Loch Achtriochtan
A small loch on the floor of Glen Coe below the Three Sisters, with Ossian's Cave high on the cliff above.
Loch Achtriochtan is a small, shallow loch on the floor of Glen Coe, a little east of Glencoe village, through which the River Coe flows on its way down to Loch Leven.
It lies right below the Three Sisters, and from the car park at its end the view runs up the glen between the great walls of Aonach Dubh and the Aonach Eagach, with a white cottage, Achnambeithach, on the far side of the river and waterfalls streaking down the corrie behind.
High on the north face of Aonach Dubh, above the loch, is a dark slot in the rock about a hundred feet high: Ossian's Cave, named for the legendary poet, son of Fingal, who by one old story was born here. It was formed when a column of rock dropped away, and it is reached only by a wet and dangerous scramble called Ossian's Ladder, so it is best admired from below. Look for it from the car park by the National Trust for Scotland cairn.
There is a car park at the west end of the loch, beside the A82.
- Where
- Glen Coe, on the A82 east of Glencoe village.
- Parking
- Car park at the end of the loch.
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Add your reviewGlen Coe, east of Glencoe village.
Aonach EagachGlen Coe's northern wall, famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland: a serious scramble between two Munros.Under a mile 1 min by road
The Devil’s StaircaseThe zigzag path from Altnafeadh up to 550 metres, the highest point of the West Highland Way, with the Buachaille behind you.Under a mile 1 min by road
Three Sisters of GlencoeThree steep ridges of Bidean nam Bian on the south side of Glen Coe, seen across the glen from the car park halfway up it.1 mile 1 min by road
Clachaig InnThe walkers' and climbers' inn deep in Glencoe, with log fires, more than 365 malt whiskies, live music, food all day and rooms.2 miles 3 min by road
The Lost ValleyThe hidden valley among the Three Sisters of Glen Coe where the MacDonalds kept their rustled cattle, reached by a short, rough climb.2 miles 3 min by road
GlencoeScotland's most famous glen, walled in by the Three Sisters and the Aonach Eagach, and remembered for the massacre of 1692.4 miles 6 min by road
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Places to stay near the loch, and when each is next free.
RiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe- Sleeps 2
- In Ballachulish
- 7 miles from the loch
Stormhouse South- Sleeps 2
- In Appin
- 15 miles from the loch
Stormhouse North- Sleeps 2
- In Appin
- 15 miles from the loch
Slochd- Sleeps 2
- In Barcaldine
- 17 miles from the loch
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