Glen Affric

Glen Affric (Scottish Gaelic: "Gleann Afaraig") is a glen south-west of the village of Cannich in the Highland region of Scotland, some 15 miles to the west of Loch Ness. The River Affric runs along its length, passing through Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin (Loch Benevean).

It used to be part of the lands of the clan Chisholm.

The area is a Caledonian Forest Reserve, a National Scenic Area and a National Nature Reserve. Often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, it contains one of the largest ancient Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland as well as lochs, moorland and mountains.

Affric Lodge, a mansion built as a hunting lodge, is located on a peninsula in Loch Affric, while a Scottish Youth Hostels Association hostel is further up the glen at Alltbeithe.

The glen is part of the Affric/Beauly hydroelectric scheme, constructed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. Loch Mullardoch, in the neighbouring Glen Cannich, is dammed, and a 5km tunnel carries water to Loch Benevean, which has also been dammed. From there, another tunnel takes water to Fasnakyle power station, near Cannich.

The final track on musician/field recordist Chris Watson's Stepping into the Dark album is entitled "The Forest Path. Meallan Ne Ceardaich, Glen Affric, Scotland" and was recorded in Glen Affric.

External links

* [http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/reserve.asp?NNRId=17 Glen Affric National Nature Reserve]
* [http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/ Trees for Life]
* [http://www.swlg.org.uk/WLN61i.htm Trees and wild land values in West Glen Affric: a personal view]
* [http://www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/Web/Site/Hostels/GlenAffric.asp Glen Affric Youth Hostel]
* [http://cluaran.free.fr/chisholm/photos.html Photos of Glen Affric]
* [http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochness/glenaffric.shtml Glen Affric walks - free guide]