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Scots pine stands above woodland with snow-capped mountains behind
Inverness

Glen Affric National Nature Reserve

Welcome

From Beauly the road carries you west through Cannich and into Glen Affric, often called one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland.

It’s a landscape of lochs, ancient Caledonian pinewoods, and surrounding Munros. There are several walking options here depending on how much time and energy you want to commit.

For something short, the Dog Falls Trail is ideal. It loops through the pine forest to a viewpoint over the river, then leads on to a small lochan surrounded by trees. It’s an easy to moderate walk and takes under an hour.

If you’d rather stay closer to the lochside, the River Affric Trail is another good choice, following the shore of Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin with fine views across the water and up into the hills. It’s a gentle circuit, well marked, and a good way to take in the scenery without a major climb.

For a fuller afternoon, the Loch Affric Circuit is a longer loop round the western loch. It takes several hours, through pine woods and open moorland, with mountain views that widen with every turn.

A short drive awayArrival to Glen AffricArrive at Glen Affric Estate and settle into the Lodge.14 min by roadSee itFour-poster bed with tartan canopy beside a window seat overlooking wooded hills
Close by
  1. Man with rucksack sits on tree stump beside a still lochGlen AffricUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Golden Labrador sits among heather with a loch and hills behindDog Falls1 mile1 min by road
  3. Salad plate, pint and menu on a pub table with tulipsThe Tomich Hotel5 miles7 min by road
  4. Waterfall cutting through autumn forest, viewed from above with a footbridge crossing itPlodda Falls8 miles27 min by road
  5. Standing stones and cairn at Balnuaran of Clava, framed by tree leavesCorrimony Chambered Cairn10 miles14 min by road
Directions
Four-poster bed with tartan canopy beside a window seat overlooking wooded hillsAttractionsArrival to Glen Affric6.9 miles
Glen Affric Estate, Inverness-shireInvernessGlen Affric EstateSleeps 14 · 6.9 miles
Tringa's long turf-roofed log walls on the hill, foxgloves in flower in the grass below.StruyTringa at Eagle BraeSleeps 2 · 11 miles
Sylvia in sunshine: a log cabin with a pale gable and oak door, whisky barrels along its gravel yard and a birch beside.StruySylvia at Eagle BraeSleeps 2 · 11 miles
Strix on its green slope in summer, the turf roof and deck among birch and oak, the hill behind.StruyStrix at Eagle BraeSleeps 2 · 11 miles
Parus on its slope at dusk above bluebells in the grass, its gable windows lit.StruyParus at Eagle BraeSleeps 2 · 11 miles
Cinclus on its slope among spring birches, the hills of the glen behind under a blue sky.StruyCinclus at Eagle BraeSleeps 4 · 11 miles
Certhia on its ridge: a two-storey log cabin of great notched logs under a turf roof, steps up to the door.StruyCerthia at Eagle BraeSleeps 4 · 11 miles
Ardea through old birch trunks, its turf roof and railed deck mirrored in the pond below, ferns in front.StruyArdea at Eagle BraeSleeps 4 · 11 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, and when each is next free.

Glen Affric Estate, Inverness-shireGlen Affric Estate
  • Sleeps 14
  • In Inverness
  • 6 miles from Glen Affric National Nature Reserve
Check datesLog cabin porch with lantern-lit door, snow falling on the wooden walkwayEagle Brae
  • To stay
  • In Struy
  • 10 miles from Glen Affric National Nature Reserve
Check datesFrom above, Aquila's turf-roofed log cabin and wrap-around deck on the edge of the ridge, the glen stretching away in autumn colour.Aquila at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 10 miles from Glen Affric National Nature Reserve
Check datesButeo, a long turf-roofed log cabin on level ground, a log picnic table in the grass before it and the hill behind.Buteo at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 10 miles from Glen Affric National Nature Reserve
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in InvernessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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