Can you paddleboard on Loch Oich?

Yes. Loch Oich is one of the best lochs in the Highlands for paddleboarding. The water is calm and sheltered, the scenery is stunning, and it's suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Yak Shack has self-service paddleboard and kayak hire right on the loch, so you can launch in minutes.

Loch Oich sits in the heart of the Great Glen, roughly halfway between Fort Augustus and Fort William. It's easily reached from Inverness (around 40 minutes), Fort Augustus (5 minutes), and Fort William (around 45 minutes).

Is Loch Oich good for beginners?

Yes, it's one of the best lochs in Scotland for first-timers. The water is naturally calm and sheltered, there are no tides, and the surroundings are peaceful. It's an ideal spot if you've never paddleboarded or kayaked before.

How does Yak Shack's self-service hire work?

Everything runs through the Yak Shack app. Before you arrive you can read the equipment instructions and safety guidance, then on the day you scan the smart lock on your board or kayak to release it. No waiting around, just turn up, unlock, and paddle. Your paddle and buoyancy aid are included.

What is the Great Glen Sauna?

The Great Glen Sauna is a wood-fired sauna experience near Loch Oich. It's a brilliant way to warm up after a paddle and a really special way to round off the day. We'd recommend booking ahead as it gets busy in the summer months.

What should I bring for a day on Loch Oich?

Wear clothes that can get wet and dress as though you might fall in. The loch water is cold even in summer, so a wetsuit or thermal layer is a good idea. Bring a towel, water, snacks, sun cream and a waterproof phone case. Your paddle and buoyancy aid come with the hire.

Paddleboarding & Kayaking on Loch Oich | Great Glen

If you are looking for somewhere peaceful to get out on the water, Loch Oich is a hidden gem that deserves a spot on your adventure list. Nestled in the heart of the Great Glen, this beautiful loch offers calm, sheltered waters that are perfect for both paddleboarding and kayaking. Whether you are trying it for the first time or have plenty of experience, it is the ideal place to slow down and enjoy the incredible Highland scenery.

Sitting roughly halfway between Fort Augustus and Fort William, Loch Oich is within easy reach of Inverness too, making it a great day out from anywhere along the Great Glen. The loch is one of the smallest on the Great Glen route, which is exactly what makes it so special. Without the crowds, you get to enjoy all that Highland beauty in near silence.

Two paddleboarders on Loch Oich seen from above, surrounded by Highland hills and forest in the Great Glen

Loch Oich from above. Calm, clear water and Highland hills in every direction.

Easy to get to, easy to get on the water

One of the best things about Loch Oich is how straightforward it is to visit. There is adequate parking close to the launch point, so unloading your paddleboard or kayak and getting onto the water takes just a few minutes. There is plenty of space to explore once you are out there, and the loch rewards a relaxed pace.

There is even a lovely little pier where you will often see boats coming and going, which adds a really pleasant atmosphere to the whole experience. Paddle past it, pull up for a rest, or simply enjoy watching the boating traffic from the water.

Woman posing at the Yak Shack smart hire unit on the banks of Loch Oich in the Scottish Highlands

The Yak Shack at Loch Oich. Scan the app, grab your gear, and you are on the water in minutes.

What to expect on the water

Loch Oich sits at the highest point on the Caledonian Canal, and the water is genuinely calm compared to some of its bigger neighbours. Hemmed in by forested hillsides on either side, it feels sheltered and intimate. You can take a relaxing paddle and take in the surrounding views, or venture a little further along the shoreline and discover quieter, more secluded stretches.

The Highland scenery here is stunning, especially looking south towards the mountains. Being out on the water puts you right in the middle of it, which is something you simply cannot replicate from the roadside.

Two women paddleboarding on Loch Oich wearing buoyancy aids, with Highland hills and forest in the background

Calm, clear water and great company. Buoyancy aids included with every hire.

Hiring with Yak Shack

With Yak Shack's remote paddleboard and kayak hire, exploring Loch Oich could not be easier. Simply book in the app, arrive at the shack, scan the smart lock to collect your equipment, and enjoy the freedom of discovering one of the Highlands' most beautiful and tranquil locations at your own pace.

Everything runs through the app, your safety briefing, equipment instructions, and the lock code. There are no queues and no waiting around. Your paddle and buoyancy aid are included with every hire. It is a fantastic option if you want to escape the crowds and experience Scotland from a completely different perspective.

Aerial view of the bridge over the River Oich flowing out of Loch Oich, surrounded by forest and Highland hills

The River Oich flows out of the loch here, with the bridge marking the start of the Great Glen Water Park stretch.

Finish the day at the Great Glen Sauna

Once you have finished your time on the water, make sure to treat yourself to a visit to the Great Glen Sauna nearby. Warming up in a wood-fired sauna after a paddle, while taking in the stunning surrounding countryside, is the perfect way to end the day and adds something genuinely special to the whole experience.

We would recommend booking the sauna in advance as it gets busy during the summer months. It rounds off a day on Loch Oich brilliantly.

The Great Glen Sauna horsebox trailer parked in the Highland countryside near Loch Oich

The Great Glen Sauna. A wood-fired warm-up after your paddle, with Highland views thrown in.

Aerial view of Loch Oich in the Great Glen, showing the wooded island, the pier and the surrounding Highland countryside

Loch Oich from the air. The wooded island and the pier are easy to spot once you know what you're looking for.

Ready to paddle Loch Oich?

See prices, check availability, and book your session at the Loch Oich Shack.

Book at the Loch Oich Shack

How to book

We'd really recommend booking ahead in July and August — weekends fill up fast when the weather's good. You can book directly below or on the Yak Shack app at app.yakshack.co.

A few things people often ask

See you on the water

Honestly, some of the best days we've had have been out on the water. Whatever you're after, a quick hour close to shore or a proper long paddle, we'd love to help you get out there.

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Paddleboarding and Kayaking on Loch Oich: A Hidden Highland Gem