Fairy Lochs

The Fairy Lochs and are a small group of freshwater lochans approximately two miles south-east of the village of Badachro, near Gairloch in Wester Ross, within Ross-shire. The lochans have become known as the 'Fairy Lochs' due to their proximity to 'Sìthean Mòr' which translates as 'Big Fairy Hill'.^[1]

The lochans are close to Loch Bràigh Horrisdale, which flows into the Badachro River (Abhainn Bad a' Chrodha). There are several large waterfalls in the area, and Sìthean Mor overlooks the Lochan Sgeireach and the bay of Loch Gairloch.

The lochs are remote and are accessed over farmland and along paths through marshy ground.

Although small and remote, the Fairy Lochs are notable as the crash site of an American Second World War bomber.

On 13 June 1945, a USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber (serial 42-95095, based at the Warton Aerodrome) set off to return to America from Prestwick Airfield at the end of Second World War. On board were a crew of nine from the 66th Bomber Squadron and six passengers from the Air Transport Command. The aircraft's planned route to Keflavík in Iceland should have taken it over Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, but for reasons unknown, the aircraft flew instead over the mainland. Over Wester Ross the aircraft began to lose height and struck the summit of Slioch (3215 feet), losing parts of its bomb bay doors, before flying on towards Gairloch. An attempted crash-landing resulted in the aircraft colliding with rocks and crashing into the Fairy Lochs, scattering wreckage over a wide area. All 15 crew and passengers on board perished in the accident.

Today much of the wreckage remains where the plane crashed. Pieces of fuselage lie in the bogs and a propeller and an engine can be seen protruding from the lochan. The area is classed as a war grave and visitors are expected not to disturb the wreckage. A memorial plaque, listing those who died, was erected by the families and friends of those killed.