Loch Muick

Loch Muick lies eight kilometres south of Braemar in Aberdeenshire, at the head of Glen Muick. This upland freshwater loch stretches for 3.5 kilometres in a southwest to northeast direction. Steep hills rise on both sides of the water, fed by small streams such as Allt an dubh Loch from the west. The loch’s outflow forms the River Muick, and its name is pronounced ‘mick’. In 1905 the loch was surveyed by T.N. Johnston and L.W. Collet as part of a wider scientific project. The loch supports a variety of wildlife including red squirrels, red deer, oystercatchers, salmon and trout. Birch trees grow along the shoreline, adding to the natural surroundings. At the western end of the north shore stands Glas-allt Shiel, a hunting lodge built in 1868 for Queen Victoria. After Prince Albert’s death she avoided her former lodge further north and used Glas-allt Shiel as her retreat, also known as the Widow’s House. A fairly flat path circles the loch, making it popular with walkers. Behind the lodge is a bothy maintained by Dundee University Rucksack Club. The Ballater Angling Association keeps a boathouse at the north end, having permission to fish the loch. Queen Victoria often fished here during her visits. The combination of water, hills and lodge creates a quiet upland scene.