Lochan na Dunaich, near Acharacle, Highlands, Scotland

Lochan na Dunaich Trail

route · Woodland walk

Place photograph

5.6

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

WoodlandLakesideWalkersFamiliesWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

5.6

A short walk through open oakwoods to a dark Highland lochan, with a local kelpie legend and summer water lilies.

This is a compact woodland-and-water walk with a strong sense of place: open oakwoods lead to a lochan whose Gaelic name means “little loch of sadness”. Its appeal is in the atmosphere and the story, rather than distance or dramatic scale. Storm damage has closed part of the approach, so check the current diversion before visiting.

Atmospheric · Peaceful

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Lochan na Dunaich, near Acharacle, Highlands, Scotland

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The experience

A short, diverted woodland trail to a lochan. Allow around 15 minutes for the official route, or longer to take in the setting. The official route information warns of storm damage and closures, so check local alerts before setting out.

Things to do

Walk through the open oakwoods

Follow the currently open, diverted trail through the oakwoods towards Lochan na Dunaich. Check the current closure notice before starting.

About 15 minutes for the official route; allow extra time for the approach.

Look for summer waterlife

Forestry and Land Scotland highlights water lilies, dragonflies and mayflies at the lochan in summer.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow about 15 minutes for the official route; the approach may take longer.

Quick Escape: oakwoods and lochan

01
Check Forestry and Land Scotland’s local alerts and trail diversion before setting out.
02
Follow the currently open, waymarked trail through the oakwoods towards the lochan.
03
Pause by the water to look for summer lilies, dragonflies and mayflies.
04
Return by the signed route; do not enter closed sections.

Verified history

Forestry and Land Scotland gives the Gaelic name as meaning “little loch of sadness”. The supplied sources do not establish a further verified historical account of the site.

Folklore & legend

Local legend says a kelpie—a mythical waterhorse—lured children into the lochan’s dark waters. This is folklore, not verified history.

Hidden details

The lochan’s name — Forestry and Land Scotland translates Lochan na Dunaich as “little loch of sadness”, a striking contrast to its placid appearance.

Watch for summer insects — Look over the lochan for dragonflies and mayflies; Forestry and Land Scotland also notes water lilies in bloom during summer.

When to go

· Not specified in the supplied sources.

Forestry and Land Scotland singles out summer for blooming water lilies and active dragonflies and mayflies. No specific months are provided.

The route has firm but uneven gravel, short moderate slopes and wooden boardwalk sections. AllTrails advises care in wet conditions and appropriate footwear. Check closure notices before visiting.

The route

ascent: 26 ft according to AllTrails.
surface: Firm but uneven gravel, with short moderate slopes and sections of wooden boardwalk, according to Forestry and Land Scotland.
distance: ½ mile / 0.8 km according to Forestry and Land Scotland; AllTrails lists 0.5 miles.
duration: Forestry and Land Scotland allows 15 minutes; AllTrails estimates 0.5–1 hour.
difficulty: Moderate according to Forestry and Land Scotland; AllTrails labels it easy.
waymarking: Forestry and Land Scotland lists it among its waymarked trails; check current diversion signs.
route shape: Loop
start point: The trail information reports a damaged, closed section from the A861 public road into the site. Use the current diversion information; the supplied sources do not establish an open start point.
parking start: Parking arrangements are not confirmed by the supplied sources. Check before visiting.

Open oakwoods
Lochan na Dunaich
Summer water lilies, dragonflies and mayflies
Local kelpie legend

What to look for

Look for water lilies in summer and watch for dragonflies and mayflies over the lochan. The kelpie story is a local legend, not verified history.

The story

Local legend

Best time to go

Summer, when Forestry and Land Scotland says water lilies bloom and dragonflies and mayflies are active.

Summer is the season highlighted by Forestry and Land Scotland for water lilies, dragonflies and mayflies. Check current trail notices before travelling.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

Walkers · Families · Wildlife lovers

Route at a glance

Duration

Under 1 hour

Terrain

Woodland, Lakeside

Parking / start

Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm parking arrangements.

Practical information

Opening & access

Forestry and Land Scotland describes a diverted trail, but says a section from the A861 is closed for the foreseeable future because of storm damage. Check current local alerts and follow the diversion before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm parking arrangements.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

The source row marks the trail dog-friendly; check current signage and local guidance before visiting.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The route is described as moderate, with firm but uneven gravel, short slopes and sections of wooden boardwalk. A section is currently reported closed because of storm damage; check the diversion and current alerts before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Lochan