. Coming

in at number one on the list is Loch Alsh. Situated between the Northwest Highlands and the Isle of Skye, Loch Alsh is a sea inlet. It is located near the Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye

Bridge. VisitScotland singled Loch Alsh for the nearby landmark of Eilean Donan Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and sits on a tiny tidal island at the confluence of Loch

Alsh, Loch Duich, and Loch Long. Eilean Donan Castle is among the most photographed castles in the world. It has become an iconic symbol of Scotland, appearing on countless biscuit tins and

calendars. Article continues below The tourism board also praised Loch Alsh for its wildlife spotting opportunities. According to VisitScotland, stags and squirrels are just two of the

animals that can be spotted on walks around the loch. VisitScotland wrote: "Loch Alsh can be found on the west coast of Scotland and sits between the mainland and the Isle of Skye. To

the west of the loch, you’ll find the Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge that connects the island to the mainland. "At the east side, Loch Alsh borders Loch Duich, and here you’ll

find one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks—Eilean Donan Castle. A land that is home to a rich history, clans, castles, wildlife, and dramatic scenery, you’ve got a whole new world to

explore on your doorstep. "Venture along the trails and routes nearby, keep an eye out for stags and squirrels, or hop further afield to Scotland’s mesmerising islands." Loch Alsh

hasn't just received acclaim from VisitScotland, but also previous visitors. At the moment, the loch has an overall rating of 4.7 out of five on Google based on 63 reviews. One tourist

shared: "Beautiful spot. Skye bridge is pretty impressive and the castle on the islet is very picturesque." "One of the best natural views in Scotland," a second Google

user wrote, while a third agreed: "Spoilt for views on this beautiful sea loch in the way to Skye." READ MORE: Former Scottish lighthouse with 'breathtaking' observation

deck for sale Elsewhere, Loch Fyne in Inveraray was named at number two on Visit Scotland's list of "beautiful" lochs. The loch was praised for its walking trails and marine

wildlife. Coming in at number three on the experts' list is Lock Eck on the Cowal Peninsula, which was described as "mesmerising". Rounding out the top five are Loch Earn and

Loch Tay, both found in Perthshire. Article continues below For the full list of the "13 beautiful lochs in Scotland", see the VisitScotland website.