Tour
Inverness and Loch Ness
Highland
hills rich in plants and wildlife are a backdrop to the
Moray Firth and the sand-and-shingle beaches of the coast.
Inverness, 'capital' of the Highlands, stands at the entrance
of the man-made Caledonian Canal, which connects Scotland's
east and west coasts. On its way, the canal passes through
Loch Ness, home of the famous but officially unverified
monster.
Avoch
Cottages
clustered around small harbour have their gable ends facing
the sea so fishing boats can be drawn up between them during
rough weather. Easy walk along farm lanes south of village
on north side of Munlochy Bay provides views of bay and
surrounding mountains.
Beauly
Main
street of town dominated by 1905 Boer War memorial and remains
of 13th-century Beauly Priory, which contains 16th-century
monument to Sir Kenneth Mackenzie. Nearby mud flats home
to waders and wildfowl. Walk through Reelig Glen, 3 miles
east of Beauly.
Cawdor
Cawdor
Castle has turreted 14th-century tower with 17th-century
additions and still serves as home to Earls of Cawdor. Drawing
room has 17th-century fireplace and portrait of Emma Hamilton,
Nelson's mistress. Tapestry Bedroom has Venetian bed and
17th-century tapestries portraying Bib-lical scenes. Three
differently styled gardens, nature trails. Castle is scene
of King Duncan's murder in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Licensed
self-service restaurant.
Clachnaharry
Sea
lock built here for Caledonian Canal because North Sea runs
out long way at low tide; one of great engineering achievements
of the canal-building age. Canal opened in 1822.
Clava
Cairns
Cairns
dating from late Stone Age surrounded by standing stone
circles and hidden by trees. Origi-nally contained domed
burial chambers with passage entrances.
Cobb
Memorial
Cairn
commemorates John Cobb. British racing and motorboat driver
who lost his life in 1952 attempting to better world water
speed record on Loch Ness. His jet-propelled craft, travelling
over 200 mph, disintegrated.
Cononbridge
and Maryburgh
Two
villages joined by bridge at head of Cromarty Birth, built
by Thomas Telford in 1809. Walks upstream along river bank.
Craig
Phadrig
Remains
of vitrified Iron Age fort --said to have been stronghold
of Pictish King Buds -- stand atop 556ft hill. Wide views
of Moray and Beauly firths, and mountains to west. Varied
walks through open woodland.
Creag
Far-leitire
Small
ridge rises from woods of pine and birch, and carpets of
heather. Old pine trees, well spaced out, as well as denser,
younger woods. Views of Inshriach Forest plantations and
Spey Valley from summit.
Culloden
Muir/Moor
Site
of last battle fought on Scottish soil -- Bonnie Prince
Charlie defeated by Duke of Cumberland in 1746. Battlefield
restored to 1746 appearance. Visitor centre has audiovisual
display of battle. Farmhouse has museum contain-ing historical
maps and relics.
Dingwall
Town's
oldest building, a former schoolhouse, dates from 1650.
Town House, mostly 18th century with older tower, has a
museum. Good bird watching possible from harbour's foreshore.
Divach
Falls
Walk
to falls from Lewiston passes old slatted wooden deer leaps.
Cataract cascades 100ft down rocky valley of birch and oak.
Dochfour
Gardens
Terraced
gardens stand in 15 acres by Loch Dochfour. Daffodils, trees
and rhododendrons; water garden and yew topiary. Kitchen
garden with soft fruit in season.
Drumnadrochit
Small
stone village dominated by Loch Ness Monster trade. Exhibition
centre tells of monster sightings and reveals ingenuity
of searchers. Visitor centre features film on monster history
and myth. Sonar scanning cruises.
Farigaig
Forest Centre
Converted
stone stable houses Forestry Commission Interpretive Centre,
demonstrating forest
wildlife conservation practices. Walks, picnic areas, car
parks.
Feshiebridge
Four-house
hamlet stands by bridge over River Feshie rapids. These
rapids turn quickly to birch surrounded poois as water makes
its way through Glen Feshie.
Fort
George
One
of finest artillery fortifications in Europe, completed
1769. Regimental museum of Queen's Own Highlanders has military
items covering period from 1778 to present day.
Fortrose
Cathedral,
probably destroyed by Cromwell, retains some vaulting. Hill
of Fortrose provides views
over town and Chanonry Point.
Foyers
Foyers
Falls on eastern shore of Loch Ness. Best places to view
falls are from vantage points along path through trees.
Highland
Wildlife Park
Royal
Zoological Society of Scot-land park; wildlife includes
European bison, mouflon red deer and birds.
Inverness
Highland
'capital' on River Ness. Castle Wynd Museum has bagpipes,
various Jacobite relics. Abertarff House in Church Street
built in 1693. St Andrew's Cathedral built l866.
Insh
Church
Tiny
white-painted church dating from 18th century has 8th-century
bronze hand bell inside.
Kilravock
Castle
Grounds
of 15th-century castle contain tree garden with some varieties
unique to Britain. Nature trails, guided castle tours.
Loch
Moy
Remains
of 14th-century Castle of Moy and obelisk honouring 19th-century
Mackintosh chief stand on one of loch's islands.
Loch
nan Lann
Loch
reached by path at foot of Beinn a' Bhacaidh. Stepping stones
leading from this loch descend deep gorge to boathouse 600ft
below on Loch Ness.
Loch
Ness
Possibly
Scotland's most famous stretch of water, renowned for perennial
tourist attraction, the Loch Ness Monster. Loch is 24 miles
long, about a mile across, and up to 754ft deep. Road from
Urquhart Castle to Invermoriston runs alongside wooded slopes
of loch; plenty of viewpoints.
Nairn
Town
granted royal charter in 12th century. Laing Hall in King
Street houses the Fishertown Museum, which has exhibits
on domestic life of town, model boats and collection of
photographs and articles on fishing industry. Ornamental
gardens just off High Street, and walks along River Nairn.
Sandy beaches popular in summer, provide nickname, the 'Brighton
of the North'.
Nairn
Viaduct
Viaduct,
600yds long and 130ft above ground at maximum height, built
in 1898 for Highland Railway's route between Aviemore and
Inverness through Nairn Valley. Each of the 28 arches has
span of 50ft. Arch over river has span of 100ft.
North
Kessock
Iron
Age fort tops Ord Hill, over-shadowing village of small
houses along mud-and-shingle shore. Kessock Bridge replaced
ferry route across Beauly Firth. Sea trout angling, bird
life along fore-shore of firth. Walks through forest along
slopes of Ord Hill allow views of firth.
Rock
Wood Ponds
Trail
from car park at edge of loch follows 2 mile circular route
along deer paths and through open country, providing views
of area's many tiny lochs. Bird life includes chaffinches,
goldcrests, crossbills and others.
Rogie
Falls
Named
after Norse for 'splashing, foaming river'. Leaping salmon
can sometimes be seen from sus-pension bridge.
Rosemarkie
Sandstone
cliffs dotted with caves face the sea and overlook red-sandstone
cottages. Groam House is small museum containing Pictish
stone. Footpath starting on road to Cromarty, just north
of village, leads along Fairy Glen to two waterfalls. Ledges
allow visitors behind falls.
Strathpeffer
Village,
once Victorian health resort with sulphur springs, now famous
for doll museum housed in remains of baths complex. Dolls,
teddy bears, games and toys spanning 150 years on display,
as well as other features of Victorian nursery such as baby
clothes, lace and cradles.
Urquhart
Castle
Jutting
out on strategic point into Loch Ness, part of this large
of ten-rebuilt castle ruin dates from Norman times. Blown
up in 1692 to prevent Jacobite occupation.
Whitebridge
Humpback
bridge, no longer used, built over River Fechlln by General
Wade in 1732 to move forces against rebellious Jacobites.
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