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Loch of the Cowlatt

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Morayshire

Scotland

Loch of the Cowlatt

Moorland west of Hill of Slackmore Some turbines at Paul's Hill wind farm can just be seen on the skyline.
Moorland west of Hill of Slackmore Credit: Dorothy Carse

Loch of the Cowlatt is a small freshwater body located in Morayshire, Scotland. Situated amidst picturesque scenery, it serves as a tranquil haven for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking a peaceful retreat. The loch covers an area of approximately 5 acres and is nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery.

The waters of Loch of the Cowlatt are crystal clear, reflecting the surrounding landscape like a mirror. It is fed by natural springs and small streams, ensuring a constant flow of fresh water. The water quality is excellent, supporting a diverse ecosystem of aquatic plants and animals.

Surrounding the loch is a rich wetland ecosystem, with a variety of plant species thriving in the marshy areas. Reed beds, sedges, and water lilies are commonly found, providing a habitat for numerous bird species and other wildlife. The loch is particularly known for attracting a variety of waterfowl, including swans, ducks, and geese.

For birdwatchers, Loch of the Cowlatt offers a perfect vantage point to observe a wide range of avian species in their natural habitat. The tranquil environment and the abundance of food sources make it an ideal breeding and nesting ground for many water-dependent birds.

Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the loch, following the well-maintained footpath that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Fishing is also a popular activity, with anglers trying their luck to catch brown trout, which are known to inhabit the loch.

Overall, Loch of the Cowlatt is a small yet enchanting freshwater body that offers a haven for wildlife and a serene retreat for visitors looking to immerse themselves in nature's beauty.

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Loch of the Cowlatt Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.479748/-3.4642198 or Grid Reference NJ1244. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Moorland west of Hill of Slackmore Some turbines at Paul's Hill wind farm can just be seen on the skyline.
Moorland west of Hill of Slackmore
Some turbines at Paul's Hill wind farm can just be seen on the skyline.
Caochann Calltuinn, Speyside The Caochann Calltuinn burn is in the small valley running left to centre, then directly away. The few small trees and shrubs help to mark out the line of the stream.
Caochann Calltuinn, Speyside
The Caochann Calltuinn burn is in the small valley running left to centre, then directly away. The few small trees and shrubs help to mark out the line of the stream.
Moorland Track The track, having climbed out of the glen of Allt Arder, crosses an area of heather moor.
Moorland Track
The track, having climbed out of the glen of Allt Arder, crosses an area of heather moor.
Looking towards the Loch of the Cowlatt The loch itself is in the next square, but there are several hundred metres of unrelieved heather moor in the foreground.
Looking towards the Loch of the Cowlatt
The loch itself is in the next square, but there are several hundred metres of unrelieved heather moor in the foreground.
Birth of a Burn This boggy patch is the start of one of several burns that run into the Loch of the Cowlatt in the next square. The boulders on the right aren't boulders at all - they are in fact lumps of peat which have apparently been eroded out of the bank of the burn. In over two hours walking here I saw just one solitary boulder - everything else was peat or water.
Birth of a Burn
This boggy patch is the start of one of several burns that run into the Loch of the Cowlatt in the next square. The boulders on the right aren't boulders at all - they are in fact lumps of peat which have apparently been eroded out of the bank of the burn. In over two hours walking here I saw just one solitary boulder - everything else was peat or water.
A Pool on the Moor This whole area is full of wet holes and partly hidden pools waiting to trap the unwary walker - though walkers are probably fairly scarce on this ground anyway. This is one of the largest ones, and it looks as if it is natural.
A Pool on the Moor
This whole area is full of wet holes and partly hidden pools waiting to trap the unwary walker - though walkers are probably fairly scarce on this ground anyway. This is one of the largest ones, and it looks as if it is natural.
Burn in the Bog This is one of several burns which drain this expanse of bog into the Loch of the Cowlatt, in the next grid square.
Burn in the Bog
This is one of several burns which drain this expanse of bog into the Loch of the Cowlatt, in the next grid square.
Bog Pool There are scattered pools all over the boggy moorland here. Most of the square is forested, and the edge of the plantation is in the background.
Bog Pool
There are scattered pools all over the boggy moorland here. Most of the square is forested, and the edge of the plantation is in the background.
Pool and Loch The ice-covered pool in the foreground has had some help from man and machinery, which have excavated a quantity of peat, presumably to provide water for grouse. In the background is a small lochan which may be an extension of the Loch of the Cowlatt, though now separated from it by vegetation.
Pool and Loch
The ice-covered pool in the foreground has had some help from man and machinery, which have excavated a quantity of peat, presumably to provide water for grouse. In the background is a small lochan which may be an extension of the Loch of the Cowlatt, though now separated from it by vegetation.
Boundary Stone The stone marks the march of the estates of Knockando and Dallas, and of the parishes of the same name. The remains of the old boundary fence are beyond the stone, and to the left is the new fence recently erected on the Knockando side of the march.
Boundary Stone
The stone marks the march of the estates of Knockando and Dallas, and of the parishes of the same name. The remains of the old boundary fence are beyond the stone, and to the left is the new fence recently erected on the Knockando side of the march.
Firebreak and Burn The firebreak in this section of the forest coincides, sensibly, with the course of one of the burns which form the headwaters of Black Stripe. The burn has cut down through the peat layer, but has become indistinct among the vegetation in its course.
Firebreak and Burn
The firebreak in this section of the forest coincides, sensibly, with the course of one of the burns which form the headwaters of Black Stripe. The burn has cut down through the peat layer, but has become indistinct among the vegetation in its course.
Firebreak on Little Ben Shalag This firebreak is one of several provided in the forest plantations. It climbs the north slope of Little Ben Shalag, and provides a view north to the rest of the forest.
Firebreak on Little Ben Shalag
This firebreak is one of several provided in the forest plantations. It climbs the north slope of Little Ben Shalag, and provides a view north to the rest of the forest.
Loch of Little Benshalag There are several lochs of Little Benshalag on the south slope of Little Ben Shalag. Some of them drain to the north-west via the Stripe of Little Benshalag, while this one, the largest, drains via the Black Stripe. In the background are the tips of some of the turbines of the wind farm on Paul's Hill.
Loch of Little Benshalag
There are several lochs of Little Benshalag on the south slope of Little Ben Shalag. Some of them drain to the north-west via the Stripe of Little Benshalag, while this one, the largest, drains via the Black Stripe. In the background are the tips of some of the turbines of the wind farm on Paul's Hill.
Forest Boundary Looking uphill from the Lochs of Little Benshalag to the edge of the forest plantation on Little Ben Shalag.
Forest Boundary
Looking uphill from the Lochs of Little Benshalag to the edge of the forest plantation on Little Ben Shalag.
Loch of Little Benshalag This is the largest of the lochs of Little Benshalag, and, with the forest as its backdrop, probably the most picturesque. Most of the loch is actually in the next square, but the foreground and nearer part of the loch are in this square.
Loch of Little Benshalag
This is the largest of the lochs of Little Benshalag, and, with the forest as its backdrop, probably the most picturesque. Most of the loch is actually in the next square, but the foreground and nearer part of the loch are in this square.
End of the Deer Fence To the right are several kilometres of deer fencing, but to the left the fence is only normal height. I can't help thinking that any deer wishing to get inside the deer fence only has to go west until this point, after which it can easily jump the lower fence. But no doubt the people who planned it know more about the habits of deer than I do. In the background is the forest-covered Little Ben Shalag, and part of the largest of the Lochs of Little Benshalag.
End of the Deer Fence
To the right are several kilometres of deer fencing, but to the left the fence is only normal height. I can't help thinking that any deer wishing to get inside the deer fence only has to go west until this point, after which it can easily jump the lower fence. But no doubt the people who planned it know more about the habits of deer than I do. In the background is the forest-covered Little Ben Shalag, and part of the largest of the Lochs of Little Benshalag.
Lochs of Little Benshalag This is the largest of several small lochs on the south side of Little Ben Shalag. It is just inside the fence which indicates the march between Knockando and Dallas.
Lochs of Little Benshalag
This is the largest of several small lochs on the south side of Little Ben Shalag. It is just inside the fence which indicates the march between Knockando and Dallas.
Anchoring the Fence The march fence makes a dog-leg here, and the ground is very wet and boggy. The strainer in the angle is anchored by a wire round a short post. Two boards lie on either side of the short anchor post, and two more short posts give additional strength to the whole assembly. I wonder how long it will take for the boards and the short post to rot - but by then I suppose the bottoms of the strainer and posts will have rotted too, so the whole thing will have to be replaced anyway.
Anchoring the Fence
The march fence makes a dog-leg here, and the ground is very wet and boggy. The strainer in the angle is anchored by a wire round a short post. Two boards lie on either side of the short anchor post, and two more short posts give additional strength to the whole assembly. I wonder how long it will take for the boards and the short post to rot - but by then I suppose the bottoms of the strainer and posts will have rotted too, so the whole thing will have to be replaced anyway.
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Loch of the Cowlatt is located at Grid Ref: NJ1244 (Lat: 57.479748, Lng: -3.4642198)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///drama.purified.react. Near Charlestown of Aberlour, Moray

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Loch of the Cowlatt

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