Glen Affric

Glen Affric

Glen Affric is a 30 km long valley ( " Glen " ) in the Scottish North West Highlands. It is located about 24 km west of Loch Ness. Through the valley and the two lakes Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a ' Mheadhoin flows the River Affric, west of combines from Cannich with the Abhainn Deabhag the River Glass. Especially the western part of the valley is framed by some over 1000 m high mountains. To the north, in addition to the Càrn Eige ( 1183 m) than the other Munros Mam Sodhail ( 1181 m), to call Tom a ' Choinich (1112 m), the Toll Creagach ( 1054 m) and to Socach ( 921 m), south the Mullach Fraoch - Choire (1102 m) and the Sail Chaorainn (1002 m).

The valley is one of the largest remaining stocks of Scots pines (English: Scots pine ) in Scotland and is often referred to as one of Scotland's finest valleys. It is therefore provided as a National Nature Reserve and National Scenic Area since 2001 under protection. At the beginning of the 20th century alien tree species were planted with the aim of a high timber production, such as the Sitka Spruce. Since the acquisition by the Forestry Commission will, however, again placed on the care of native tree species value. An exception is made ​​only for a stock to Douglas firs, up to 60 meters high in Plodda Falls and belong to the tallest trees in Scotland. Glen Affric is known in addition to its pine forests, especially for the resident red deer. The avifauna is represented inter alia by endemic in Scotland Scottish crossbill and osprey, golden eagle and black grouse.

Glen Affric is largely uninhabited as a result of the Highland Clearances, only at Loch Affric is a hunting lodge. In the upper valley is the only accessible on foot Hostel Alltbeithe. Traces of earlier settlement can be found at various locations, such as at Athnamulloch at the western end of Loch Affric. Inhabited the valley was previously only a few Croftern that secured their livelihood mainly by livestock and illegal whiskey production.

The River Affric is used in the lower part of the valley and through the pent- hole Beinn a ' Mheadhoin to generate electricity. The hydropower plant is Fasnakyle near Cannich.

Originally belonged to Glen Affric to the area of the Clan Chisholm. 1721 the valley was the scene of the Battle of Glen Affric between the Clan Ross and Clan Mackenzie, a dispute in the aftermath of the first Jacobite rebellion of 1715. During the 19th century leased Lord Tweedmouth the valley initially and later acquired also the Guisachan Forest south of the valley. The American athletes and millionaire Walter Winans also leased lands in the valley. 1951 Glen Affric passed into the possession of the Forestry Commission Scotland.