Loch Maree is 20 kilometers long and definitely one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland. It is the fourth largest fresh water loch in Scotland. The A832, starting in Kinlochewe, is the only road in the area and streches along the south side of the loch. On the north-side of the loch the impressive Slioch mountain can be found. A very steep mountain which rises 980 meters above loch Maree.
Just outside Kinlochewe is the Beinn Eighe mountain reserve. It has a visitor centre and two remarkable very well maintained trails. The woodland trail and the mountain trail. Both the walks pass through the remains of the great Caledonian forest. The Scotch Pines are of an outstanding beauty. They are very compact Bonsai-like trees and a walk through this forest is an unforgettable experience.
The tallest mountain of the Beinn Eighe reserve is 1009 meters. The views from the top of the mountain trail over Loch Maree and Wester Ross are absolutely stunning.
Picture Gallery
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Loch Maree is one of the last places in Scotland with remains of the old Caledonian Pine Forests. Here the Scotch Pines have grown for thousands of years, untouched and unspoilt.
The Beinn Eigh nature reserve offers two wonderful walks. The Woodland Trail wich will take you through these wonderful Pine-forests and the Mountain Trail. A 5 hour walk, hard at times, but worth every drop of sweat. The views are absolutely stunning.
Around every corner another stunning views appear over Loch Maree and the mountains on the other side of the Loch.
The path is not always clear but well marked with these cairns, so finding your way up isnt a difficult task.
The conservation cairn is to be found at the top of the Mountain Trail after a more than rewarding walk.
The view from the top towards Kinlochewe and Achnasheen.
View at Meall a'Ghiubhais, North of Beinn Eighe on the way back. The walk is a circular one so the returntrip is as a big a reward as the trip up.
One year later in the pooring rain on the woodland walk.
When the rain is pooring down the forest is a magic place.
The light and intensity of the rain changed every moment, leaving enough opportunities for pictures.
These Scotch Pines are amazing. So old, so beautiful, so compact.
Loch Maree from the Woodland Trail
And then it became even more dark, and it started to rain cats and dogs.
And with all that rainfall mosses grow almost everywhere, making the forest look like a mystical place.
This is what is left when a tree is cut. Wonderfully preserved.
Eerything lookes so fresh when it rains.
A wonderful old tree, looks like it's gonna walk away any moment.
The islands in Loch Maree with the remains of the ancient Pine Forests.
