Loch Slaim

Loch Slaim is a small loch in Sutherland, in the Highland region of northern Scotland. It lies east of the Ben Loyal massif and is the final link in a chain of four lochs, the largest of which is Loch Loyal. The River Borgie, a well-regarded salmon river on the north coast, begins at its outflow.

Where is Loch Slaim?

The loch sits in a remote stretch of the Highlands, among moorland and bog between Loch Loyal and the Borgie valley. Together with three neighbouring lochs it forms a line running eastwards from Ben Loyal. Older gazetteers give its size as roughly three-eighths of a mile by a quarter of a mile, so this is a modest body of water.

What makes it worth knowing?

Loch Slaim has no visitor facilities; its interest lies in the landscape and in what flows from it. The River Borgie starts here and runs for about seven miles across boggy moor, through Borgie Forest, before reaching the Atlantic at Torrisdale Bay. The river and its upper catchment are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and the river is also a Special Area of Conservation. Wildlife includes salmon, trout, otters, birds and protected molluscs.

Can you fish here?

A nineteenth-century Scottish gazetteer records large trout, char and pike in the lochs of Creagach and Slaim. The Borgie itself is a known salmon fishery, with around 50 named pools and about 300 fish caught and released each year. Check fishing rules and permits locally before you travel.

How do you plan a visit?

The surrounding country is empty and calls for proper navigation: carry an Ordnance Survey map and sturdy walking boots. For an easier day out, head for Borgie Forest, south of the hamlet of Borgie. Forestry and Land Scotland manages it, and the river divides it into Borgie Breco on the west bank and Borgie Glen on the east. The nearest bridge carries the A836, so each side has its own access road, public car park and waymarked walks. The woodland is mostly Sitka spruce with some mature Scots pine and broadleaves, replanted after a fire in 1942.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn gives long days and drier paths. The salmon season falls in the warmer months, though each beat sets its own dates. Highland weather turns quickly, so pack waterproofs whatever the forecast says.

Frequently asked questions

Is Loch Slaim a large loch? No. Older descriptions give about three-eighths of a mile by a quarter of a mile.

What is it known for? The River Borgie rises from its outflow and runs through Borgie Forest to Torrisdale Bay.

What fish live nearby? Salmon in the Borgie, and older sources mention trout, char and pike in the neighbouring lochs.

Where is the easiest place to start a walk? Borgie Forest, where the access roads have public car parks and signposted trails.