Glen Shiel, Scottish Highlands

Loch Cluanie

Reservoir

Source image

7.2

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

Check

Cost

Dramatic

Feel

HillsRemote countrysideLakesidePhotographersWalkersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.2

A Highland loch reshaped by hydroelectric engineering, with a drowned drovers’ bridge that reappeared during a summer drought.

Loch Cluanie earns its place for the way Highland landscape and human history meet: a long reservoir beneath the hills, a 1950s dam, an old military-road route followed in part by today’s A87, and a drovers’ bridge normally hidden beneath the water. It is a worthwhile landscape stop, though the supplied sources do not establish a waymarked lochside walk or water-sport access.

Dramatic · Wild · Big-sky

Find your way

Open map

Glen Shiel, Scottish Highlands

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Take in the reservoir from the A87 or the reported access point beside the Cluanie Inn, then look beyond the mountain scenery to the engineering and older routes beneath it. The sources support a short landscape-and-history visit, but not a specific lochside circuit or water activity.

Things to do

Take in the reservoir beneath the Highland hills

Pause at an appropriate viewpoint to appreciate the long loch setting and its surrounding hills. The A87 follows the northern shore; the supplied sources do not verify a continuous public shore path.

Short stop

Look for the story beneath the water

The reservoir submerged an old drovers’ bridge; drought exposed it in 2012. The bridge may not be visible on an ordinary visit, and its appearance should not be expected.

Trace the older road through the landscape

Britain Express notes that the modern A87 follows the route of an 18th-century military road built under General Wade for troop movement after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

See the Cluanie Dam

The reservoir was formed when the dam was built across the River Cluanie in 1955 as part of a hydroelectric project. The source describes the dam as 675 metres long and 40 metres high.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

Quick Escape: Loch and dam

01
Use the reported parking area beside the Cluanie Inn, checking current access and parking arrangements first.
02
Take in the loch from an appropriate accessible viewpoint; the supplied sources do not describe a specific path or shoreline route.
03
Look across the water and consider the dam-built reservoir’s connection to the wider hydroelectric project.

Half day · Half day

Make a Half Day of It: Loch, road and Highland history

01
Begin at the reported visitor access point beside the Cluanie Inn, checking current arrangements before setting out.
02
Take in the reservoir and its mountain setting from a safe, suitable viewpoint.
03
Follow the A87 through the area and consider its partial alignment with General Wade’s 18th-century military road; do not stop where it is unsafe to do so.
04
If conditions and access allow, look for evidence of changing water levels, remembering that the historic drovers’ bridge was exposed during drought in 2012, not as a guaranteed seasonal feature.

Verified history

Cluanie Dam was built across the River Cluanie in 1955 as part of a major hydroelectric project by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. Britain Express describes water from the River Moriston and nearby Loch Loyne being channelled through a tunnel to the dam. The modern A87 follows part of the line of an 18th-century military road built under General Wade after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. In 2012, summer drought exposed an old drovers’ bridge that had been submerged since the reservoir was created.

Hidden details

The submerged drovers’ bridge — A bridge on an old drovers’ road lies beneath the reservoir and was exposed by summer drought in 2012. Its reappearance is an unusual historical event, not a regular attraction or a guaranteed sight.

A military road beneath the modern route — For much of its course beside the loch, the A87 follows the route of an 18th-century military road built under General Wade after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

When to go

· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.

The sources do not establish a general seasonal optimum. Drought lowered the reservoir enough to reveal the old drovers’ bridge in summer 2012, but this was a particular event and should not be presented as a predictable seasonal occurrence.

Highland weather and water conditions can change. The supplied sources do not provide specific safety or forecast guidance; check conditions before travelling and use care near roads and water.

Worth pairing with

Cluanie Inn

At the western end of the loch, the inn is described as a common visitor access point and a base for walkers heading into the neighbouring hills. Check current services, opening and access arrangements before visiting.

Hills overlooking Loch Cluanie

Britain Express reports that several walking trails start near the Cluanie Inn and lead into neighbouring hills, including Munros. The supplied sources do not provide route details; check a current map and conditions before attempting a hill walk.

What to look for

Notice the Cluanie Dam and the long reservoir setting. The A87 partly follows the line of an 18th-century military road associated with General Wade. In 2012, summer drought exposed an old drovers’ bridge that had been submerged since the reservoir was created.

The story

Hydroelectric engineering; military roads; historic drovers’ route

Best time to go

No season is specifically established by the supplied sources. In dry summer conditions, falling water levels have exposed the submerged drovers’ bridge.

The sources do not identify a generally best time of day. Dry summer conditions have, on at least one occasion, exposed the submerged drovers’ bridge; this is not a predictable annual event.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

Photographers · Walkers · History lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

The A87 runs along the loch’s northern shore. Britain Express reports a parking area beside the Cluanie Inn, at the western end, giving visitors access to the loch. Check current access and parking arrangements before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Britain Express reports a parking area beside the Cluanie Inn. Check current availability and terms before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Cluanie Inn is at the western end of the loch; check current food service and opening arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

The source row marks the location dog-friendly; check current rules and signage before visiting.

Check before visiting