National Scenic Areas (Scotland)

There are 40 National Scenic Areas in Scotland, covering 13% of the country's land area which include spectacular mountain ranges, like the Skye Cuillins, Ben Nevis and Glencoe, island landscapes in the Hebrides and Northern Isles and richly diverse scenery such as in Perthshire, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway. The designation’s purpose is both to identify the finest scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.

They are broadly equivalent to the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty found in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Loch Cill Chriosd - Isle of Skye

Just south of the ruined 16th century church at Cill Chriosd (Christ's Church) lies shallow, reed-filled Loch Cill Chriosd. Blà Bhein (Blaven) in the background is one of the island's twelve Munros - a Scottish mountain over 3,000 ft in height - and is the east most peak of the Black Cuillin Several local legends attach to the loch. The story was told that an evil sprit dwelt in the loch, and this spirit poisoned the waters so that anyone bathing in the loch or drinking the water would die. St Columba chased the spirit away, but another spirit took up residence there. Ths water spirit was an each uisge, or water horse. The spirit would appear in the guise of a handsome young man and seduce passing women, who would then be dragged off into the deepest part of the loch to die. One day the horse mistook a priest in his long robes for a young woman. The priest managed to convert the horse to Christianity and the loch was safe at last.

National Scenic Area landscape island mountain loch water reflections reeds tree hills

From Outer Hebrides and Skye