Category: Aviemore Cairngorms

Loch Ericht (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eireachd) is a freshwater loch on the border between Perth and Kinross and the Highlands with a north-east to south-west orientation.  The village of Dalwhinnie lies at the north east end of the loch and it is the tenth largest freshwater lake in Scotland.  Loch Ericht is surrounded by a number of Munros, including Ben Alder (1148 metres) and Geal-Chàrn (1132 metres). So what???  Well, take a loch surrounded by mountains and you have a great recipe for adventure lovers.  We've been getting more and more enquiries about canoe hire for this location and it seems there is more to it than meets the eye. Access to Loch Ericht for the explorer is easy, with great road and rail links leading to Dalwhinnie.  Accessing the water is pretty straightforward from there.  It does have a bit of a reputation for being a bit like a wind-tunnel, so if you are planning a trip, it's best to keep this in mind and have someone with paddling experience in your group.  Headwinds are hard-work, although the journey back could make up for it, particularly with a canoe sail in your expedition kit. Once you get on the water, the chances are that you'll need to camp at least one night if making your way to the far end of the loch.  There are some infrequent little bays to put your tent up and help shelter you from the wind (if there is any). At its southern-most point the Loch starts draining down towards Loch Rannoch and the Tay System (while it makes its way to the River Spey from the northern end at the same time).  However, before you reach that point you pass what is likely to be the most popular stop-off point at Alder Bay.