Loch Shiel, Freshwater lake in Highland, Scotland
Loch Shiel extends 28 kilometers through the northwest Highlands, reaching depths of 120 meters with mountains rising along its northern section.
The Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel marks where Charles Edward raised his standard in 1745, starting the Jacobite rebellion.
St. Finnan's Isle within Loch Shiel contains a medieval chapel that serves as the traditional burial ground for the Clan Ranald Macdonald.
Visitors can access multiple fishing spots around Loch Shiel, where salmon, sea trout, and brown trout populations thrive in the waters.
The lake and its surroundings form a Special Protection Area, providing essential habitat for black-throated divers and golden eagles.
Location: Highland
Location: Kilmallie
Location: Ardnamurchan
Elevation above the sea: 4.5 m
GPS coordinates: 56.79111,-5.58704
Latest update: December 1, 2025 13:05
The Scottish Highlands span thousands of square miles in northern Scotland, offering striking landscapes of mountains, jagged coastlines, and remote lakes. This region retains villages that only recently gained road access, such as Rhenigidale on Harris Island, connected to the rest of the island in 1989. The Knoydart Peninsula remains accessible only by boat or on foot and has about a hundred residents. Notable sites include the Torridon hills, formed of red sandstone and rising roughly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), the Bealach na Bà road which climbs to 626 meters (2,054 feet) with slopes up to 20 percent, and Sandwood Bay, a sandy beach reachable after several miles of walking. The Speyside Way stretches 85 miles (137 km) along the River Spey, passing through forests and moorlands near whisky distilleries. On the Isle of Skye, the Storr features needle-shaped rock formations, while Coire Lagan forms a glacial cirque carved into the rock. These sites highlight the region’s geological history and the ways of life that have persisted despite isolation.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
13.4 km
Glenfinnan
12.3 km
Inverailort House
10.3 km
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct
14.3 km
Sgùrr Dhòmhnuill
9.1 km
Loch Ailort
10.8 km
Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan National Scenic Area
10 km
Glenfinnan Monument
12.6 km
Rois-bheinn
7.7 km
Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain
7 km
Garbh Bheinn
13.8 km
Loch Beag
13.9 km
Arnabol Viaduct
13.4 km
Sgùrr an Utha and Fraoch-bheinn
13.9 km
Kinlochmoidart House
9.4 km
Polnish, Our Lady Of The Braes Roman Catholic Church
12 km
Glenfinnan, Roman Catholic Church Of Our Lady And St Finnan
12.6 km
Drumnatorran Bridge
9.9 km
Acharacle, Church Of Scotland, Parish Church
14 km
Eilean Fhianain, St Finnan's Chapel
7.1 km
Brunery Old Bridge, Kinlochmoidart
8.2 km
Glas-chàrn
11.9 km
Ardmolich Bridge
9.7 km
Strontian, Village Shop And Post Office
11.2 km
Acharacle Free Church
13.7 km
Shiel Bridge
13.7 km
Strontian, Strontian Hotel
11 km
Acharacle, Old Shiel Bridge
14 kmReviews
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