Loch of Skene

Loch of Skene is a large, lowland freshwater loch in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies about 1.6 kilometres west of Kirkton of Skene village and 14 kilometres west of Aberdeen. The loch was partly shaped by people, with a dam built at its southern end to create a reservoir. Before 1905, its water powered tweed production and turned the mill wheel at Garlogie Mills. The mills closed in 1905, and from 1923 the loch supplied water for electricity generation. The deepest part of the loch reaches about two metres. The loch is recognised for its wildlife importance and holds three conservation designations. It is a Special Protection Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar site. In autumn and winter the loch attracts large numbers of wildfowl including greylag geese, goldeneye ducks and pink-footed geese. Common gulls are also seen on the water. Around the shore grow reedbeds and a fringe of birch and willow woodland known as carr. Pike live in the loch and fishing requires a permit. The Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club has its base at the loch. In 1905 the loch was surveyed by T.N. Johnston and L.W. Collett as part of Sir John Murray’s Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. The surveyors charted the shape and depth of the loch. Today the site offers open water for sailing and a quiet setting for watching birds and woodland wildlife.