Scotland’s waterways thread through glens, towns and mountain passes, shaping local history and everyday life. Whether you’re planning a road trip, birdwatching, or just curious about geography, a clear list makes it easy to spot the lakes you want to learn about.
There are 57 Lakes in Scotland, ranging from Duddingston Loch to St Mary’s Loch. For each lake we list Region,Surface area (km2),Max depth (m) — you’ll find below.
How should I read the columns and what do they mean?
Region indicates the administrative or commonly used area for the lake; Surface area (km2) is the approximate water-covered area in square kilometres; Max depth (m) is the deepest measured point in metres. Values come from mapping and survey sources and can vary slightly by method or season.
Can I visit these lakes and are there access or safety notes?
Many lochs are publicly accessible with paths and parking, but some lie on private land or have limited access — check local signage and access codes. Always wear suitable footwear, be cautious near steep or boggy shores, and respect wildlife; for remote lochs plan for changing weather and limited phone coverage.
Lakes in Scotland
| Name | Region | Surface area (km2) | Max depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loch Ness | Highlands | 56.4 | 227 |
| Loch Lomond | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 71 | 190 |
| Loch Morar | Lochaber, Highlands | 26.7 | 310 |
| Loch Awe | Argyll and Bute | 38.5 | 93.6 |
| Loch Maree | Wester Ross, Highlands | 28.6 | 114 |
| Loch Tay | Perth and Kinross | 26.4 | 150 |
| Loch Shiel | Lochaber, Highlands | 19.3 | 128 |
| Loch Katrine | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 12.4 | 151 |
| Loch Earn | Perth and Kinross | 9.5 | 87 |
| Loch Rannoch | Perth and Kinross | 19.1 | 134 |
| Loch Shin | Sutherland, Highlands | 22.5 | 49 |
| Loch Leven | Perth and Kinross | 13.3 | 25.5 |
| Loch Assynt | Sutherland, Highlands | 8.5 | 86 |
| Loch an Eilein | Cairngorms National Park | 0.57 | 25 |
| Loch Coruisk | Isle of Skye | 0.9 | 34 |
| Loch Arklet | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 3.3 | 67 |
| Loch Arkaig | Lochaber, Highlands | 16 | 109 |
| Loch Affric | Glen Affric, Highlands | 3.5 | 37 |
| Loch Benevean | Glen Affric, Highlands | 4.4 | 49 |
| Loch Carron | Wester Ross, Highlands | 13.8 | 73 |
| Loch Cluanie | Glen Shiel, Highlands | 13.6 | 79 |
| Loch Doon | East Ayrshire | 6.5 | 31 |
| Loch Eck | Argyll and Bute | 6.7 | 42 |
| Loch Ericht | Perth and Kinross / Highland | 18.6 | 156 |
| Loch Etive | Argyll and Bute | 27.5 | 150 |
| Loch Fannich | Ross and Cromarty, Highlands | 9.9 | 89 |
| Loch Garry | Highlands | 6.9 | 65 |
| Loch Garten | Cairngorms National Park | 0.6 | 5 |
| Loch Ken | Dumfries and Galloway | 4.6 | 24 |
| Loch Laggan | Highlands | 20.7 | 52 |
| Loch Lochy | Highlands | 16 | 162 |
| Loch Loyal | Sutherland, Highlands | 6.4 | 40 |
| Loch Lubnaig | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 2.2 | 44.5 |
| Loch Lyon | Perth and Kinross | 6.6 | 40 |
| Loch Morlich | Cairngorms National Park | 1.1 | 15 |
| Loch Muick | Aberdeenshire | 2.2 | 78 |
| Loch Oich | Highlands | 3.9 | 47 |
| Loch Quoich | Highlands | 11.3 | 86 |
| Loch Rusky | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 0.26 | 15 |
| Loch Scaven | Sutherland, Highlands | 1.4 | 47 |
| Loch Voil | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 3.6 | 30 |
| St Mary’s Loch | Scottish Borders | 2.7 | 46 |
| Lake of Menteith | Stirling | 2.6 | 23 |
| Loch Tummel | Perth and Kinross | 4.7 | 40 |
| Loch Venachar | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 3.7 | 33 |
| Loch Veyatie | Sutherland, Highlands | 6.1 | 36 |
| Loch Achray | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 1.2 | 32 |
| Loch Ard | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 2.5 | 32 |
| Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin | Glen Affric, Highlands | 6.1 | 56 |
| Loch Clunie | Perth and Kinross | 1.02 | 62 |
| Loch Duntelchaig | Highlands | 4.8 | 63 |
| Loch Glashen | Argyll and Bute | 2.2 | 29 |
| Loch Goil | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | 5.6 | 83 |
| Loch Langavat | Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides | 9.06 | 30 |
| Loch of Harray | Orkney Mainland | 9.7 | 4 |
| Loch of Stenness | Orkney Mainland | 5.8 | 5.2 |
| Duddingston Loch | Edinburgh | 0.08 | 3 |
Images and Descriptions
Loch Ness
World-famous for its legendary monster, “Nessie,” and immense water volume. This deep, mysterious loch is flanked by dramatic scenery and the historic ruins of Urquhart Castle, making it a premier destination for visitors exploring the Highlands.
Loch Lomond
The largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, dotted with numerous islands. Its accessible “bonnie banks” are popular for watersports, hiking, and cruises, all within easy reach of Glasgow, forming the heart of Scotland’s first national park.
Loch Morar
The deepest freshwater body in the British Isles, plunging to over 300 meters. Known for its pristine, clear waters and its own monster legend, “Morag,” it offers a sense of wild, remote beauty near the west coast village of Mallaig.
Loch Awe
Scotland’s longest freshwater loch, stretching for 41 km through stunning Argyll scenery. It’s renowned for its excellent trout fishing and the picturesque ruins of Kilchurn Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, located at its northern end.
Loch Maree
Often considered Scotland’s most beautiful loch, containing numerous islands forested with ancient Scots Pine. It is a National Nature Reserve, home to black-throated divers and sea eagles, with the impressive Slioch mountain providing a dramatic backdrop.
Loch Tay
A magnificent loch in the heart of Perthshire, flanked by Ben Lawers mountain. The area is rich in history, with evidence of prehistoric crannog dwellings, and is popular today for salmon fishing, watersports, and exploring nearby villages like Kenmore.
Loch Shiel
A stunning, unspoiled loch surrounded by mountains, famously featured in the Harry Potter films as the Black Lake. The Glenfinnan Monument at its head commemorates the 1745 Jacobite Rising, making it a site of both natural beauty and historical significance.
Loch Katrine
A stunningly beautiful loch in the Trossachs, famed for its association with Sir Walter Scott’s “The Lady of the Lake.” Visitors can enjoy a cruise on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott and appreciate the scenery that has inspired artists for centuries.
Loch Earn
Situated in the heart of the Trossachs, Loch Earn is a hub for watersports, including water-skiing and sailing. The scenic A85 road runs along its northern shore, offering beautiful views and access to villages like St Fillans and Lochearnhead.
Loch Rannoch
A large loch set in a dramatic Highland landscape at the heart of the Rannoch Moor. It’s a popular spot for fishing and walking, with the iconic peak of Schiehallion, the “fairy mountain,” visible from its shores, creating a classic Scottish vista.
Loch Shin
The largest loch in Sutherland, stretching northwest from the village of Lairg. It is a major part of a hydro-electric scheme but retains its wild character, offering excellent opportunities for angling in a remote and peaceful Highland setting.
Loch Leven
A shallow, lowland loch designated as a National Nature Reserve for its rich birdlife, especially wintering wildfowl. Loch Leven Castle, located on an island, is famous as the place where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned and abdicated in 1567.
Loch Assynt
A famously beautiful loch in the rugged northwest Highlands, surrounded by iconic mountains like Suilven and Quinag. The ruins of Ardvreck Castle on a rocky promontory add a historical focal point to the wild and dramatic landscape.
Loch an Eilein
A picturesque loch in the Cairngorms, renowned for its 13th-century island castle ruin nestled amongst ancient Caledonian pines. A gentle walking path circuits the loch, making it one of the most popular and scenic short walks in Scotland.
Loch Coruisk
A dramatic freshwater loch in the heart of the Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. Accessible mainly by boat trip from Elgol or a long, challenging hike, its stark and imposing beauty offers one of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring wilderness experiences.
Loch Arklet
A serene and remote-feeling loch situated between Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine. It serves as a reservoir for Glasgow but is surrounded by wild, empty moorland, offering peace and solitude for walkers exploring the hills of the Trossachs.
Loch Arkaig
A long, narrow loch in a remote and rugged part of Lochaber, surrounded by forests and mountains. It is steeped in Jacobite history, as the “Jacobite Treasure” was allegedly hidden here after the Battle of Culloden, and it is a haven for wildlife.
Loch Affric
Located in what is often called Scotland’s most beautiful glen, Loch Affric is surrounded by a magnificent remnant of the ancient Caledonian Forest. It’s a paradise for hikers and photographers, offering classic Highland scenery of water, pine, and mountain.
Loch Benevean
A stunning loch in Glen Affric, connected to Loch Affric by a river. Part of a hydro scheme, its beauty remains undiminished, with a scenic single-track road offering breathtaking views over the water and surrounding Caledonian pine forests.
Loch Carron
While the lower part is a sea loch, the upper freshwater section near Achnasheen is a distinct body of water. It sits in a broad glen, offering lovely Highland scenery and serves as a gateway to the more dramatic landscapes of Wester Ross.
Loch Cluanie
A large loch in the northwest Highlands, dammed for hydro-electric power, located on the main road to the Isle of Skye. It is surrounded by numerous Munros, making it a popular base for hillwalkers looking to explore the dramatic Kintail and Glen Shiel mountains.
Loch Doon
The largest inland loch in Southern Scotland, located in the Galloway Forest Park. The ruins of Loch Doon Castle, which was moved from an island before the water level was raised, now stand on the shore. It’s popular for fishing and stargazing.
Loch Eck
A long, narrow loch on the Cowal peninsula, set within the Argyll Forest Park. Flanked by steep hills, it’s known for its unique fish population, including the powan, a relic from the Ice Age. The Younger Botanic Garden is located nearby.
Loch Ericht
A remote and dramatic loch stretching over 23 km between Dalwhinnie and the southern highlands. Flanked by steep mountains, including the Ben Alder massif, it offers a true wilderness experience for committed hikers and anglers seeking solitude.
Loch Etive
While largely a sea loch, its upper reaches at the head of Glen Etive are primarily freshwater, fed by the River Etive. This section is famous for its dramatic mountain scenery, including the iconic Buachaille Etive Mòr, a favorite of photographers.
Loch Fannich
A large, remote loch in the Fannich mountains of Wester Ross, east of Loch Maree. Surrounded by a group of nine Munros, it is a wild and isolated spot, primarily visited by serious hillwalkers and anglers seeking a rugged Highland adventure.
Loch Garry
Located in the Great Glen, this loch is famous for its distinctive shape, which from the right viewpoint resembles a map of Scotland. It is part of a hydro-electric scheme but offers stunning roadside views on the route to Skye.
Loch Garten
Famous for being the site where ospreys first returned to breed in Scotland in the 1950s. The RSPB’s Loch Garten Nature Centre provides excellent opportunities to view these magnificent birds and other local wildlife, including red squirrels and crested tits.
Loch Ken
A nine-mile-long loch at the heart of the Galloway hydro-electric scheme. It is a major centre for watersports, including sailing and water-skiing, and the surrounding area offers excellent birdwatching, particularly for red kites and wintering geese.
Loch Laggan
A large freshwater loch in the heart of the Highlands, featuring the largest freshwater beach in the British Isles on its northern shore. The area was a filming location for the TV series “Monarch of the Glen,” with Ardverikie House serving as Glenbogle.
Loch Lochy
Part of the chain of lochs forming the Caledonian Canal, this large, deep loch is nestled between steep mountains in the Great Glen. It’s a popular route for boating traffic and offers dramatic scenery for walkers on the Great Glen Way.
Loch Loyal
A stunningly beautiful loch in the far north of Scotland, with the dramatic peak of Ben Loyal, the “Queen of Scottish Mountains,” rising from its western shore. It is a pristine and quiet spot, perfect for fishing and appreciating wild landscapes.
Loch Lubnaig
A picturesque, narrow loch nestled between Ben Ledi and Ben Vane in the Trossachs. Its name means “crooked loch” in Gaelic, and it’s a very popular spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and wild camping, with easy access from Callander.
Loch Lyon
A remote and beautiful loch at the head of Glen Lyon, often described as Scotland’s longest and loneliest glen. Its level was raised by a dam, but it retains a wild character, surrounded by high mountains and frequented by golden eagles.
Loch Morlich
A stunning loch nestled at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, famous for its sandy beach and surrounding ancient pine forest. It’s a major hub for watersports, with a watersports centre and safe, shallow waters making it ideal for families.
Loch Muick
A scenic loch located on the Balmoral Estate in the Cairngorms, surrounded by hills and home to Glas-allt-Shiel, a lodge built for Queen Victoria. The area is a haven for wildlife, including red deer and red grouse, and offers excellent walking routes.
Loch Oich
The smallest and highest of the three lochs in the Great Glen that form the Caledonian Canal. It’s a tranquil and scenic spot, popular with boaters and anglers, with the ruins of Invergarry Castle overlooking its waters.
Loch Quoich
A large, remote loch in the western Highlands, west of Loch Garry. Part of a hydro scheme, its shoreline is indented and complex. It sits in a wild area surrounded by Munros, providing a dramatic backdrop for those seeking solitude and adventure.
Loch Rusky
A small, serene loch in the Trossachs, often called “Loch an Rusgaidh” in Gaelic. It is well-known to anglers for its excellent fly fishing for trout in a peaceful and picturesque setting, reflecting the surrounding woodlands.
Loch Scaven
A remote and beautiful loch in the far north of Scotland, nestled amongst the rugged landscape of Sutherland. It offers excellent trout fishing in a wild, unspoiled environment, embodying the quiet and vast nature of this part of the Highlands.
Loch Voil
A beautiful freshwater loch in Balquhidder Glen, famous as the final resting place of Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, whose grave is in the local churchyard. The loch is flanked by impressive mountains and offers serene walks and fishing.
St Mary’s Loch
The largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders, set in a beautiful, rolling landscape. It’s a popular spot for sailing and fishing, and is connected to the smaller Loch of the Lowes. The area is rich in literary history, associated with James Hogg and Sir Walter Scott.
Lake of Menteith
Scotland’s only natural body of water referred to as a “lake” rather than a “loch.” This serene lake is famous for Inchmahome Priory, an ancient monastery on an island that once gave refuge to a young Mary Queen of Scots.
Loch Tummel
A long, narrow loch in Perthshire, renowned for the stunning view from Queen’s View viewpoint, a panorama famously enjoyed by Queen Victoria. The area is particularly beautiful in autumn when the surrounding forests display vibrant colours.
Loch Venachar
A picturesque loch in the Trossachs near Callander, popular for sailing, fishing, and walking. Its shores provide gentle cycling routes and picnic spots with wonderful views of the surrounding hills, including the prominent peak of Ben Ledi.
Loch Veyatie
A long, irregularly shaped loch in the rugged Assynt region of the northwest Highlands. It offers spectacular views of the iconic mountain Suilven and is connected to other lochs, forming a popular and challenging canoe trail for experienced paddlers.
Loch Achray
A small but exceptionally scenic loch nestled at the heart of the Trossachs, between Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar. Surrounded by forests and mountains like Ben A’an and Ben Venue, it is a perfect jewel in a landscape beloved by artists.
Loch Ard
A beautiful and complex loch near Aberfoyle in the Trossachs, with several small islands and bays. It’s a popular centre for watersports, walking, and cycling, with a well-maintained network of forest trails surrounding its picturesque shores.
Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin
A stunning loch in the beautiful Glen Affric, characterized by its long, finger-like shape and numerous wooded islands. Part of a hydro scheme, it retains its natural beauty and offers breathtaking views from the scenic road that runs along its length.
Loch Clunie
A small, rich lowland loch near Blairgowrie, notable for the well-preserved medieval tower house built on a crannog (artificial island) close to its western shore. The loch is popular for fishing and offers a tranquil, historic setting.
Loch Duntelchaig
A large, irregular-shaped loch located in the hills southeast of Loch Ness. It is part of the water supply for Inverness but offers a wild and remote feel, with excellent pike and trout fishing in a classic, rugged Highland landscape.
Loch Glashen
A scenic loch in Mid Argyll, near the site of Dunadd, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dál Riata. Its level was raised for hydro power, but it is surrounded by forests and hills, offering peaceful walks and fishing opportunities.
Loch Goil
Although the lower part is a sea loch, the head of Loch Goil near Lochgoilhead is largely freshwater influenced. It is a deep, fjord-like loch surrounded by the steep mountains of the Argyll Forest Park, offering dramatic scenery and watersports.
Loch Langavat
The largest body of fresh water in the Outer Hebrides, this long, narrow loch stretches for over 11 km across the Isle of Lewis. It is a wild and remote spot, famous for its excellent salmon and trout fishing in a vast, open moorland landscape.
Loch of Harray
The largest loch in Orkney, this shallow, brackish body of water is connected to the sea via the Loch of Stenness. It is famous for its brown trout fishing and its proximity to Neolithic sites like the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness.
Loch of Stenness
A large tidal, brackish loch on the Orkney mainland, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Flanked by the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness, it is a place of immense archaeological importance and atmospheric beauty.
Duddingston Loch
A shallow, nutrient-rich loch situated in Holyrood Park at the foot of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. It is a nature reserve known for its abundant birdlife and is famous as the setting for Henry Raeburn’s painting, “The Skating Minister.”
