Downton Routes & Tracks

Speyside DistilleryHighland Glen Lodge Glen Urquhart road trip to Speyside home to some of the Highland Whisky Distilleries Starting at the Steading Highland Glen Lodge Bed and Breakfast, offering off road parking, comfortable En-Suite bedrooms in our rural woodland setting, rich with wildlife, six miles from Drumnadrochit, in an area of outstanding natural beauty we have from our door step nature, wildlife, rambling, hillwalking, cycling and mountain biking, whisky trail, Golf, water sports, History, unspoilt beaches, Castles, the area is outstanding for the aspiring photographers and painters, and even for the experts, some must have works of art waiting to be produced, Glen Affric, less than half an hour's drive from us witness dolphins frolicking off the Moray Coast, marvel at the sensational seascape of the North Highlands, walk in the shadow of Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis, or explore the stunning islands and stretches of coastline. For our guest seeking relaxation, quiet and home comforts, home cooked meals and a hearty Breakfast to start the day, this is the place for you, it really doesn't get any better if you want to escape and unwind. Leaving the Highland Glen Lodge, from the end of the road turn left on to the A831 to Drumnadrochit home to the legendary Scottish monster Nessy  From Drumnadrochit take the A82 to Fort Augustus just out side Drumnadrochit you will find Urquhart Castle, A spectacular ruin, on the shore of Lochness. Urquhart has played several important roles through Scottish history from the castle having a considerable turbulent and bloody history dating back to the 13th to 17th centuries to when the Castle was seized by the English after Edward I’s invasion, reclaimed and seized again, until the English blew up the Castle to stop the Jacobite s re grouping, today the Castle remains a ruin but very popular with the tourists.  From the Castle continue along the A82, to Fort Augustus, the Caledonian Canal runs through the centre of Fort Augustus and it is constantly busy with boats of all types and sizes,home to Neptune's Staircase, a staircase lock comprising eight locks on the Canal, Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain. The golf course in Fort Augustus has a challenging 9 holes amidst the trees and beautiful scenery of Fort Augustus. With lots of heather around and a 229 yard uphill par 3 to contend with you would be well advised to pack plenty of golf balls.  From Fort Augustus you can take a cruise that runs on the hour during the peak season up Loch Ness. You can enjoy the view and the audio tour on the top deck weather permitting or go downstairs where you will find 2 sonar monitors and a bar and maybe spot the Loch Ness Monster.  From Fort Augustus take the B862 to Whitebridge ,this small village on the south west side of Loch Ness, it is roughly 25 miles from Inverness and eight miles from Fort Augustus, full of history, culture, architecture and unparalleled scenery, big skies, mind-blowing landscapes, superb food and hospitable, Whitebridge can be found at the foothills of the Monadhliath Mountains on General Wade's Military Road (B862), where it crosses the River Fechlin.  The local stone is a very bright white, and, when the bridge was new, this earned it the nickname The White Bridge.  From White Bridge take the B851 to Daviot on the rugged beauty of the west coast, the far north, pretty fishing villages and to the east, If golf is your passion you will be spoilt for choice Here we have some of the turbulent history behind some of the most beautiful and romantic castles in the world. From Dunvegan Castle on Skye and Brodie Castle in Moray to the Castle of Mey in the North Highlands, Learn about the infamous massacre at the Glencoe Visitor Centre, see Glenfinnan Monument, a tribute to the history of the Jacobite uprisings, or stop at the Highland Archive Centre In the Highland Capital of Inverness to research your Highland family genealogy.  From Daviot take the A9 to Carrbridge on to the A938, here you can find the Landmark Forest Heritage Park on the south side of the village, with nature trails and forest walks as well as amusement park type rides and interactive exhibitions. Carrbridge is a generally quiet place but in October each year, you will find the village hall is the home of the annual World's best-porridge maker competition. Since 1994, the World Porridge Making Championships have taken place,The oaty cook-off draws competitors from across the globe to compete for the coveted Golden Spurtle trophy and title of “World Porridge Making Champion, competitors also battle it out for the speciality trophy. Also the organised skiing in Scotland is said to have begun in Carrbridge when Karl Fuchs established his Austrian Ski School here in the 1950s. From Carrbridge follow the route to Granton -on -Spey to start your Highland Malt Whisky trail,