Drumnadrochit, Divach Falls, Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

From Drumnadrochit the walk climbs by road, paths, and woodland tracks to Balmacaan Forest, which in the mid-19th century was the biggest of the Scottish deer breeding forests (and the biggest in Europe), requiring an entire village to be moved. The forest features a great variety of trees including giant firs, Wellingtonias, walnuts, cypresses, and noble firs.

The forest road takes you into Glen Coiltie past a strange slatted wood building (the deer laager where animals were skinned and hung). An ancient stone bridge and steep lane lead to the Falls of Divach, where water flows like gossamer down a near-vertical rock face surrounded by stunted oaks with moss-covered trunks and branches draped in lichens and polypody ferns. Passing Divach Lodge (Edwardian villa retreat of J.M. Barrie) and walking down the main street of Lewiston with its long white cottages and multi-colored woodwork, the route continues down to Loch Ness.

Continuing down to Loch Ness, the walk arrives at Urquhart Castle — a dramatic sight from the road above. From inside the castle (especially the tower house), clear views up and down Loch Ness command the Great Glen route linking the North Sea coast with the Atlantic and the domain of the Lord of the Isles.

From Urquhart Castle the walk returns to the start by a gentle meander alongside the A82 (please take care when walking beside traffic).

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.