Loch An Eilein Castle

“The Wolf’s territory stretched from Moray to the Pentland Firth – with much of its people to feel the full force of this “avarious and cruel” figure”

by sir John Scott Keltie, 1875

Getting there

This castle is located in loch an Eilein which is part of the Rothiemurchus estate outside Aviemore. just before you reach Aviemore take the B970 towards Feshiebridge. This is not good for large vehicles!!!

entry costs and services

I bagged this castle on the 1st of January 2020 and the costs were: adult- £1.50 child- 50p (some prices may change)

the main car park opens at 9:30 and closes at 5:30

there is a car park and a doggy exercise area and toilets. walking paths are dog and pram friendly however suitable shoes or boots are needed as paths may be icy, wet, muddy and rough or uneven. there is no significant change in gradient.

website: http://www.rothiemurchus.net

phone: +44 01479 812345

Review

The main feature of this place is not the castle but the walk around the loch. The castle is set in the scenic Highland estate of Rothiemurchus near Aviemore. The walk around the loch is 3 miles (5km) taking in beautiful scenery and views of the mountains.

The castle is inaccessible as it is on an island in the loch, but you can get a good view of it from the bank. The castle is now a ruin, but you get a good idea of how it would have been a secure place for local people to seek refuge.

The castle has a lot of history, mostly relating to its famous owner Alexander Stewart ‘the Wolf of Badenoch’.

The castle was besieged by the Jacobites in 1690and it finally fell out of use in the late 18th century. There are rumours that the castle was connected to the shore by an underwater zig-zag causeway, although no evidence of this has ever been found.

This castle was also enjoyed as a nesting site for ospreys until the early 1900s and more recently was in the TV show Monarch of the Glen.

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I thought this was a really nice walk and great way to start the New Year. I would have liked more viewing points of the castle and a nice hot chocolate at the end! I would recommend this castle and walk to people with dogs and young children.