Out & About
Things to see and do in Fort Augustus and the surrounding area
Fort Augustus is the ideal base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. Lorien House is right in the centre of this pretty village, with its numerous shops, bars and restaurants a mere two minute walk away.
The famous Caledonian Canal
Is on our doorstep. Built in 1803 by Thomas Telford, it has five locks and boats take around 1 hour to pass through. Why not visit the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre and find out more about the history of this great canal.
Take a cruise on Loch Ness aboard the Royal Scot
Departing every hour throughout the season, the boat has sonar screens so that you can monitor Nessie’s movements!
Walking and climbing
There are Canal and Forest/river walks around Fort Augustus and we are right on the Great Glen Way, a 73 mile long distance trail from Fort William to Inverness. Fort Augustus is the mid-point on this footpath. For the ‘munro-baggers’ amongst you, 50% of Scotland’s munros are accessible within an hour’s drive of Lorien House.
Golfing, cycling, fishing and shooting
Fort Augustus has its own nine hole golf course and visitors are most welcome.
Cycle hire is available in the village for half or full days.
Fishing is allowed on the canal and on the shores of Loch Ness, however permits are required if fishing on the River Oich and if fishing for salmon on any waters. Private charter boat trips on Loch Ness or Loch Oich are also available.
Deer stalking parties are welcome and details of local estates & shoots can be provided upon request.
Around Loch Ness
Take the scenic and peaceful B862 road on the south east side of Loch Ness, which in part follows General Wades Military Road, with its superb views over the Loch and the Monadhliath Mountains. Visit the pretty waterfalls at Foyers and look out for the rare native red squirrel, pine martens and deer.
Travelling up the A82 on the north west side of Loch Ness, you will come to the infamous Urquhart Castle. With its bloody history and commanding position on Loch Ness, a visit to Urquhart Castle is a must.
Glen Affric, Glen Cannich & Strathglass
A short drive west of Drumnadrochit is the newly designated National Nature Reserve of Glen Affric. This is a beautiful, peaceful area with ancient Caledonian pine forests, secluded lochs, remote mountains, waterfalls and sightings of golden eagles. It is a great spot to either relax and get away from it all or go mountain biking, hill walking, trekking or fishing,
To the West Coast
Sample the breathtaking scenery of the west coast of Scotland, only an hours drive from Fort Augustus. Visting on the way Glen Sheil with the dramatic backdrop of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range, then onto Eilean Donan castle with its spectacular situation on the shores of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan Castle was the setting for the famous Highlander films. Carry on for another few miles and you arrive at the Skye bridge (now toll free). It is worth allowing extra time to explore some of this beautiful island.
Before the Skye bridge and just five miles north, is the pretty fishing village of Plockton. With its unique palm trees and peaceful location, it is definitely worth a visit.
East of Fort Augustus
Just one hour from the village and you are into the Spey valley, famous for its whisky, salmon fishing, the Cairngorm National Park and recently the BBC drama Monarch of the Glen.
Take a trip to Aviemore, with its steam railway and home of Scotland’s largest ski area. Cairngorm mountain has a spectacular funicular railway which whisks you up to almost 1,100 metres in only eight minutes. Here you can enjoy the spectacular views in the restaurant and in winter go skiing or snow boarding.
Inverness & North
34 miles north of Fort Augustus is the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. The city has loads to offer, from great shopping, bars and restaurants, to the castle and such historic sites as the Culloden Battlefield.
Over the Kessock Bridge, north of Inverness and you’re on the Black Isle. Not actually an island but a peninsula sandwiched between the Moray and Cromarty Firths. Here, the landscape is more gentle, with its sleepy coastal villages and rolling countryside. Why not visit the Moray Firth Dolphin & Seal Centre just over the bridge and keep your eyes open for the rare red kites which nest in the area.
Call in to the fantastic organic real ale brewery see how it’s made and sample some of their award winning ales. Just east of Fortrose is Chanonry point, the best place to see dolphins from land in Europe. Heading further up the coast you’ll reach the lovely village of Cromarty. Here you can take a boat trip to view the dolphins up close and personal!
Finally, there is a great wildlife and country park on the Black Isle where you can feed the friendly goats and pot-bellied pigs!
South of Fort Augustus
Head south down the Great Glen and you’re into some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland, going past Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Just after the South Laggan swing bridge is Monster Activities, where you can try your hand at white water rafting, sailing, canoeing, riding the banana and the jet bikes! A further ten minutes away, approaching Spean Bridge, you’ll see the imposing Commando Memorial. This statue was erected in memory of the Officers and men of the Commandos who died in the Second World War. The site is also a superb viewpoint for Ben Nevis and it’s neighbouring mountains.
Further south and only thirty minutes from Fort Augustus is the Nevis Range gondola and ski centre. Take the gondola 2,150 feet up the mountain to the Snowgoose restaurant and enjoy the spectacular views of the west coast and up the Great Glen. In summer, the more adventurous can cycle the world cup downhill mountain bike course. In winter, the Nevis range is a great place to ski or snow board (snow permitting!)
Fort William and Glen Nevis is the base to climb Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (4,406 feet). Fort William has recently been christened the Outdoor Capital of the UK. This busy little town has plenty of shops and restaurants and is beautifully situated on the shores of Loch Linnhe.
Take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig. Regarded as one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, and famous as being the ‘Hogwarts Express’ in the Harry Potter films, it is well worth a day out of your schedule.
South, beyond Fort William, you’re into the scenic splendour of Glencoe. With the its dramatic peaks soaring to the skies, it is an awe inspiring place to spend time doing gentle valley walks or for the more experienced, tackling some of its munros.
- Lorien House
- Station Road
- Fort Augustus
- Inverness-Shire
- PH32 4AY
- Tel: +44 (0) 1320 366736
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