Out & About

Things to see and do in Fort Augustus and the surrounding area

Lorien House is the ideal base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. Based right in the centre of the pretty little village of Fort Augustus, and is within easy reach for day trips to Fort William, Oban, Isle of Skye and the stunning Glencoe.

 
The Caledonian Canal
Running right through the centre of the village is the Caledonian Canal. Built in 1803 by Thomas Telford, it has five locks and boats take around 1 hour to pass through. To find out more about the canal you can visit the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre.  Watching the boats pass through is an ideal way to spend the afternoon, after a long drive to Fort Augustus, along which are a few bars so take your drinks out and enjoy the view.

Cruise Loch Ness & Nessie Spotting
There are 2 ways to cruise the loch. For a more relaxed outing is the Royal Scot with hi-tech sonar systems to see what really lies beneath along with a well-stocked bar. For the more adventurous is the RIB - a fast exhilarating rigid inflatable boat, that can access loch-side areas otherwise inaccessible to the larger cruisers.
If a cruise insn't for you, don't worry, Lorien House is only a 5 min walk to the shores of Loch Ness where if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness Monster - Nessie!

 
Around Loch Ness
An alternative route round Loch Ness on the south side, is a very scenic drive along the peaceful B862, following in part General Wades Military Road, with superb views over Loch Ness, passing the picturesque Loch Tarff and the Monadhliath Mountains. Be sure to bring your camera for the stunning views along this valley.

 
Urquhart Castle
A short drive up the A82 towards Inverness will get you to one of Scotlands most famous castles. With a very bloody history and a commanding position on the Loch, a visit to Urquhart Castle is a must while in the area. Another one of Scotlands famous castles and probably the most photographed is Eilean Donan castle, on the way out to the Isle of Skye.

 
Walking and climbing
There are canal/river and forest walks around Fort Augustus, and being right on the Great Glen Way we are ideally located for walking, cycling and kayaking. For those looking for something a bit more we are only an hours drive from Ben Nevis and 50% of Scotland's Munros

Golfing & Fishing
Fort Augustus has its own nine hole golf course and visitors are most welcome. The course is 5379 yards long with a par of 68.

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.


In the nearby town of Drumnadrochit, there are 2 Loch Ness visitor centres, detailing sightings of Nessie going back hundreds of years right up to the present day. You may get some tips on the best place to spot her! There’s also a pony trekking centre offering short one hour, or longer treks.

Glen Affric, Glen Cannich & Strathglass
A short drive west of Drumnadrochit is the newly designated National Nature Reserve of Glen Affric.  With a very strange and majestic feel to it, 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.  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 setting for 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 Highland capital of 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. 



Loch Tarff, just out of Fort Augustus try some Nessie spotting Urqhuart Castle, Loch Ness Glen Affric Glen Sheil, on the way to Skye Eilean Donan Castle Skye Bridge at sunset winter in the Nevis Range winter skiing on Nevis Range Dolphin on the Moray Firth Nevis Range Gondola Jacobite Steam train on Glenfinnan Viaduct