Loch an Eilein ......

......... is a small loch on the Rothiemurchus estate about 5 km south of Aviemore. The name Loch an Eilein comes from the gaelic 'loch of the island'.

We headed over to walk around the loch, as it is a favourite walk, not hard and not long, but very beautiful. The castle on the island is my blip for today. The castle was once a stronghold of the Wolf of Badenoch who died around the turn of the 15th century. The Jacobites, retreating from Cromdale in 1690, besieged the castle, led by Dame Grizel Mor Grant, widow of the fifth laird Grant. At this time the castle was connected to the shore by a causeway. The causeway was lost when the water level in the loch was raised in the 18th century.

After walking around the loch, we ate our sandwiches sitting on the shore, and watching the various families and walkers, as it was quite busy. There were several dogs keeping cool in the loch also, as it was a very warm and sunny day.

After lunch we made for Loch Insch to check out a route, and then headed home, with a break for fish and chips in Dunkeld.

So ended a great trip!!!