How big is Loch Maree and where is it in Scotland?

Loch Maree is about 20-22 kilometres (roughly 13 miles) long in Wester Ross, making it the fourth-largest freshwater loch in Scotland by surface area. It sits between Kinlochewe at the southeastern end and Poolewe to the northwest.

Can you visit the islands on Loch Maree?

You can kayak or canoe close to the islands to see them. Isle Maree itself is a Scheduled Monument with protected woodland, so landing is possible but requires care—check current restrictions before visiting.

Are there ancient forests around Loch Maree?

Yes, the Letterewe and Fisherfield forests on the southern shore contain some of Scotland's last remaining Caledonian pinewoods. Coille na Glas Leitire is one of the largest protected fragments of these ancient forests that once covered much of the Highlands.

Not Just Loch Ness

Loch Maree: When Five Islands Had a Saint, a Viking, and a Cure for Insanity

Loch Maree's islands once hosted a monastery, a Viking burial, and a holy well where the insane were dunked then tied to a tree overnight. The fourth-largest freshwater loch in Scotland comes with 60 islands, ancient oaks, and a treatment regime that definitely wouldn't pass modern ethics.

10 October 20267 min read