Loch Scaven

Loch Scaven lies at the head of Glen Carron in Wester Ross, a small freshwater loch fed by the River Carron. It stretches about four kilometres southwest of Achnasheen and two kilometres upstream from Loch Gowan. The loch runs from northeast to southwest and has a simple shoreline. At its west end, a promontory called Cnoc nan Sguad juts into the water on the northern side. The name comes from a local legend about a kelpie whose victims’ lungs were said to float to the surface. The loch’s name in Gaelic, Loch Sgamhain, means ‘lungs’, recalling the old story of the water spirit. Two small man-made islands sit in the centre, opposite the promontory, built to attract insects for salmon to feed on. One island may have held a house in the late 16th century. The loch was surveyed in 1902 by R.M. Clark and James Murray as part of a wider study of Scotland’s freshwater lochs. Visitors find a quiet Highland setting with clear water and open shores. The islands and promontory add interest to the scene. Walkers along Glen Carron pass the loch’s edge, where the water reflects the surrounding hills. The area is known for its wildlife, including salmon and birds attracted by the insects. The loch’s calm surface and remote feel make it a peaceful place to stop.