Loch Tay

Loch Tay is a superb location for fantastic highland touring in Scotland. Breath taking scenery, majestic mountains, imposing castles and an abundance of wildlife will make your stay unforgettable.

Loch Tay is 14 miles long but as it only averages about one mile wide, it is only Scotland's sixth largest loch at 10.2 square miles (26.4 square km). The loch is fed at its eastern end by the rivers Dochart and Lochay and the river Tay starts at the western end at the village of Kenmore on its 120-mile journey to the sea (making it Scotland's longest).

Loch Tay doesn't have a monster (like the one reputed to inhabit Loch Ness) although anglers who go out during the fishing season keep hoping to catch a monster fish. Loch Tay has remained uncommercialised and tranquil, unlike some other areas of open water such Loch Earn, six miles to the south, which has lots of watersport activity. Loch Tay has nothing noisier than a few canoes which can be hired by visitors here.

Rising to 3984 feet above Loch Tay (1214 metres) Ben Lawers is the highest mountain in Perthshire but only the 9th highest in Scotland. But rising from Loch Tay and with neighbouring mountains almost as high, it is an important nature reserve and 19,000 acres are now administered by the National Trust for Scotland and the Nature Conservancy Council. Although its flora are protected from sheep, the increasing numbers of hill walkers attracted by relatively easy climbs and great views create other problems. There is an information centre on the Bridge of Balgie road with trails leading from there to the top.