Top 12 Lakes in Angus

Angus offers a wide range of activities around its lakes. You can enjoy hiking and walking, with options from easy strolls to more challenging mountain routes. Cycling and mountain biking are also popular, with various trails available. Many lochs are excellent for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, while some offer fishing, watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding, or even wild swimming. For detailed hiking routes, check out Easy hikes in Angus. For cycling, explore Road Cycling Routes in Angus or MTB Trails in Angus.

Yes, several lakes in Angus are great for families. Monikie Country Park, featuring two large freshwater reservoirs, is an excellent outdoor space for walking and general recreation. Forfar Loch, within Forfar Country Park, offers a circular route suitable for families and a nearby park for children. Crombie Loch in Crombie Country Park also provides family-friendly trails and picnic spots. Loch Shandra is another peaceful, family-friendly option.

For walking and hiking, Loch Brandy in Glen Clova offers a well-maintained but steep path leading to a mountain corrie, with options for circuits around the loch or longer walks over Green Hill. Loch Lee provides an easy stroll along its edge with stunning views, or a more challenging 15.8km circuit with wildflowers and birdwatching. The Backwater Reservoir features an eight-mile perimeter trail with sweeping views, and Lintrathen Loch has a circular trail perfect for enjoying nature.

Angus's lochs are rich in wildlife. Lintrathen Loch is a prime spot for birdwatching, especially for breeding songbirds and wintering greylag geese. Loch Lee is a wildlife haven where you might spot golden eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and even adders. Forfar Loch is known for sightings of kingfishers, otters, and ospreys.

Yes, Auchintaple Loch, though man-made, is rich in history with nearby remnants of an early chapel at Chapel Hillock and the Lady Well (Virgin Mary's Well), historically believed to have curative properties. Forfar Loch was once home to a Crannog (lake-dwelling) on St Margaret's Inch. Loch Shandra's name is believed to derive from the Scottish Gaelic 'Seantruibh,' meaning 'Old farmtoun' or 'settlement,' reflecting deep historical roots.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity at several lochs. Loch Lee offers fly fishing from boats from May to September. Monikie Country Park's reservoirs are excellent for fishing. Loch Shandra is particularly renowned for excellent fly fishing opportunities, where anglers can catch wild brown and rainbow trout.

Forfar Loch is a popular spot for watersports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing. Monikie Country Park also offers opportunities for sailing on its reservoirs.

Wild swimming is suggested at Loch Brandy, a stunning mountain corrie. For more information and safety tips on wild swimming in the region, you can consult resources like A Guide to Wild Swimming in Angus.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Summer offers pleasant weather for walking, watersports, and enjoying the full greenery. Spring and autumn provide beautiful scenery with changing foliage and are excellent for birdwatching. Winter can offer dramatic landscapes for hiking, especially around mountain lochs like Loch Brandy, but requires appropriate gear and caution.

Facilities vary by location. Monikie Country Park and Forfar Country Park (around Forfar Loch) offer amenities like parking and often have cafes or visitor centers. Crombie Country Park has paid parking and picnic benches. For more remote lochs like Loch Lee or Loch Brandy, facilities are minimal, so it's best to come prepared. Some areas, like Glen Clova near Loch Brandy, may have pubs or accommodation options nearby.

Auchintaple Loch is a man-made loch nestled amid pines, popular with walkers on the Cateran Trail. It's unique for its blend of natural beauty and rich history, featuring remnants of an early chapel at Chapel Hillock and the Lady Well, which was historically believed to possess curative properties. The narrow dirt path around its southern edge offers scenic views, including Mount Blair in the distance.

Loch Lee, situated at the head of Glen Esk, is a highland loch surrounded by mountains, offering stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. It's a haven for wildlife, and an easy stroll along its edge provides beautiful reflections. For a more adventurous experience, you can hike to the waterfall at its far end. Queen Victoria once described it as 'a wild but not large lake, closed in by mountains.' You can find more details about visiting Loch Lee at visitangus.com.