Day 2 - Sunday 30 March 2025
Spean Bridge to Laggan Locks (15.5 miles)
Looking over Loch Lochy from the bus as we head to the start of the day at Spean Bridge
Yesterday was a wash out therefore we rested up in Fort William and enjoyed a lazy day catching up on some admin and other stuff and then transferred over to our accommodation in Drumnadrochit. Therefore we drove the car from there to Laggan Locks and then caught the bus back to Spean Bridge.
Yesterday was a wash out therefore we rested up in Fort William and enjoyed a lazy day catching up on some admin and other stuff and then transferred over to our accommodation in Drumnadrochit. Therefore we drove the car from there to Laggan Locks and then caught the bus back to Spean Bridge.
From the bus we were lucky enough to see a lovely rainbow appearing over our return route - I wonder if Fudge was looking over us?
We managed to persuade our lovely Bus Driver to drop us on the side of the road by the Commando Memorial rather than Spean Bridge where the official Bus Stop was - saved us a mile and a half uphill walk.
Two minutes in and Mrs W decides to have a bit of an arse about
From the Commando Memorial we retraced our steps back to the Caledonian Canal at Gairlochy
Gave them a call - they didn't give a shit
.....and absolutely no enjoying yourself either
Arriving back at Gairlochy - and somebodyy has nicked the 'H'
Crossing the lock at Gairlochy - we were now back on the route
Nice of somebody to make this signpost which was at one end of the lock entrance.
Looking south west down the Caledonian Canal in the direction of Fort William
Didn't see any
Another 'H' has gone missing - what's going on?
From the lock a road is followed for just under half a mile to reach a waymark. Taking the path leads gently uphill through woodland for approximately 320 yards and then rejoins the road. The path was purposefully built for the Great Glen Way however walkers can simply stay on the road - the tarmac option is hardly the M1 however the woodland path is delightful.
At Grid Reference NN 18155 84868 the route exits the woodland and crosses the road where the path continues on the other side. The route now heads through delightful woodland down to the shoreline of Loch Lochy.
To be honest the erosion was not that bad and was easily diverted around
Looking back to the Nevis range from just above Loch Lochy
Looks like the rotting hulk could do with a bit of a sort out. In the distance can be seen the Gairlochy Lighthouse.
Heading along the shoreline of Loch Lochy
Babbling burns along the shoreline of the loch (Click Play to view)
Zooming in on Gairlochy Lighthouse. which is believed to have been constructed in 1932
Heading along the shoreline (Click Play to view)
Looking up Loch Lochy with Sean Mheall left of centre
A Loch Lochy selfie
Leaving the shoreline, the route joins the quiet B8005 to arrive at an innocuous concrete ramp just south of Bunarkaig. At first glance this looks like the foundations of a small building however this in fact is a WW2 landing craft assault practice site. The area was used to train soldiers prior to the D Day Normandy landings in 1944. Over 25000 men trained in and around the area between 1940 & 1945 when nearby Achnacarry House served as the Commando Basic Training Centre.
Approaching Bunarkaig and the turn off to the Clan Cameron Museum at Achnacarry
The Camerons have lived in Lochaber since the 14th century and the Museum traces the history of the Clan from its early beginnings to the present day, through 27 generations. There is an extensive section on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 in which the Camerons played a crucial part.
The Camerons have lived in Lochaber since the 14th century and the Museum traces the history of the Clan from its early beginnings to the present day, through 27 generations. There is an extensive section on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 in which the Camerons played a crucial part.
The entrance to Achnacarry House and the Clan Cameron Museum near Bunarkaig. We would now continue along the road towards Clunes and hopefully find a seat to have our lunch.
Just past the entrance to Achnacarry is a sign to St Ciaran's Church - intrigued, we headed slightly off route to pay it a visit
St Ciaran's Church
Built at the beginning of the 20th Century by public subscription, the building was designed by Peter MacGregor Chalmers using quarried stone and oak wood grown on the nearby Lochiel Estate. The church is named after St. Ciaràn (514-548) of Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland, a missionary who travelled widely throughout the West Highlands.
Built at the beginning of the 20th Century by public subscription, the building was designed by Peter MacGregor Chalmers using quarried stone and oak wood grown on the nearby Lochiel Estate. The church is named after St. Ciaràn (514-548) of Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland, a missionary who travelled widely throughout the West Highlands.
The interior of St Ciaran's Church - it really is a beautiful building
The quiet & serene Loch Lochy from Bunarkaig
Travelling through Bunarkaig our guidebook said we would pass by some "posh houses" - they weren't wrong.
The former Commando Boat Station at Bunarkaig
The wartime exercises here were so realistic that the interpretation panel says "it was as close to battle as they could get without actually slaughtering half the trainees". The soldiers would stage an offensive by heading out into the loch in rowing boats where the instructors would then fire upon them with live ammunition to make the experience as authentic as possible. The instructors who shot at them were said to be "skilled in the Achnacarry art of shooting to miss, but not by very much"
The wartime exercises here were so realistic that the interpretation panel says "it was as close to battle as they could get without actually slaughtering half the trainees". The soldiers would stage an offensive by heading out into the loch in rowing boats where the instructors would then fire upon them with live ammunition to make the experience as authentic as possible. The instructors who shot at them were said to be "skilled in the Achnacarry art of shooting to miss, but not by very much"
Passing through the small hamlet of Clunes, we would shortly enter Clunes Forest
The Clunes Forest School
The building is a former Forestry Commission hut and was purchased in 2021. The building has been refitted and kitted out with identification equipment to transform it into a forest classroom. The facility is managed by a community group and the classroom is used by walkers on the Great Glen Way, schools, rangers and workshop leaders. The Forestry Commission own and maintain the site.
The building is a former Forestry Commission hut and was purchased in 2021. The building has been refitted and kitted out with identification equipment to transform it into a forest classroom. The facility is managed by a community group and the classroom is used by walkers on the Great Glen Way, schools, rangers and workshop leaders. The Forestry Commission own and maintain the site.
Outside the school was a welcome table and chairs therefore we stopped here for lunch
Whilst having lunch we were joined by the resident village idiot
If the table outside the school is unavailable there is a shelter off path approximately half a mile along the forest track
Waterfalls and tracks in Clunes Forest (Click Play to view)
The route passes through several areas of felled forest which granted us the opportunity to enjoy views of the loch
Continuing on through the forest - this was a lovely section of walking
Passing below the eastern flank of Meall Dubh
The bear with all his kit and one extra - the carving is located on the route at the side of the forest track
At least we were heading in the right direction however not as far as Fort Augustus - that would be tomorrow's walk
Looking over Loch Lochy to the South Laggan Forest
Climbing slightly now as we continue along Loch Lochy
One of two stone seats & shelters as we arrive at a route diversion
The second of two shelters
The information board at the route diversion - the change in route climbs for half a mile or so then levels out
The lovely Allt na Bruaich (Click Play to view)
Heading to Kilfinnan
Arriving at Kilfinnan with the end of Loch Lochy now in sight at Laggan Locks
A lone yacht moored up at a pontoon as we drive at Laggan Locks
The northern end of Loch Lochy
To reach Laggan Locks the route crosses a causeway over the head of the loch
Laggan Locks and the resumption of the Caledonian Canal which would now link Loch Lochy with Loch Oich
The footbridge over the lock and the lock control box
Typical - two days early
Disappointed with the fact that the Eagle Barge was closed, we drove back to Drumnadrochit via Fort Augustus. From previous experience we knew there was a cracking chippy there. We reached the chippy just as they were closing and rather than throw them away they asked us if we wanted an extra box of chips - after a long walking day we obviously accepted their kind offer.
Overnight Accommodation
From Day 2 onwards we stayed at a cottage in Drumnadrochit (see below) and utilised our car and the excellent bus service to walk each leg (see Itinerary and Thoughts in Conclusion pages for details).
Thistle Dubh, Drumnadrochit - the link is here
From Day 2 onwards we stayed at a cottage in Drumnadrochit (see below) and utilised our car and the excellent bus service to walk each leg (see Itinerary and Thoughts in Conclusion pages for details).
Thistle Dubh, Drumnadrochit - the link is here
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
Day 2 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
15.5 miles
28.5 miles
6hrs
1332ft (406m)
28.5 miles
6hrs
1332ft (406m)