Loch Muick, Scotland

Loch Muick (pronounced "Mick") is one of my favorite walks in Scotland. It's about a 7 mile walk all the way around. Give yourself plenty of time for the walk because you'll probably want to take pictures and stop for a snack or lunch. I'd say you need a minimum of 4 hours to complete the walk if you are a fast walker. I had read online that you turn right just after the visitor center, but the sign pointing in that direction said "Lochnagar," and we certainly didn't want to go up there! The other sign pointed straight for the Loch Muick Circuit.

We went straight at the signposts, but found out later that we could have taken that trail to the right because it branches to the left to go around Loch Muick while another path heads toward Lochnagar. However, the way we went turned out to be shorter. We kept straight and then took a trail leading down to the lake that led across a bridge and then up the hill to rejoin the main trail. If you want a shorter route that excludes the glen, go that way. If you have time and energy for a longer route, take the path to the right just after the visitor center. Ignore the Lochnagar sign. It doesn't just go toward Lochnagar. The path is good and is relatively flat. We saw people pushing strollers on it. Here are some pictures from our trip. By the way, sunsets there are beautiful! (Some photos courtesy Ana Barbalata)

The house that Queen Victoria bought and used to visit.

I thought this looked nice with the canvas effect.