Day 5 - Wednesday 2 April 2025
Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit (13.8 miles)
The village Car Park in Invermoriston
We had caught the bus from our holiday cottage in Drumnadrochit and would simply walk back. We were familiar with the first half of this walk as we had completed it in 2022 (link here).
We had caught the bus from our holiday cottage in Drumnadrochit and would simply walk back. We were familiar with the first half of this walk as we had completed it in 2022 (link here).
The Invermoriston Community Shop - the last time we were here 3 years ago this was a cafe called Peachieness
The War Memorial in Invermoriston with The Glenmoriston Hotel to the rear
From the War Memorial we headed up the A887 for a 100 yards, past the Clog Shop and turned to the right along a lane
Stayed here in 2022 - nice to see it still trading and run by the same people. It is a lovely B&B.
From Craik Na Dav the route heads steeply uphill on a zig zag path
Invermoriston from the zig zag path. The hill to the rear is Sron na Muic and our route into the village yesterday is over to the left.
Continuing along the steep zig zags, the route reaches a pair of wooden bridges one below the other
Near the second bridge a sign points the way along the forest track
It was a glorious morning and we knew we were in for a fantastic weather day
At Grid Reference NH 42248 17113 the route splits. Carrying straight on is the Low Route whilst the High Route heads to the left. The Low Route stays flat along the forest rack and converges with the High Route approximately a mile and a half north east of Alltsigh. It should be noted that the High Route is not marked as a National Trail on some OS Maps between leaving the Low Route and rejoining it later.
The information board detailing the differences between me taking the High Road and you taking the Low Road (and I'll be in Drumnadrochit afore ye). As the board states, the High Route was devised in order to increase the views along the way and also help avoid forestry operations.
Whilst being described as the "High Route" the rises in gradient are easy enough on the legs
Crossing the Allt Coinneag
Leaving the shelter of the forest the path rises gently over moorland
Looking back to Sron na Muic above Invermoriston
Approaching "The Viewcatcher"
A family selfie at The Viewcatcher
The Caledonian Pine Sculpture known as "The Viewcatcher" - designed to highlight the stunning view from here. The structure can be found at Grid Reference NH 43483 18117.
Looking back to The Viewcatcher as we continue heading gently uphill
The path snakes its way over moorland as we continue to enjoy solitary walking in this beautiful landscape
At Grid Reference NH 43851 19247 the route reaches a T Junction. We would be heading to the left to continue along the High Route, however if you wanted to rejoin the low route then head right along the path for 1.2 miles. This path rejoins the Low Route at Grid Reference NH 45477 18948 near Alltsigh.
The route continues through the delightful Creag-nan-Eun Forest
Crossing the Allt Saigh
Nearly caught us out for a minute but thankfully we read the small print below
Another delightful section of forest walking under a beautiful canopy of trees
Crossing the footbridge over the Allt Rhuighe Bhachain
We had been looking forward to crossing this bridge today as in 2022 it was a Troll Bridge. The bridge dated back to 2014 and the schoolchildren of Glenurquhart Primary School heap spells and curses on all who cross the bridge with their poetry and drawings. The sides of the bridge have clearly become unstable and have therefore been replaced resulting in it being a Troll Bridge no more.
We had been looking forward to crossing this bridge today as in 2022 it was a Troll Bridge. The bridge dated back to 2014 and the schoolchildren of Glenurquhart Primary School heap spells and curses on all who cross the bridge with their poetry and drawings. The sides of the bridge have clearly become unstable and have therefore been replaced resulting in it being a Troll Bridge no more.
The Troll Bridge as seen in 2022 with our beautiful boy about to cross it.
The path rises steeply as we continue on through the Creag-nan-Eun Forest
At the top of the rise we were greeted by a glorious vista down Loch Ness
The highest point of today's route at 1385ft (422m) which is marked by a splendid horseshoe shaped stone shelter
From the highest point the route drops gently down through the forest
We did not see another soul on the entire walk today
Looking over Loch Ness as the path continues to descend
The path winds its way down the hillside to reach a lovely "S" shaped stone shelter with back to back benches
The rear of the stone shelter with sadly the remnants of a camp fire
The view from the stone shelter with a guest appearance from the RAF (Click Play to view)
Looking down Loch Ness and across to Foyers
The village of Foyers across Loch Ness
At Grid Reference NH 46607 20733 the High & Low Routes converge
The going now becomes flat along a tree lined forest track through Ruskich Wood
A lovely viewpoint although I feel the bench was placed here when the treeline was a lot lower
The forest track ends as the route descends into Grotaig
Hello! What do we have here?
The Tea Room at the Loch Ness Clayworks & Pottery is a few hundred yards off route but is well worth a visit.
The Tea Room at the Loch Ness Clayworks & Pottery is a few hundred yards off route but is well worth a visit.
A nice cold drink and a slab of Gingerbread Cake set us up for the final 3 or so miles of mostly road walking to Drumnadrochit
Thought it said something else for a minute as we passed
Another discarded prize from a former winner of Bullseye
Whilst the 3 miles or so of road walking to Clunebeg Wood was a bit of a trudge, the road was not very busy and there was the odd section that utilised the rear of hedgerows - at least it wasn't chucking it down with rain.
We were thankful of these odd sections as we headed along the road which is below us to the right
At last - the road walking ended and we entered Clunebeg Wood. Just another mile and a half to go and we could almost taste that post walk pint that was waiting for us in the Loch Ness Inn.
Drumnadrochit sits below us as we continue through Clunebeg Wood
This was another lovely section and provided us with a shady end to the walk
Leaving the shade of the woodland the route drops steeply down to Clunebeg Lodge as Angie engages Low Gear
A welcoming committee as we enter Drumnadrochit
Journey's End for today at the excellent Loch Ness Inn - we had dinner here after a couple of cold ones and very nice it was too. The locals are extremely friendly and the food was excellent.
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Day 5 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
13.8 miles
61.9 miles
5hrs 45mins
2556ft (779m)
61.9 miles
5hrs 45mins
2556ft (779m)