Loch na Faolain

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Loch na Faolain

Flodda causeway
Flodda causeway Credit: Catherine Morgan

Loch na Faolain is a picturesque freshwater loch located in the heart of Inverness-shire, Scotland. Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, this serene body of water is often referred to as a pool or pond due to its relatively small size compared to other lochs in the region. Spanning approximately 1.5 hectares, Loch na Faolain is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a tranquil setting for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike.

The lake is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, which are fed by numerous small streams and springs that cascade down from the surrounding hills. Its depth varies, with the deepest point measuring around 5 meters. The combination of its size and depth makes it an ideal habitat for a variety of freshwater fish, including brown trout, pike, and perch. Anglers are often seen casting their lines into the calm waters, hoping to catch a prized fish.

Surrounding the loch is a diverse ecosystem, characterized by freshwater marshes and wetland vegetation. This habitat supports a wide range of plant and animal species, including water lilies, reeds, and various species of waterfowl. Birdwatchers can spot an array of resident and migratory birds, such as ducks, swans, herons, and occasionally ospreys.

For visitors seeking tranquility and a closer connection with nature, Loch na Faolain offers several walking trails that wind along its shores. These paths provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside and opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.

Overall, Loch na Faolain is a hidden gem within Inverness-shire, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking solace amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

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Loch na Faolain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.47625/-7.305503 or Grid Reference NF8255. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Flodda causeway
Flodda causeway
Summit trig on Ruabhal Looking towards Grimsay and North Uist.
Summit trig on Ruabhal
Looking towards Grimsay and North Uist.
Oitir Mhòr
Oitir Mhòr
Summit of Ruabhal, Benbecula
Summit of Ruabhal, Benbecula
Gramisdale stone circle Rather mutilated prehistoric stone circle. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10186/benbecula-gramisdale" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10186/benbecula-gramisdale">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Gramisdale stone circle
Rather mutilated prehistoric stone circle. LinkExternal link
Suidheachadh Beag stone circle and chambered cairn Two large stones inside the stone circle may represent the remains of a chambered cairn. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10187/benbecula-suidheachadh-beag" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10187/benbecula-suidheachadh-beag">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Suidheachadh Beag stone circle and chambered cairn
Two large stones inside the stone circle may represent the remains of a chambered cairn. LinkExternal link
Causeway between Grimsay and Benbecula
Causeway between Grimsay and Benbecula
Ruaval (Ruabhal) summit Near the summit of Ruaval are a trig point and two fairly large cairns. This photo suggests, though it does not prove, that the trig point is at the true highest point. Taken in conjunction with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2537593">NF8253 : Ruaval (Ruabhal) from the lower cairn</a>, I think that the supremacy of the trig point is beyond doubt.
Ruaval is the highest point of Benbecula. As this island is mostly low-lying, it gives excellent views in all directions.
Ruaval (Ruabhal) summit
Near the summit of Ruaval are a trig point and two fairly large cairns. This photo suggests, though it does not prove, that the trig point is at the true highest point. Taken in conjunction with NF8253 : Ruaval (Ruabhal) from the lower cairn, I think that the supremacy of the trig point is beyond doubt. Ruaval is the highest point of Benbecula. As this island is mostly low-lying, it gives excellent views in all directions.
Ruaval (Ruabhal) from the lower cairn I think that this image, in conjunction with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2537563">NF8253 : Ruaval (Ruabhal) summit</a>, is conclusive evidence that the trig point is at the summit of the hill.
Cairns, especially on hills which are not major attractions for hillwalkers, are often in locations prominent from below rather than at true summits. This may explain the position of these two cairns.
Ruaval (Ruabhal) from the lower cairn
I think that this image, in conjunction with NF8253 : Ruaval (Ruabhal) summit, is conclusive evidence that the trig point is at the summit of the hill. Cairns, especially on hills which are not major attractions for hillwalkers, are often in locations prominent from below rather than at true summits. This may explain the position of these two cairns.
North Ford Causeway On the north edge of Benbecula, the modern causeway leads across the Oitir Mhor to Grimsay and North Uist.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.isle-of-benbecula.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.isle-of-benbecula.co.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
North Ford Causeway
On the north edge of Benbecula, the modern causeway leads across the Oitir Mhor to Grimsay and North Uist. LinkExternal link
A865 south of Loch na Smalaig, Benbecula The A865 runs through the centre of the loch-laced flat isle of Benbecula. The large dark green shed or barn seen on the right is just beyond the track to Ardgarbh, and must be quite recent as it does not appear on Google's Streetview (see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Gramsdale,+Benbecula&hl=en&ll=57.47317,-7.32846&spn=0.000023,0.027788&sll=41.890062,12.492549&sspn=0.004394,0.006947&vpsrc=6&hnear=Gramsdale,+Isle+Of+Benbecula,+Eilean+Siar,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.473554,-7.3282&panoid=nm1zCQ5DOfBW2LblAN-U4g&cbp=12,203.83,,0,13.56" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Gramsdale,+Benbecula&hl=en&ll=57.47317,-7.32846&spn=0.000023,0.027788&sll=41.890062,12.492549&sspn=0.004394,0.006947&vpsrc=6&hnear=Gramsdale,+Isle+Of+Benbecula,+Eilean+Siar,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.473554,-7.3282&panoid=nm1zCQ5DOfBW2LblAN-U4g&cbp=12,203.83,,0,13.56">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) 
Note: The maps show "Shieling" just south of this point, but that simply means roughly constructed hut or pasture for cattle, and is not a placename.
A865 south of Loch na Smalaig, Benbecula
The A865 runs through the centre of the loch-laced flat isle of Benbecula. The large dark green shed or barn seen on the right is just beyond the track to Ardgarbh, and must be quite recent as it does not appear on Google's Streetview (see LinkExternal link ) Note: The maps show "Shieling" just south of this point, but that simply means roughly constructed hut or pasture for cattle, and is not a placename.
Loch na Smalaig Benbecula doesn't get rave reviews in most of the guidebooks, which generally urge the visitor on to the delights of the Uists to north and south. But on a beautiful sunny day like this, the inky blue lochs and lochans have a distinct charm.
The house on the left is Ardgarbh with its track forming the southern border of the loch.
Loch na Smalaig
Benbecula doesn't get rave reviews in most of the guidebooks, which generally urge the visitor on to the delights of the Uists to north and south. But on a beautiful sunny day like this, the inky blue lochs and lochans have a distinct charm. The house on the left is Ardgarbh with its track forming the southern border of the loch.
Loch Olabhat A shallow loch, almost at sea level and with numerous small islands. Looking towards the distinctive profile of Eabhal on North Uist.
Loch Olabhat
A shallow loch, almost at sea level and with numerous small islands. Looking towards the distinctive profile of Eabhal on North Uist.
Loch Olabhat An unpleasantly wet track leads from the road down to this reedy loch.
Loch Olabhat
An unpleasantly wet track leads from the road down to this reedy loch.
North Ford Causeway Looking towards Benbecula along the causeway, which has recently been strengthened and widened to take a double lane road.
North Ford Causeway
Looking towards Benbecula along the causeway, which has recently been strengthened and widened to take a double lane road.
Gramsdale: postbox № HS6 40 and phone One of several postboxes which seem to have a prefix misnomer - being on Benbecula, this box is actually in the HS7, not HS6, postcode district. It stands alongside a red telephone box and this may be evidence that the post office, which opened in the summer of 1935 and closed on 5 October 1974, was in the adjacent house.
Gramsdale: postbox № HS6 40 and phone
One of several postboxes which seem to have a prefix misnomer - being on Benbecula, this box is actually in the HS7, not HS6, postcode district. It stands alongside a red telephone box and this may be evidence that the post office, which opened in the summer of 1935 and closed on 5 October 1974, was in the adjacent house.
Island Flodda: postbox № HS7 79 A small postbox serving this small island, just off the coast of Benbecula - we look across the Flodda Sound (Caolas Fhlodaigh) between the two. The box is emptied at 11am on weekdays and at 8:30am on Saturdays.
Island Flodda: postbox № HS7 79
A small postbox serving this small island, just off the coast of Benbecula - we look across the Flodda Sound (Caolas Fhlodaigh) between the two. The box is emptied at 11am on weekdays and at 8:30am on Saturdays.
Gramsdale: North Ford Causeway The A865 crosses from the island of Grimsay to Benbecula by way of this causeway, which has recently been upgraded from a single-carriageway road with passing places.
Gramsdale: North Ford Causeway
The A865 crosses from the island of Grimsay to Benbecula by way of this causeway, which has recently been upgraded from a single-carriageway road with passing places.
Show me another place!

Loch na Faolain is located at Grid Ref: NF8255 (Lat: 57.47625, Lng: -7.305503)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///makeovers.chaos.fruitcake. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Related Wikis

Uachdar

Uachdar (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Uachdar [ən̪ˠ ˈt̪ʰuəxkəɾ]) is a settlement on the Outer Hebridean Island of Benbecula. Uachdar is within the parish of South...

Flodaigh

Flodaigh is a tidal island lying to the north of Benbecula and south of Grimsay in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It is connected to Benbecula by a causeway...

Benbecula Airport

Benbecula Airport (Scottish Gaelic: Port-adhair Bheinn na Faoghla) (IATA: BEB, ICAO: EGPL) is located on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides...

Uist

Uist is a group of six islands that are part of the Outer Hebridean Archipelago, which is part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. North Uist and South...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.47625,-7.305503
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 14:00; Sa 09:45
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: HS7 40
Royal Cypher: scottish_crown
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 57.4789085/-7.3098909
Telephone
Booth: K6
Covered: booth
Operator: BT
Operator Wikidata: Q593786
Phone: +44 1870 602094
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 57.4789128/-7.3098644
Bus Stop
Gramsdale
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 6010731664
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan CommonName: Gramsdale
Naptan Indicator: Flodda Turn
Naptan Landmark: Flodda Turn
Naptan NaptanCode: 94723525
Naptan Street: Flodda Turn
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 57.4791283/-7.3086434
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4782165/-7.3070301
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.478388/-7.3018239
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4797969/-7.3076029
Gramsdal
Alt Name En: Gramisdale
Alt Name Gd: Gramasdail
Name En: Gramsdale
Name Gd: Gramsdal
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 57.4789499/-7.3092235
Description: Hebridean Way - Pointing S Rueval (Ruaidheabhal) 1.4 miles - Pointing W Grimsay (Griomasaigh) 2.1 miles
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 57.4782173/-7.3044705
Description: Hebridean Way - Pointing SE Rueval (Ruaidheabhal) 1.6 m - Pointing NE Grimsay (Griomasaigh) 1.9 miles
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 57.4791128/-7.3085157
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4781729/-7.3044732
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4788422/-7.3108022
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.480427/-7.3071732
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 57.4783023/-7.3062265
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 57.4783231/-7.3055274
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4802404/-7.3018339
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4798049/-7.303218
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4781625/-7.298618
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4782822/-7.2996613
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4784668/-7.3010883
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4784502/-7.3022819
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4784567/-7.3047066
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.479306/-7.3096968
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4793608/-7.3083678
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4794632/-7.306037
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4795108/-7.3050445
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4806009/-7.3064715
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4800746/-7.3069462
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4793983/-7.3076087
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4788864/-7.3070106
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4784567/-7.3059136
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 57.4784293/-7.3066726
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4795641/-7.3039448
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4791041/-7.3054013
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4787768/-7.3063642
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.478451/-7.3074813
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4782527/-7.3090061
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4780789/-7.310307
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.477903/-7.3116803
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.477691/-7.3132521
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4779986/-7.2990464
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4792571/-7.3111726
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4787968/-7.3123569
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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