Lochindorb

Lochindorb
Location	Strathspey, Scotland
Coordinates	57°24′27″N 3°42′23″W
Type	loch
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Islands	Lochindorb Castle

Lochindorb (from the Scottish Gaelic: Loch nan Doirb meaning "loch of the minnows") is a freshwater loch north of Grantown on Spey in the Highland council area of Scotland. This loch is home to the ruins of Lochindorb Castle, a former stronghold of the Clan Comyn and is built on what now is said to be an artificially created island. It is also a popular spot with fishers and birdwatchers, the latter of whom come to see the local black-throated divers and greylag geese. At the southeast edge of the loch there is a small patch of coniferous forest and hidden by this Lochindorb Lodge.

Castle

The castle is first recorded during the Wars of Independence when Sir John ('the Black') Comyn died there in 1300. By 1455 the castle was in the hands of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray, The next year, after Douglas's defeat and death at Arkinholm, Lochindorb was again forfeited to the Crown and this time ordered to be slighted, the work of dismantling its defences being entrusted to the Thane of Cawdor. Since then, it has been left as a ruin.

The "Wolf's Lair": Lochindorb Castle at Lochindorb in Badenoch, stronghold of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan.

Wildlife

Lochindorb is home to an array of wildlife and is a popular fishing and birdwatching spot.

External links

• Site Record for Lochindorb Castle, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland - information on the castle

Myth

The Lochindorb wolves. Sightings in and around the area have been of the Lochindorb Wolves that may have been responsible for the disappearance of fishermen since 2002. 8 men have gone missing from the area since 2001, all of them were fishermen from Eastern Europe who visit Lochindorb for activities. Dr Klein Jurgensson of Inverclyde university says "A high meat diet of men from eastern european men mainly from Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Poland attract the wolves from miles around. Normally Wolves stay away from humans if they can, but, because of the food these men eat a certain scent is given off that wolves are drawn too and once the wolves realize that the meat is not available they enter what is known as a 'metabolic frenzy' which drives them to kill and eat"

One eyewitness (Maron Kvitziti) of Lithuania who survived an attack told reporters that "his friend (Johan Knappfer) were fishing at night near the forest of Lochindorb when they heard noises and then the attack took place, he was knocked unconscious and bitten numerous times, he awoke with no sign of his friend, he could see blood and paw-prints on the sand where the attack took place and ran for help".

Many investigations have taken place with no sign of any wolves but it is highly believed that the Wolves are attracted to the scent. A pattern has emerged with these attacks that take place near the end of summer, normally around August/September/October time. Warnings are given to those entering the realm of Lochindorb with tales of the Wolves.