Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Affric

Affric (Gael. abh-riach, 'greyish water'), a lake and a river in Kilmorack parish, NW Inverness-shire. The lake lies 14 miles NW of Fort Augustus, at an altitude of 744 feet above sea-level, and, extending in a northeasterly direction, is 31/8 miles long and from 1½ to 4 furlongs wide. Of great depth, it abounds in trout, running 3 to the lb.: receives some 18 streams and brooklets: and is flanked NW by Mam Sodhail (3862 feet) and Carn Eige (3877), N by Sgurr na Lapaich (3401), and NE by Am Meallan (2136), SW by Carn a' Choire Chairbh (2827), Tigh Mor (3222), and Sgurr 1an Conbhairean (3634), S by Carn Glas Lochdarach (2330), and Aonach Shasuinn (2901), and SE by Creag nan Colman (2167). It belongs to The Chisholm, and a shooting-lodge stands at its foot. The river is formed by the Grianain and Fionn, both of which rise upon Drumalban-the former flowing 3¾ miles N and E from Ben Fhada (3383 feet), the latter 5 NE from Sgurr a' Bhealaich (3378). They unite 5 miles W by S of the head of Loch Affric: and thence the river runs 18 miles ENE, through Lochs Affric and Beneveian (25/8 miles by 3½ fur.), till, 2¾ miles SW of Glenaffric Hotel, it joins with the Amhuinn Deabhaidh to form the Glass. The scenery is lovely along its banks, wooded with birches and ancient pines, survivors of the Caledonian Forest: and the plentiful trout of its waters, all owned by The Chisholm, range from ¼ to 1 lb. in weight. Salmon and grilse are also sometimes taken, and the rod season lasts from Feb. 11 to Oct. 15.—Ord. Sur., shs. 72,73,188078


(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "a lake and a river"   (ADL Feature Type: "lakes")
Administrative units: Kilmorack ScoP       Inverness Shire ScoCnty
Place names: ABH RIACH     |     AFFRIC

Pages for linked administrative units may contain historical statistics and information on boundaries.