Day 6 - Thursday 3 April 2025
Drumnadrochit to Inverness (21.7 miles)
0630 leaving Drumnadrochit - or "Drum" as it is known locally
During the planning phase for this walk we had discussed whether to split the final day at Abriachan. However, the only way of doing that was to drop off route some 2.5 miles to catch a bus back to Drumnadrochit and thus be up against the clock of the limited bus timetable. Obviously this meant we would have to walk 2.5 miles uphill to regain the route the following day. After much consideration we decided that a 5 mile round trip was a waste of time and therefore plumped for doing the two legs as one. Read on to see if our decision was justified or not!
During the planning phase for this walk we had discussed whether to split the final day at Abriachan. However, the only way of doing that was to drop off route some 2.5 miles to catch a bus back to Drumnadrochit and thus be up against the clock of the limited bus timetable. Obviously this meant we would have to walk 2.5 miles uphill to regain the route the following day. After much consideration we decided that a 5 mile round trip was a waste of time and therefore plumped for doing the two legs as one. Read on to see if our decision was justified or not!
Exiting Drumnadrochit - lots of Nessie themed businesses here including "Nessieland"
The War Memorial in Drumnadrochit
For the ultimate Loch Ness experience apparently - myth, legend, tours etc - it's all here
From the last building in Drumnadrochit, the route hugs a pavement on the A82 for 1.3 miles to reach a farm track at Tychat just above Temple Pier. The road was relatively quiet at 0700 in the morning however I can imagine the traffic screaming past later on in the day would not be a pleasant experience.
The ruins of Urquhart Castle over Loch Ness
That's better - following the quiet farm track near Tychat
Above Tychat the route enters a forest of Caledonian Pine & Birch
The sun was up now and gave us some lovely early morning colours through the trees
Near the Historic Lumberjack Site is a box containing a Great Glen Way Questionnaire which we duly completed
The Historic Lumberjack Site
The Trailblazer Guide Book details this area as an "historic lumberjack site" but there is nothing in and around the area to suggest otherwise. Having done a bit of research post walk, apparently Canadian lumberjacks established a camp here during World War II to help with timber production for the war effort.
The Trailblazer Guide Book details this area as an "historic lumberjack site" but there is nothing in and around the area to suggest otherwise. Having done a bit of research post walk, apparently Canadian lumberjacks established a camp here during World War II to help with timber production for the war effort.
The route now continues along a wide forest track
The route dips in and out of the forest giving great views down the loch
Many people may consider forest tracks as a bit of a long old trudge however on a day like today it was great walking
The start of the Abriachan Forest Walks Trail
9km in and we were feeling pretty good
Approaching the buildings of the Abriachan Forest Trust & Community Woodland
Abriachan is a scattered rural community of about 130 people set high above the shores of Loch Ness. There are still some active crofts but the majority of inhabitants are employed in Inverness and beyond. The local school closed in 1958 therefore Abriachan’s children now attend Dochgarroch Primary, Charleston Academy and Glenurquhart High School. In 1998 the community purchased 540 hectares of forest and open hill ground from Forest Enterprise. Since then, as a social enterprise, the Abriachan Forest Trust has managed this land to create local employment, improve the environment and encourage its enjoyment by the public through a network of spectacular paths, family suited mountain bike trails, innovative outdoor learning as well as health and well-being opportunities.
Abriachan is a scattered rural community of about 130 people set high above the shores of Loch Ness. There are still some active crofts but the majority of inhabitants are employed in Inverness and beyond. The local school closed in 1958 therefore Abriachan’s children now attend Dochgarroch Primary, Charleston Academy and Glenurquhart High School. In 1998 the community purchased 540 hectares of forest and open hill ground from Forest Enterprise. Since then, as a social enterprise, the Abriachan Forest Trust has managed this land to create local employment, improve the environment and encourage its enjoyment by the public through a network of spectacular paths, family suited mountain bike trails, innovative outdoor learning as well as health and well-being opportunities.
Approximately 500 yards north of the Abriachan Forest Trust buildings the route reaches the road coming up from the A82 at Grid Reference NH 54141 35674. Should you wish to break your journey here and therefore split the final leg into two days, then simply turn right and walk the 2.5 miles down to the A82 and catch a bus.
Over the other side of the road, a path heads through the forest
Hello! What have we here? Ovaltine?
Open 365 dayz?? Is it a cafe in the middle of nowhere??
Just off path is the Abriachan Eco Cafe - the cafe is definitely an acquired taste
The access path to the Cafe wends its way past various wooden signs & buildings to reach the one above. The advice on the building is to come up to the fence and ring a bell, therefore we did just that. After enquiring whether we could have a pot of tea or a cold drink/piece of cake etc, we were informed very politely that there was only one package and that was a full lunch or nowt. We did not require a full lunch therefore after a lovely chat with the proprietor (through the fence) we made our way back to the path.
Exiting the forest, the route reaches a road by a "Goose Egg Honesty Box" where we turned left. We now had a 2.5 mile wander along delightful tarmac.
A mile or so along the road we got chatting to a local who was accompanied by this little chap
The Long & Winding Road..............
At last - after what seemed like an eternity of walking on tarmac we reached the turn off. The path runs parallel with the road for 2 miles and then heads into more Caledonian Pine forest.
This stone marks what was once the boundary of the Dochgarroch and Reelig estates and is one of several similar stones that run along the side of the path. The stone says "DOCHGARROCH" on this side, and "REELIG" on the other.
After waiting what seemed like an age to find a bench we utilised this one for our lunch stop just above Blackfold
A little further on from the bench we saw a sign for the first "Honesty Box" of the entire walk. Having just had lunch we gave it a miss - it is not far off route therefore easily accessed.
The route now follows a good path through more forest. This route was an old Drover's Road used to move cattle from Highland to market in Inverness.
The route passes an old Drover's Ruin
Our first sight of Inverness from above Leachkin
Beginning our descent into Inverness from near Dunain Hill
Reaching Leachkin, the route arrives at the former Craig Dunain Hospital
Now redeveloped as housing, this Category B listed building originally opened as the Inverness District Asylum in May 1864. Additional male and female hospital wards were completed in 1898, a large new recreation hall was added in 1927 and a new chapel added which was completed in 1963. After the introduction of "Care in the Community" in the early 1980s, the hospital went into a period of decline and closed in 2000. Although the main building was badly damaged in an arson attack in 2007, remedial work was carried out including replacement of one of the towers in spring 2019, to allow the building to be converted for residential use as "Great Glen Hall".
Now redeveloped as housing, this Category B listed building originally opened as the Inverness District Asylum in May 1864. Additional male and female hospital wards were completed in 1898, a large new recreation hall was added in 1927 and a new chapel added which was completed in 1963. After the introduction of "Care in the Community" in the early 1980s, the hospital went into a period of decline and closed in 2000. Although the main building was badly damaged in an arson attack in 2007, remedial work was carried out including replacement of one of the towers in spring 2019, to allow the building to be converted for residential use as "Great Glen Hall".
The Great Glen way continues through Leachkin to arrive once more at the Caledonian Canal. We would turn right here and begin our walk to the finish at Inverness Castle.
The Torvean Swing Bridge on the Caledonian Canal at Inverness
Whey hey - its a cafe, and its open
Enjoying a slab of cake and a nice cold drink at Cafe Botanics - and very nice it was too
Crossing the River Ness via the suspension bridge onto Ness Islands. There are another three bridges to cross before arriving at Inverness Castle.
The River Ness from the suspension bridge
The second bridge over the River Ness
I must admit that after 21 miles I was really looking forward to a nice cold beer at the finish
Nessie shows her face for the final time
Crossing the penultimate bridge - almost there now
The final, albeit small bridge over the River Ness
Another fine footbridge over the Ness near the Castle - we didn't have to cross this one though
The War Memorial at Inverness
With Duck at the finish at Inverness Castle
At the time of writing the finish line and the castle was undergoing a major transformation project. The official finish monolith would normally be located within the castle grounds however it has been moved and sits rather unceremoniously lying down in the grass just outside the main entrance. This is as far as we were allowed to go as understandably access to a construction site is strictly controlled.
At the time of writing the finish line and the castle was undergoing a major transformation project. The official finish monolith would normally be located within the castle grounds however it has been moved and sits rather unceremoniously lying down in the grass just outside the main entrance. This is as far as we were allowed to go as understandably access to a construction site is strictly controlled.
Inverness Castle
The temporary finish of the Great Glen Way at Inverness Castle - the official finish marker can be seen lying on the ground to the right.
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
Day 6 Data
|
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
21.7 miles
83.3 miles 7hrs 45mins 1803ft (550m) |