Loch an Athain

Loch an Athain lies in the low ground of Skye's interior, roughly three and a half kilometres from the coast, and is completely surrounded by the majestic Cullin peaks: Bla Bheinn (928m) to the east, Ruadh Stac (500m) to the north, Sgurr nan Eag (924m) to the west, and Sgurr na Stri (497m) to the south. It is a very small loch of just under 8 hectares, with a simple, rounded outline and a short fetch. The water is of low alkalinity, and the loch drains southward, feeding into Loch na Creitheach below.

The loch has a long association with sea trout, and fish of notable size have been taken here over the years. Sea trout remain the main quarry, with the occasional salmon also running through. The feeder burn connecting the loch to Loch na Creitheach is worth fishing in its own right, particularly after a spell of rain when fish are moving.

Access is from the A850 Broadford to Portree road, following a good track south for around eight kilometres. The walk is long enough to warrant an overnight camp — wild camping is permitted. The track holds all the way to the loch, making for a straightforward if lengthy approach across the moorland interior..