Loch Fannich

Loch Fannich is a remote freshwater loch in Ross-shire, Highland. It lies 19 kilometres west of Strathpeffer in a wild glen surrounded by steep hills. The loch was raised by a dam built between 1946 and 1961 as part of the Conon Hydro-Electric Power Scheme. An underground tunnel was blasted beneath the loch to carry water to Grudie Bridge Power Station, a project known locally as Operation Bathplug. Before the dam, the loch was smaller and the nearby Cabuie Lodge stood on its banks. The lodge once belonged to Sir Arthur Bignold, MP for Wick Burghs in the early 20th century. The loch’s isolation and dramatic scenery make it worth the journey. Its waters reflect the surrounding mountains and forests, creating a quiet, unspoilt landscape. The dam and tunnel show how engineers shaped the land to generate power decades ago. The drowned lodge adds a layer of history beneath the surface. Visitors come to walk the shores or simply enjoy the solitude of this Highland setting. A visitor finds a narrow road leading to the loch from the A832, ending at a small parking area. From there a rough path follows the northern shore through birch and pine woodland. The water stretches for several kilometres, bordered by steep slopes and rocky outcrops. On calm days the reflections of the hills are almost perfect. The silence is broken only by birds and the occasional breeze through the trees.