Around the Loch Ness area in the Scottish Highlands you will find some of the most scenic places in Scotland with areas such as Glen Affric, a National Nature Reserve often claimed to be the most beautiful of all the Scottish glens along with Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar, areas of breathtaking beauty, they provide access to some of the wilder and more remote areas in the Highlands.
Here you will find golden eagles, peregrine falcon and mountain hare, Pine martens, fox, red squirrel, badger, stoat, weasel, Frogs, toads, slow worms and adders are also present. The Lochs and rivers provide specialists habitats for otter and dipper.
- Loch Ness Geolocation Latitude 57.28189° N Longitude -4.483092° E
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Here you will find one of the largest surviving native pine woods in the United Kingdom, with nearly 1/3 of the present remaining Scottish area found here.
The ancient Caledonian woodlands are direct descendants of trees that first colonised the Scottish Highlands after the last Ice Age 8-10,000 years ago. Centuries of destruction by felling, damage by fire, and grazing by deer and sheep all have reduced the ancient Caledonian forest,
The Forestry Commission purchased Glen Affric in 1951. Since then, positive conservation has rescued the core of the woodland. In 1994, Glen Affric was designated a Caledonian Forest Reserve of over 9000 hectares.
Further recognition of the importance of this special environment came in 2001 with the designation of Glen Affric as a National Nature Reserve.
The Caledonian forest have specific species only found here like the crested tit, Scottish crossbill and wryneck, the Capercaillie are still present but have become extremely rare and are seldom seen, along with the wild cat wild, The red, roe, Sika deer, black grouse, golden eagle, badger, pine marten and otter or more likely to be seen.
Whether you wish to climb Munros,ramble or cycle on miles of forest track, fish for salmon and trout on river and loch, or simply relax and take in the magical surroundings.
The inn is a great rural retreat away from the City of Inverness, capital of the Highlands being 26 miles from the Inn offering shopping, dining, entertainment to suit all pockets day and night.
The lochs and rivers around the Strathglass area are widely recognised for their superb trout and salmon fishing.
The landscapes changes with every seasons which makes this area a great attraction for photographers.
The north west Highlands area is rich in heritage and culture and has been an inspiration to artists, musicians and writers for centuries. For visitors who prefer to get about on two wheels Strathglass & the Glens offer quiet roads and an abundance of forest tracks giving access to the wilder and more remote areas.
The area has an excellent reputation for the quality of its trout and salmon fishing, The rivers Glass & Farrar together with the numerous hill lochs offer superb sport for both the keen and casual fisherman.
Most of the fishing in the area is by permit - details are available locally. Much of the income generated from the fishing permits help pay for the regular stocking of the fishing facilities, Boats and ghillies are available for hire. Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin in Glen Affric provides a large expanse of water with a number of convenient launch sites.
The River Beauly between the dams at Aigas and Kilmorack is also a poular spot, in recent years canoeing has become quite popular with visitors.
Aigas golf course nestles spectacularly between the Aigas forest and the river Beauly - one of Scotland's famous Salmon rivers.
Visitors are most welcome to play this challenging 9 hole course at almost any time, booking is advisable for groups and at weekends. Club and trolley hire are available.
A coffee shop is open for light refreshments during the summer months.
There are a further 25 courses can be enjoyed within easy reach from the Inn, these are some of the world's greatest links courses along with their wonderful beaches, Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Brora and Tain, are just the start.
The steading county Inn makes a great base for golfers.
Those who like to Horse ride will find the remote hamlet of Cougie high up in the hills to enjoy a day out pony trekking catering to the novis and expert of riders.
There is so much for you to do from the steading country Inn, making this your staring point to explore this beautiful and inspiring region of the Scottish Highlands with a fascinating history, the past is all around.
Here you will find ancient cairns and stone settings, the later brochs witch are defensive round towers, Neolithic folk, Bronze Age warriors, Vikings and clansmen then the Picts with their mysterious carved symbol stones have all left their faint traces on these ancient landscape,
witness battlefields and ancient monuments, Explore famous lochs, breathtaking beaches and magnificent glens, admire local arts and crafts, try almost every outdoor activity you could think of and marvel at the beauty of a remarkable range of wildlife that we have here in this rual location.