2 Bedroom The Great Glen, Lochaber & Loch Ness cottages

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Lochaber, on the west coast of Scotland, is a huge scenic area, with Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, at its heart.

The Great Glen is an area in the Scottish Highlands which follows the landfall course of an extensive geological feature known as the Great Glen Fault. The Great Glen is actually a series of glens, which run for over 100 miles between Fort William and Inverness, bisecting the Highlands into the Grampian Mountains at one end and the Northwest Highlands at the other.

Loch Ness is a huge, deep expanse of freshwater, 23 miles in length and famous the world over for alleged sightings of a crypto-zoological aquatic beast, the ‘Loch Ness Monster’, which is more affectionately known as ‘Nessie’. Although Loch Ness has a smaller surface area than Loch Lomond, its great depth makes it the largest Scottish loch in terms of volume.

Things to do in Lochaber, Loch Ness and the Great Glen
The Great Glen Way is a 79 mile, long-distance route that has been developed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, connecting a series of local footpaths, canal towpaths and forestry tracks across the Highland countryside; where necessary, the route is linked by brief stretches of road, but the majority of the distance can be negotiated on unadopted country tracks.

More uniquely for a long-distance path, it is possible to travel the route by boat, canoe or kayak along the Great Glen, using a combination of the lochs and the Caledonian Canal:  this varied waterway crosses Scotland from sea-to-sea and is a popular route for both day-trippers and more committed explorers. A slightly shorter stretch of the Great Glen Way is also accessible by users of mobility scooters.

As with elsewhere in Scotland, golf is a key leisure pursuit, with numerous fine courses available to visitors across the region.

Top Destinations

Dingwall – A lovely market town, sitting at the head of the Cromarty Firth, Dingwall was once an east-coast port, but now lies inland. Tulloch Castle sits just outside the town, and is now used as a hotel, while little remains of the nearby Dingwall Castle. A heritage trail leads visitors to points of interest around the town.

Strathpeffer – A former Victorian spa town lying in a glen just to the west of Dingwall, Strathpeffer was of strategic importance in Highland history, and the scene of a number of notable battles. In more modern times it has become a popular base for Highland touring, with a good range of shops, as well as wonderful walks, and a particularly scenic golf course, which claims to have the largest drop between tee and green of any course in Britain.

Elgin – Scotland’s smallest city is situated in Moray, just 36 miles from Inverness, and in the heart of whisky manufacturing country. Elgin Cathedral has presented a dramatic ruin on the landscape for hundreds of years, and is known locally as ‘the lantern of the North’.

Invergarry – This pretty village is perched close to where the River Garry flows into Loch Oich, with numerous areas of beautiful woodland and opportunities for walks, as well as being a popular location for the activities of fly fishermen. Each year, the Invergarry Highland Games takes place just to the west of the village.

Fort William – With its proximity to Ben Nevis and the other Munros (the highest of Scottish mountains), and its position on the ‘Road to the Isles’, this large Highland town likes to promote itself as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. It is certainly well-placed between the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, and is an important regional centre for both hill-walking and climbing.

The Caledonian Canal – Britain’s longest inland waterway utilises four freshwater lochs and a series of man-made canals and lock systems to create an amazing route across the country from east to west.

Inverness – The capital of the Scottish Highlands, and the northern most city in the UK, Inverness is also one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. Positioned at the mouth of the River Ness and at the south western tip of the Moray Firth, it is also an important centre for bagpiping, with the city hosting an annual competition. The striking red sandstone structures of Inverness Castle sit on a cliff overlooking the city; although the castle itself houses a Sheriffs Court, the surrounding grounds are open to the public. The twin-towered Inverness Cathedral is a similarly dramatic structure, which is located on the banks of the River Ness.

Nairn – A market town and seaside resort, Nairn boasts two golf courses. The town stretches from a harbour built by Thomas Telford, through narrow streets of fisherman’s homes and cottages, into the ‘West End’ area of well-spaced Victorian villas.