Loch Etchachan

Loch Etchachan

Loch Etchachan is an exceedingly remote Highland freshwater loch set deep within the central Cairngorms plateau, in Banffshire. It is the highest body of water of its size in the United Kingdom, the surface being 3,041 feet above sea level.

Geography

Directly north of the loch and lying 664 feet lower lies Loch A'an and the imposing peak of Cairn Gorm. To the northeast lies Beinn Mheadhoin, known for its broad and flat summit. To west, rising vertically lies the plateau of Carn Etchachan which constitute the lower slopes of Ben Macdhui, the second-highest mountain in the British Isles, rising to a peak south of the loch.

To the east, the waters of the loch flows into Little Loch Etchahan, from which waters issue through the gap made up of Creagan a' Choire Etchachan in the south and Stobb Coire Etchachan in the north, into what will become the Derry Burn turning southwards becoming the Lui Water before eventually flowing into the River Dee.

Miscellany

On 12 August 2009, members of the Inverness Rowing Club carried a boat to all the way up to the loch from the Linn of Dee, and rowed on the loch. This is believed to be the first time the loch has been rowed upon.

On Saturday 25 June 2011, members of Dundee Mountain Club carried a 10-foot long windsurf board plus, mast, and two sails to the loch to be the first to windsurf upon it. They also carried an ironing board and iron to do extreme ironing there at the same time.

Both of these feats involved carrying the equipment on a round trip of 18½ miles, including 2,500 feet of ascent.

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Loch Etchachan)

References

• Map; 57°4’59"N, 3°38’26"W