Loch Bad an Sgalaig

Loch Bad an Sgalaig is a small, irregularly shaped loch and reservoir in Wester Ross, Scotland, about 8 km south of the village of Gairloch. It sits in the north-west Highlands among moorland, low hills and a young native pinewood, well away from the busier Torridon routes.

Where is Loch Bad an Sgalaig?

The loch lies roughly 5 miles (8 km) south of Gairloch on the Highland west coast, at around 57.68° N, 5.60° W. It falls within the Highland council area and makes a quiet stop on a Wester Ross road trip.

What should you know about the loch itself?

It covers around 132 hectares and reaches a maximum depth of about 20 metres. The shoreline is ragged, with several bays. A dam on the north-west outflow, completed in 1949, fed the Kerry Falls hydroelectric station, which is why the water is classed as a reservoir as well as a loch. Its depths were first charted in 1902, when Sir John Murray's team surveyed the freshwater lochs of Scotland.

How do you reach it on foot?

Most walkers start from a car park beside a large shed, about 500 metres east of the water. From there a loop crosses the regenerating pinewood, a route described by the Woodland Trust and by Walkhighlands. The first half follows a vehicle track. The return is a faint, waymarked path that is rough and often boggy. Walking sites rate the ground as demanding for mud, so sturdy waterproof boots matter. Versions starting in Gairloch run about 6 to 7 km, and a full circuit usually takes around three hours.

What will you see?

The walk passes newly planted native Scots pine, with open hill and heather on either side and views over the water. Traces of earlier settlement lie along the way, so the outing mixes landscape with a little archaeology. Fit walkers can extend the day by adding the nearby hill Meall a' Ghlas Leothaid.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer offer the driest paths and the longest daylight. Midges are a real nuisance in summer, so pack repellent. In autumn the colours are good, but the ground gets very wet. Weather on this coast changes quickly, so carry a rain jacket whatever the forecast says.

Frequently asked questions

Is Loch Bad an Sgalaig natural?

It is a loch that also works as a reservoir. A dam built in 1949 supplied the Kerry Falls power station.

How far is it from Gairloch?

About 8 km (5 miles) to the south. Gairloch is the nearest larger village, with places to stay and shops.

Is the walk around the loch easy?

Not entirely. The distance is short, but the path can be very boggy, especially on the return half. Waterproof boots are needed.

Where can I park?

At the car park roughly 500 metres east of the loch, where the pinewood trail begins.