Highlights of the Great Glen Way

Originally known as Kilcumein it was renamed when the fort was built in 1729 after William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Fort Augustus can be a lively little place and between mid-March and the end of October you can take a cruise on a boat called 'The RoyalScot' with sonar and go in search of Nessie. Any sightings please let us know! Accommodation: Our usual accommodation is Thistle Dubh it is a small family run bed & breakfast. However we use a number of guesthouses & bed & breakfast establishments in this busy village.

After a hearty breakfast, stretch your legs as you climb through a forest of birch and pine, beside a stream and uphill to a forest track. You should get some dramatic views of Loch Ness at intervals through the woods. Walk through the village of Invermoriston with its little bridge built by Thomas Telford. The Invermoriston Hotel is a great place to eat and has several types of malt whisky. They also have great beer from The Skye Brewery. There are nice leafy walks down by the river. Note our route describes the low level option for this leg. Accommodation: Darroch View is a guesthouse that was purpose built in 1995 to provide a family home and bed & breakfast accommodation. Each bedroom is well-furnished and has a spacious ensuite. You can relax in the evening by the open fire in the lounge, while the breakfast room enjoys great views of Sron Na Muic.

There is quite a bit of undulation today. For strong walkers in good weather you could ascend Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh from where you may get views from Ben Nevis all the way to Inverness. You can take excursions to Urquhart Castle with commanding views over Lochness, café and an interpretational centre. You end up at Drumnadrochit, an attractive ‘Green Village’, which has a Loch Ness Monster visitor’s centre…or two! Accommodation: Glenkirk Bed & breakfast was once the village church and has been renovated and transformed into a bed & breakfast.

Today would normally be a long day: 18 mile/29km, which maybe too much, especially if you want to explore Inverness. So the tour is shortened by an optional taxi transfer taking you from the town to near to Loch Laide, famous for its very clean water. Descend then to Blackford and the Great Glen once again meeting the Caledonian Canal before reaching Inverness, a beautiful city of past and modern, although mostly Victorian. If the taxi option is taken then this is a 14 mile walk. Accommodation: Eskdale Guesthouse is a small and warm guesthouse located on the west bank of the River Ness.

After breakfast depart from Inverness. Or why not spend a day here visiting the Neo Gothic St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Castle, the museum and art galleries at this Scotland’s Northern Capital. We would recommend that you visit Fort George, the Clava Stones and the newly rebuilt Culloden centre, which are all nearby, and with the exception of the Clava Stones, on local bus routes.