Located between Boat of Garten and Aviemore, Loch Vaa is a 39-acre spring-fed freshwater loch. If you know the lochs of the Cairngorms, this is the one with the wooden red-roofed hut, popular with photographers, wild swimmers and fly fishers.
Loch Vaa hides a piece of history below its waters: a crannog, a timber dwelling built out in the loch, thought to date back to the 13th century or even earlier.
How to Get There
Walkers can reach the loch on an hour-long trail that starts at the Laggantrygown Cemetery car park and leads through pinewoods to the water. It is a gentle route that rewards you with one of the most photogenic scenes in the area.
What to Do at the Loch
The calm, shallow water makes Loch Vaa a favourite for wild swimming, paddleboarding and fly fishing, while the red-roofed boathouse is the shot everyone comes for. Even if you only make the cemetery car park, the surrounding pinewoods are lovely.
Who It Suits
This is a quieter alternative to the busier Loch Morlich, ideal for photographers and wild swimmers who want a hidden-gem feel. Bring everything you need, as there are no facilities at the loch itself.
Practical Tips
- Park at Laggantrygown Cemetery car park
- Allow around an hour for the walk in
- Popular with paddleboarders in calm weather
- No facilities at the loch, so plan ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Loch Vaa?
Yes, Loch Vaa is a popular wild swimming and paddleboarding spot thanks to its calm, shallow, spring-fed water. There are no lifeguards, so swim within your limits.
What is the crannog in Loch Vaa?
A crannog is a timber dwelling built out in a body of water. The one in Loch Vaa is thought to date back to at least the 13th century, hidden below the surface.
Where do you park for Loch Vaa?
Start at the Laggantrygown Cemetery car park, from where an hour-long trail leads through pinewoods to the loch.
