Loch Ness
On paper a trip to the highlands in Scotland in wintertime sounded like a good idea.
And on arrival in proofed to be so because the lightning in wintertime is bewitching.
Let’s be clear. It was cold! But we just loved the tranquillity.
From Edinburgh we left for Glencoe and ended up at Fort Augustus because you can’t go to the highlands and not visit Loch Ness.
At 22 sq. mile, Loch Ness is the second-largest Scottish loch by surface area after Loch Lomond.
Because of its great depth, it is the largest by volume in the British Isles. Its deepest point is 230 metres, making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar.
More facts…
Loch Ness contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined and is the largest body of water in the Great Glen, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south.
This beautiful loch is also shrouded in mystery.
Tales of Nessie, living deep beneath the dark expanses of Loch Ness have circulated the world since the first photograph emerged in 1933.
Walking
Even though it was pretty cold, we did go for a walk.
There are many short walks around Inverness if you fancy exploring the northern tip of Loch Ness.
We stayed in the south in Fort Augustus and went for a walk along the River Oich. We followed the beautiful River Oich Trail through towering Norway spruce, larch and Scots pine.
If you are up for a climb, then follow the Allt na Crìche Trail north from Fort Augustus. Explore Allt na Crìche for stunning views overlooking Loch Ness.
For truly breath-taking views, branch steeply off the Allt na Crìche Trail to join the high route of the Great Glen Way.
Great Glen Way
The Great Glen Way is one of Scotland’s Great Trails.
This magnificent 79 mile/127 km waymarked route stretches from Fort William to Inverness.
Starting (or ending) in Fort William in the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, the route follows the country’s greatest geological fault and follows sections of Thomas Telford’s historic Caledonian Canal before reaching Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
Don’t miss the brand-new Loch Ness 360 Trail, an epic walking, cycling, running and outdoor activity trail looping the entire circumference of Loch Ness.
