The loch is fed by Lunan Water which enters from the West and exits to the East.

Rescobie's name may have originated from the Scottish Gaelic “Ros Sgolban” meaning "the wood of splinters or thorns“.

Historically it has also been referred to as Rosolpin, Roscolpin, Roscolbyn, Roscoby and Rescobis.

In 1097 King Donald III of Scotland was dethroned and held captive in Rescobie Castle where his brother Edgar blinded him in both eyes.

In the early 1960s the Rescobie Loch Development Association[7] was formed to manage and run the fishing.