Freshwater loch in Highland, Scotland
| Loch Morlich | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Loch Morlich | |
| Location | Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°10′N 3°42′W / 57.167°N 3.700°W / 57.167; -3.700 |
| Type | freshwater loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
Loch Morlich (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Mhùrlaig) is a freshwater loch in the Badenoch and Strathspey area of Highland, Scotland near Aviemore. The loch is home to a watersports centre with kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing among the activities available. There is also a yacht club and cycling routes around the loch. The loch is at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, just a few miles from Aviemore.
Long stretches of its shoreline are formed of sandy beaches. In 2009, these beaches received a Seaside Award by the Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) campaign, the first time that this had been given to a freshwater loch. At 300 metres above sea level, it also became the highest beach to be given this award.
When examined closely the sand of these beaches contains large amounts of broken glass. However, this glass does not come from careless tourists discarding bottles irresponsibly but was, in fact, left over from World War II when the area around Loch Morlich was used as a commando school. In particular, it was used as a training area for the Kompani Linge (the Norwegian Independent (army) Company, trained by the British Special Operations Executive) because of the close resemblance of the area, both in landscape and climate, to Norway. A memorial to the Kompani Linge can be found outside the Glenmore Forest Park visitor centre.
References
- "The Cairngorms: Mountain merriment". The Scotsman. 5 December 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- "Fresh water loch wins beach award". BBC News. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- "Freshwater loch flies the flag for Scotland's best beaches". The Scotsman. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
External links
Media related to Loch Morlich at Wikimedia Commons- Loch Morlich beach - Forestry Commission Scotland
- Keep Scotland Beautiful - Awards
- Loch Morlich Watersports
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