Travelling Scotland’s Great Glen

Loch Ness

I’m starting this itinerary in Inverness and it’s not long after leaving the city that you reach a large layby with fantastic views across Loch Ness. While only the 2nd deepest loch in Scotland, it holds by far the most water – more than all the lakes and rivers in England and Wales combined! It’s hard to see the loch from most of the roadside as you drive, so it’s worth stopping here to see if you can spot the famous monster.

Loch Ness Centre

If you’re interested in learning more about the legendary Loch Ness Monster, then there’s no better place than the Loch Ness Centre. Refurbished just a couple of years ago, the audio-visual displays tell you all about Nessie’s story and the hunts for her over the years. It takes around an hour, presenting both the facts and the fiction from the first mention of a monster in Loch Ness by St Columba in 563AD, right up to the most recent sightings!

Urquhart Castle

One of the biggest attractions in the Great Glen and one of the most important castles in Scottish history, Urquhart Castle is an incredible place. This ruined fortress dates back over 1500 years, jutting out into Loch Ness and guarding this passage through the Highlands when the easiest mode of transport was boat. Fought over in the Wars of Independence, Urquhart was later given to Clan Grant who found themselves continuously fighting the west coast clans. Things came to a head in 1545 where the MacDonalds made off with around 8000 livestock along with anything else that would fit in their ships!

Invermoriston Falls

Further along Loch Ness, Invermoriston Falls mark where Glen Moriston joins the Great Glen. Take a short walk from the car park to the old Summer House giving a stunning view across the tumbling waterfalls to the Old Bridge peeking out beneath the modern road crossing.

Lunch at The Glen Rowan Café

Take a short walk to the Glen Rowan café, a fantastic wee place to grab a soup and sandwich followed by one of their delicious baked treats. If you’ve got a bigger appetite, then I can highly recommend the burgers!

Fort Augustus

After a packed morning, you’ll finally reach the end of Loch Ness! Fort Augustus is named after one of the large military fortifications built in the first half of the 18th century as the British government struggled to control the Highlands. There’s only one tiny corner of that fort left, built into the Highland Club hotel, but the village is still a lovely place for a wander. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a boat travelling the Caledonian Canal as it navigates the series of locks to descend from Loch Oich into Loch Ness!

Well of The Seven Heads

On the banks of loch Oich, a striking obelisk stands as a reminder of a bloody episode of local history. In the 17th century, the chief of the MacDonalds of Keppoch was murdered by a group of seven men, but Lord MacDonnell of Glengarry refused to do anything about it. The chief’s kinsman Iain Lom MacDonald refused to let the matter lie, eventually being granted permission from the government to get revenge with the help of MacDonalds from Skye. After chopping the murderer’s heads off, he stopped to wash them in a spring here before presenting them to Glengarry.

Today it’s known as the Well of the Seven Heads, with a carving atop the obelisk showing the heads, hand and knife. Head down some stone steps and you can even go under the road to see the well up close!

Clan Cameron Museum

Of all the clan museums in Scotland, Clan Cameron’s might be my favourite. Sitting beside the Chief’s ancestral home at Achnacarry, it’s small but packed with stories and artefacts from one of the most important clans in the Highlands. There’s a special focus on the crucial role the Camerons played in the Jacobite Risings, but also lots more to keep you busy.

Commando Memorial

One of the other important stories around Achnacarry was the site of the Commando Basic Training Centre after their inception in World War II. The harsh surroundings and rugged terrain in this part of the Highlands was perfect for putting these elite soldiers through their paces. The memorial of three Commandos gazes out towards the Ben Nevis Range of mountains where 25,000 men trained during the war. It’s a spectacular view and the perfect way to end your day before driving the short distance to Fort William.