Loch Ness and the Great Glen
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A geological rift split the land from coast to coast, once dividing Scotland in two. Glaciers deepened the trench and the result today is a long glen of steep-sided, wooded mountains and dark, mysterious lochs. Castles and forts abound, bearing witness to the Great Glen’s strategic importance and enhancing its dramatic grandeur with intrigue and nostalgia. And, of course, there’s the legendary Loch Ness monster, elusive but irrepressible, and still attracting scientific interest – keep that camera to hand.
For Glencoe, the spectacular region near the southwestern end of the Great Glen, (see Glencoe)
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1. Fort William
Close to Glencoe and at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1,343 m; 4,406 ft), this seaside town provides an ideal base for walkers. The scenery is faultless, and almost every direction offers enticing terrain. The less active can scale Aonach Mor by ski gondola or take the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig.
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2. Loch Lochy
A path on this splendid loch’s northern shore is now part of the Great Glen Walk and cycleway. Look out for the wonderful Cia Aig waterfall on the road to Loch Arkaig.
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3. Caledonian Canal
An outstanding feat of construction, engineered by Thomas Telford and connecting lochs Ness, Oich, Lochy and Linnhe. Watch boats glide past at Fort Augustus.
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4. Great Glen Watersports Park
A sensitively landscaped centre among trees on Loch Oich, the smallest and most secluded in the glen. Sail, swim, windsurf, canoe, water-ski, fish or shoot the rapids on a raft.
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5. Fort Augustus
A delightful village on Loch Ness. Take a sunlit evening walk in the grounds of the former abbey-school built in grand style in 1878.
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6. Glen Affric
A lovely forest road leads to this renowned beauty spot. From here, a two-day hike can take you to the west coast.
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7. Urquhart Castle
Magnificently situated on the edge of Loch Ness, these ruins were formerly one of Scotland’s largest castles. A fine tower house still stands, and the views from the top are well worth all the climbing. The visitor centre is state-of-the-art and displays a huge array of medieval artifacts.
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8. Loch Ness
With a depth of almost 300 m (1,000 ft) and unusually black water, this immensely atmospheric loch is Scotland’s longest at 26 miles (42 km). Flanked by mountains, castle and abbey ruins, and several charming villages, Loch Ness is worthy of its fame. Take the north road along its bank.
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9. Inverness
The “Capital of the Highlands”, Inverness is a bustling shopping centre set below a pink Victorian castle. The emotive battlefield of Culloden is nearby and the visitor centre there revives this sad and poignant event (see Moments in History) .
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10. Fort George
Built in the aftermath of Culloden on a sandy promontory in the Moray Firth, Fort George is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain. It’s still in use as a barracks today, and has only ever undergone minor modifications.
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