Loch Mullardoch

Loch Mullardoch lies in Glen Cannich in the Northwest Highlands, formed by a concrete dam built in 1951 as part of the Affric-Beauly hydro-electric scheme. The reservoir stretches about 14 kilometres west along the glen, fed by the Abhainn a Choilich and Abhainn Sithidh burns from the West Benula deer forest. A car park at the dam’s southern end marks the end of the public road up Glen Cannich. Before the dam, a smaller natural loch extended only seven kilometres, ending near Benula Lodge and Benula Old Lodge. Two other lochs, Lochan na Cloiche and Loch Lungard, were submerged when the reservoir filled. The dam itself is the largest concrete structure of its kind in Scotland. Its construction transformed the landscape, flooding the original loch and altering the glen’s appearance. The Affric-Beauly scheme harnessed the power of Highland rivers to generate electricity, and Mullardoch became a key part of this network. The reservoir now holds vast amounts of water, visible for kilometres along the valley floor. The West Benula deer forest surrounds the upper reaches, adding to the area’s wild character. Visitors reach the dam via the road up Glen Cannich, ending at the car park where the reservoir begins. The water stretches westwards, framed by steep hills and open moorland. The dam’s massive concrete walls dominate the southern end, a reminder of mid-20th century engineering. Beyond it, the flooded glen forms a long, narrow lake, its surface reflecting the surrounding peaks. The absence of Lochan na Cloiche and Loch Lungard is marked only by the contours of the land beneath the water.