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Loch Duich - Situated on the western coast of Scotland, in the Highlands, Loch Duich is distinguished by the picturesque 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Loch Etive - The name Etive is believed to mean "little ugly one" from the Gaelic goddess associated with the loch. But there's nothing remotely ugly about this gorgeous stretch of water, located in Argyll and Bute.

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Loch Tummel - The roads on either side of this glorious loch both offer splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Peppered with historical sites and appreciated for its wide variety of wildlife, Loch Tummel is a popular summertime destination.

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Loch Affric - Tucked away in Glen Affric, near the quiet village of Cannich, Loch Affric and the surrounding landscape radiates an understated beauty. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Loch Awe - The ruins of the 15th-century Kilchurn Castle emerge from early morning mist shrouding Loch Awe, which is located in Argyll and Bute. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Loch Shiel - This much-photographed Highland beauty spot is known for the needle-like Glenfinnan Monument. It's also a designated Special Protection Area due to the presence of breeding golden eagles.

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Loch Leven - Seven islands enrich Loch Leven. One of them is the location of Loch Leven Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned from 1567 to 1568. The loch's rich ecosystem supports an abundance of wildlife, in particular migrating birds.

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Loch an Eilein - The standout feature of this charming loch is its ruined castle, set on what may be a natural island. Loch an Eilein is situated in the spectacular Cairngorms National Park.

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Loch of Stenness - Sited on Mainland in the Orkney Isles, the Loch of Stenness lies adjacent to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.

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Loch Ness - Supposedly the home of "Nessie," the world-famous and ridiculously elusive monster, Loch Ness has other more worldly attractions, including the atmospheric 13th-century ruins of Urquhart Castle.

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Loch Lomond - Loch Lomond is the second largest lake in Great Britain, after Loch Ness, by water volume. But it equals Ness in visual grandeur. The loch contains thirty-odd islands and holds multiple conservation designations.

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Loch Coruisk - Set at the foot of the Black Cuillin in the Isle of Skye, this wild and remote body of water is accessible by boat from Elgol, or on foot from Sligachan, a moderate to difficult 12-km (8-mi) hike.

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Loch Achray - Enjoying a sheltered location near Callander in Stirling district, Loch Achray, seen here from the summit of Ben Venue with Loch Venacher in the background, is enclosed by woodland and mountains. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Loch Venachar - Loch Venacher's pebbled shoreline bristles with nature trails and picnic spots. To the north is Ben Ledi, which marks the first of the Highland bens (mountains).

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Loch Achanalt - This beguiling little loch nestles in Ross and Cromarty, near the village of Achanalt. 
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Loch Morar - Loch Morar is the deepest freshwater lake in the British Isles, with a maximum depth of 310 m (1,017 ft). Morar's location in Lochaber in the country's Highlands is equally remarkable. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Loch Muick - Queen Victoria had a hunting lodge built for her at Loch Muick in 1868. The loch lies on the boundary of the Balmoral estate, the location of the current British monarch's Scottish residence. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Loch Fyne - This sea loch off the Firth of Clyde, seen here from Tighcladich, near St Catherines, is renowned for its sport diving options. It's also popular with hikers, attracted to the region's many castles—Dunderave Castle stands on the opposite shore. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Loch Rusky - This diminutive but scenic loch lies to the east of the Mentieth Hills, about 6 km (3.5 mi) northeast of the Port of Menteith. It's especially appealing at dawn, when mist swirls off the water's surface. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Loch Achtriochtan - One of the most dramatic settings of any Scottish loch, Achtriochtan lies east of Glencoe village, the site of the notorious Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, in which 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by forces acting on behalf of the government of King William III.

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Loch Katrine - A popular destination for tourists and day visitors from Glasgow and nearby towns, Loch Katrine has also been the primary water reservoir for much of the city and its surrounding areas since 1859.

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Loch Maree - Designated a National Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area, and a Special Area of Conservation, dazzling Loch Maree also falls within the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere reserve! Needless to say, it's a destination made for nature lovers.

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Loch Earn - Straddling the districts of Perth and Kinross and Stirling, Loch Earn can claim celebrity status: in October 1964, The Beatles booked rooms at The Four Seasons Hotel at St Fillans. The Fab Four stayed in one of its chalets overlooking the loch during a tour in which they played gigs in Edinburgh and Dundee.

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Loch Tay - A prime salmon fishing spot, the sixth-largest loch in Scotland is also celebrated for its reconstructed crannóg. Dating back to the Iron Age, crannógs were defensible, man-made islands built on the loch. More than 20 submerged crannógs have been identified at Tay.

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Loch Lochy - Local lore mentions "a supernatural being," called the River Horse, which was said to emerge from the lake's crystal-blue depths and assume a horse's shape before feeding on the loch's banks.

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Loch Linnhe - Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe, is where to admire Castle Stalker, which dates back to the 1440s. Although in private ownership, the castle opens its doors to the public at selected times through the summer.

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Loch Rannoch - Exceptional scenery and a number of historical sites, including a 19th-century folly, distinguish this serene-looking loch, located in Perth and Kinross.

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Loch Achnacloich - Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Ross and Cromarty, Loch Achnacloich is celebrated for its remarkable aquatic flora. 

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Loch Achilty - A sloping birch and oakwood forest adds color and texture to this large, picturesque lowland loch. It's found near Contin in Ross-shire.

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Loch Broom - Even under a leaden sky Loch Broom, a sea loch located in northwestern Ross and Cromarty, has the power to invoke raw emotion. The quaint town of Ullapool sits on a promontory.

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Loch Derculich -

Reaching Loch Derculich, located in Perth and Kinross, requires some effort: this is a remote and little-visited loch set in the central Highlands. Red deer are likely to be your only companions. But the countryside views are breathtaking. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

See also: The spectacular surprise that is Shetland. 

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