Beautiful hike in the bird sanctuary and in view of the sea with beautiful sandy beaches.
As birdwatchers we took our time and enjoyed the surroundings, but if you wish you can...
Ard Mor, Bettyhill in the north of Scotland in the county of Caithness and Sutherland. Twelve miles across the tempestuous Pentland Firth from John o Groats, Hoy, on Orkney, this...
At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle.
This short walk to the pools follows a gravel...
Walk from Boat of Garten to Aviemore good shoes, or boots, recommended.
The walk is about 6 miles miles from one railway station to the other, this route is also part of the...
Bonarbridge from northwestKyle of Sutherland to Inverlael, at the head of Loch Broom south of Ullapool,
The first recorded history of Bonar dates back to at least the 1300s,...
Start the walk by heading along the Waterloo minor road which passes some attractive cottages and has fine views across Broadford Bay, this is a pleasant route following the...
Moray has a stunning coastline with something of everything - wide sandy beaches, some dramatic cliffs, coastal formations and attractive fishing villages.
As might be expected,...
Cairngorm ski area short walk from Aviemore School of Snow Sports, ski lodge, Coylumbridge, Aviemore, UK to Cairngorm Mountain Upper Car Park, Aviemore, UK
Nestled below the slopes of Beinn a Chairein and at the junction of Glen Cannich, Glen Affric and Glen Urquhart, this is a wild and beautiful part of Scotland, Loch Mullardoch...
The walk skirts round loch Affic with spectacular mountain scenery and views down the long glen.The public road in from Cannich ends at a Forestry Commission car park.Two tracks...
Glen Affric (easy walk) Distance: 6 km; duration: 1.5 - 2 hours A forest walk, the trail takes you through ancient Caledonian forestry, the terrain of forest footpaths with...
Falls_of_Divach_nr_DrumnadrochitLoch_Ness_MonsterLoch_Ness_Near_DrumnadrochitLochness-SunsetUrquart_CastleUrquhart-Castle
Short walk through Drumnadrochit from the car...
There are many local cycling clubs and several cycle campaigning groups in Scotland and the rest of the UK. CTC is the one body which embraces all kinds of cycle use and interests.
Tips for cycling on roads cycling safely Follow the Highway Code – don’t jump red lights and don’t cycle on the...
Looking for some of the best Appin accommodation, Port Appin may be the place to go if you're seeking for vacation accommodation and hospitality in and around Appin and the surrounding county of Argyll and Bute, whether it's a hotel or a guest house. Appin offers holiday accommodation and...
Water sports is where it all began for Loch Insh.If you are not that confident in boats or on boards, why not book a lesson with one of our instructors.Instructors can be hired privately.On a day ticket, you can take advantage of joining in Sailing, Canoeing, kayaking and Windsurfing lessons at...
The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula.It has a well-deserved reputation for being a dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms, heavy mist,blizzards and dangerous in low visibility conditions, driving under these conditions, can...
This is a lovely museum known as Groam House Museum is an outstanding centre for Pictish and Celtic Art in Ross-shire.The unique display is focused on 15 carved Pictish stones, sculptures and Pictish art, with a permanent display of a magnificent Rosemarkie cross-slab, decorated with enigmatic...
Beauly Priory, a ruined church of a Valliscaulian, located in the village of Beauly on the A862, The priory, is one of three founded by the Order in 1230. Part of the building was later rebuilt, It became a Cistercian.
A plaque tells of Mary Queen of Scots' visit here in 1564 and her travels in...
Highland Hillforts Hill forts are one of the most prominent types of prehistoric monument seen across many parts of Britain and IrelandCraig Mony, Drumnadrochit, It was named after a Norse leader who is said to have besieged it, before retreating further along Glenurquhart, where he was defeated...
Aboyne Castle is a 13th-century castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Aboyne Castle is not open to the public, it is situated in private parkland to the north of the village of Aboyne in Deeside and historically was well defended by marshland.
The Castle was first built as a motte and bailey in the...
Urquhart Castle can be found on the A82 road, 20 miles south-west of Inverness and about 2 miles east of the village of Drumnadrochit, in Gaelic meaning “Ridge of The Bridge.
The castle stands on a rocky promontory on the north shore of Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland, evidence has been...
Oldshoremore beach Kinlochbervie Scotland.
This is a scattered crofting hamlet in the Eddrachillis parish of Sutherland with a beautiful quiet beach, very peaceful and almost deserted, the views breathtaking, well off the beaten track, add 5-10 degrees Celsius and you might as well be in the...
This is a atmospheric croft house, dating to the 1880s, left as the original owner left it at his death in 196o, the buildings are tucked away down a slope quite hidden, it feels like you are entering a time portal, the property was Lived in until 1963, when the Shetland Museum took it over.
Dank...
From Abriachan the route starts uphill on a broad but roughly surfaced track (much of the Way is on such tracks so boots are advised). But the last section of the walk is downhill on better paths, to reach the shore of Loch Ness a mile before Drumnadrochit. Unfortunately the last mile is on the pavement bordering the A82(T).
On the A82(T) turn off at grid ref 573350 to climb to Abriachan (a steep and twisty road). Passing Loch Laide on your left, take the first turn-off on your left (542356). The car park is 200m along this forestry road, on your left (this is also the car park for Walk 1531). At the other end of the walk, park at the Information Centre in Drumnadrochit grid ref (508300).
There is also a bus service between Inverness and Drumnadrochit; but not to Abriachan.
This is in Kinloch forest, following Forestry Commission waymarked trails out to Leitir Fura, an abandoned farming township on the coast. The trail starts from Kinloch forest car park, just north of Isleornsay (Eilean Iarmain)
There are information boards about the human and natural history of the area at various stages along the trail, but it is really the scenery that is the star here. Follow the signs out of the car park and onto the forest road, which undulates gently up and down along the side of the loch.
After a couple of kilometres you’ll see a large sign pointing left off the main forest track for the Drovers Road and an information sign just past it. It is the line of this old droving path that you’ll be following to Leitir Fura, and the path starts to steadily climb, contouring around the base of Beinn Bhreac above.
After another kilometre of gentle climbing, passing several handsomely placed benches, there is a signpost indicating a shortcut which takes you back down to the forest road to give a loop of around 5km.
The path starts to descend with some sharp corners and, bursting with wintry zeal, I took these at full tilt to arrive suddenly at the ruins of Leitir Fura. Unlike many townships on Skye, this settlement wasn’t forcibly cleared, but became abandoned as the inhabitants moved away for easier lives away from the harsh subsistence living endured in this rocky, exposed spot. This fact doesn’t make the ruined remains any less interesting.
The drovers’ path that Leitir Fura sits on continues around the coast to Kylerhea, much rougher and unmarked, but it looked like it would be worth further exploration.
Continue down the path and turn right to rejoin the main forest road. Below you on the shoreline are the remains of several slips from which the inhabitants launched boats to fish and, so tales tell, to intercept boats in the sound carrying rum and whisky.
The track contours round the hill, back towards the car park, and towards the sheltered bay of Isle ornsay. The grounds and buildings of Kinloch Lodge are mainly hidden below but you can catch glimpses between the trees of whitewashed houses and the manicured gardens of the hotel below.
The Great Glen Way is a long distance path in Scotland. It follows the Great Glen, running from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east, covering 79 miles. It was opened in 2002 and is one of Scotland's four Long Distance Routes. Beginning at the Old Fort in Fort William the Great Glen Way skirts the shores of Loch Linnhe to Carpach and the Caledionian CanalThe eight locks of Neptune's Staircase takes the canal to 19.2m above sea level. The route passes various canal features until Loch Lochy with forest tracks taking you along the western shore before re-joining the canal at Laggan Lockshere you will find munros on your route.
Great Glen Way on forest tracks near Loch Laggan From Laggan Locks the route follows the towpath through Laggan Avenue to the Laggan Swing Bridge. Crossing the A82 it then runs along the eastern shores of Loch Oich, It joins to the canal towpath at Aberchalde to Fort Augustus. At this point there is an alternative route known as the "Invergarry Link" runs along the western side of Loch Oich, providing access to accommodation and shops the route climbs away from the canal and up into the forest above Loch Ness. There are views from the high level forest track which eventually drops into and out by a steep climb. High level forest track leads into the hamlet of Grotaig then alongside the road until a path heads down through Clunebeg Wood to the banks of the River Coiltie and Borlum Bridge.
Then through the village of Drumnadrochit at this point a have a very comfortable stay at the steading Highland Glen Lodge Bed and Breakfast before the last leg of your journey carry on from Drumnadrochit up the steep hill to Abriachan, from here the Great Glen Way follows a forest track giving good views of Loch Ness on the way to Inverness capital of the Highlands with good travel links all over Scotland. Leaving the road at Blackfold the waymarking indicates forest track at Craig Leach Forest which emerges at a reservoir, the route then runs downhill through the suburbs of Inverness, to the city centre, finishing at Inverness Castle.
This walk demands a good level of fitness not recommended for the novice. Ben Starav is the magnificent hulk of a mountain on the south side of Loch Etive. It is a fantastic viewpoint and gives an excellent traverse in combination with Glas Bheinn Mhor, with steep and rocky mountains giving tough walking and very simple scrambling conditions, in certain weather conditions this is a very hard day out, ice axe, crampons and winter kit will be required. It can take about 7 to 9 hours depending on your ability with a 10 mile Ascent: (1410m)
Glenmore Forest a place to walk located near Aviemore, Glenmore Forest has some of the best preserved areas of ancient Caledonian forestry in the country, much of the area’s former woodland was felled but Glenmore retains many pristine pine, juniper and birch trees from the old forests. Enjoy the solitude and quiet as you roam among these proud trees there are rounded mountains, and lochs with sandy beaches, there are wild flowers and birds that thrive among the trees much of the forest park is a National Nature Reserve. The easiest route is the beach trail from Loch Morlich Beach it is accessible to all, including wheelchair users, for a longer outing there is the Loch Morlich trail which goes right round the loch. There are some tree roots and stones along the way, but no hills to climb. For a real taste of Glenmore’s mix of forest and hillside, take the Ryvoan trail from the Glenmore Visitor Centre or the Ryvoan car park, there is a lower section on broad, firm forest road ideal for cycling or push chairs the upper section dips and dives across the hillside, the walks are different in length and ability you can do part of the walk or do a circuit to experience this glen and the wild life, here from the birds like Scottish crossbill and crested tit, and offeringa range of different habitats, like wet boggy places among the trees that are perfect for dragonflies and damselflies for you to see. If you are looking for more of a challenge then head to the open hills that surround the glen at the head for Allt Mor follow the burn to the Coire Cas car park at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountain funicular railway, you can take a train ride up and down the mountain and then walk back down the burn. For the more enthusiastic of you, hike up Meall a’ Bhuchaille the hill of the shepherd straight from Glenmore Visitor Centre. The path doesn’t stop climbing all the way to the top at 2600 ft. offering superb views.
Knock Farril (Knockfarrel) is the name of the summit of a ridge called Druim Chat (Cat's Back) to the east of Strathpeffer, Knockfarrel Hill Fort is located at the end of an impressive crag and tail land feature. The ridge rises very steeply and is crowned by an important vitrified fort. This fort first attracted the attention of archaeologists as far back as the 1770s. The result was unfortunate as Richard Feachem. in his guide to prehistoric Scotland says. ''The great size of all the remains and the blurring of outlines and details render almost all questions about this fort unanswerable as yet However, those not particularly interested in archaeology can console themselves with excellent views of the countryside from the Cat's Back easily approachable by a footpath from near the centre of Strathpeffer.
Glen Affric (easy walk) Distance: 6 km; duration: 1.5 - 2 hours A forest walk, the trail takes you through ancient Caledonian forestry, the terrain of forest footpaths with tracks but rocky in places, that can all be undertaken on paths or hill tracks where you will not meet any vehicles and the only people you will see will be other walkers. Here you can see 100 different bird species here including golden eagle, black grouse, osprey, red kite, Scottish cross bill and crested tit. Habitats are widely varied and include agricultural land, pastures, woodland, moorland, wetlands, mountains, rivers, lochs, mudflats, cliffs and sea. The Corrimony RSPB Nature Reserve and Glen Affric National Nature Reserve are on the doorstep you can see roe deer, stags or the seldom seen capercailie in the foliage, as well as providing views of stunning Glen Affric taking you to the top of a dramatic waterfall of Dog Falls that thunders through a rocky gorge very impressive after rainfall or melting snow. During the summer months there is a regular bus service serving the local community and up into Tomich were you can access the forest trails they provide the perfect environment for young and old to walk or cycle, the Forest Enterprise have car parks have marked woodland trails here. The surrounding mountains in Glen Affric, Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar boast many Munros and Corbett's to challenge the experienced hillwalker, but be aware that there may be some restrictions on certain locations during the stalking season.
The walk skirts round loch Affic with spectacular mountain scenery and views down the long glen. The public road in from Cannich ends at a Forestry Commission car park. Two tracks continue on although both are closed to unauthorised vehicles. Take the left hand one and drop down to a bridge over the River Affric. Then pass through a high gate and strike out along the forest track. A few hundred yards on, the track reaches a three way junction. Take the right hand option here and descend to follow the River Affric west. The track runs through heather, low shrubs and Scots Pine trees, passing a small lochan on the left half a mile on. It then rises and falls as it runs by Affric Lodge across the water and, after crossing the Allt Garbh, climbs round a small knoll before running along above the loch. At the far end of Loch Affric, the track runs above a small strip of sandy beach with a wooden jetty before dropping down to a junction. Turn right here and follow another track by the river to a cluster of buildings at Athnamulloch. The way passes between a white cottage and a pair of stone sheds and there are boards here with information on the estate. Cross the river by the bridge and the track rises up past Strawberry Cottage, a former shepherd's bothy, it skirts round a low hill before striking a straight course west down Glen Affric. About 500 yards beyond Athnamulloch, a path branches off to the right at Cnoc Fada. Follow this north past Loch Coulavie, a picturesque and, in parts, reedy lochan which, like Loch Affric, is well stocked with trout. The way continues through the heather, crossing the Allt Coire Leachavie before flattening off to run along above Loch Affric, the shore below lined with Scots Pines. As you approach the east end of the loch you can see Affric Lodge, It was built in 1864 by the first Lord Tweedmouth, a keen Victorian sportsman, on an island linked to the north shore by a causeway and the south shore by a bridge, the path then drops down to a shed past a high post and wire fence to meet up with a track at the entrance to the lodge. Follow this back to the start.
To visit the fort at Dounie, travel on the A836 from Edderton towards Ardgay. About 2 miles north west of Edderton crossroads locate a forest track leading off left into a conifer wood opposite fields (Ardvannie). Look for a green signpost on the right. There is a car park at the beginning of the track just before a boom. To reach the fort walk uphill on the track and turn right onto a new track. Find a finger–post on your left at the start of the path that snakes up the hillside. On leaving the trees continue up over the heather on a strimmed path until it flattens out. Forestry Commission Scotland has erected interpretation signs at the car park and at the upper end of the path.