Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

152  SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS  153

x The Great Glen VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Following the path of a geological fault, the Great Glen Practical Information
forms a scenic route from Inverness on the east coast to Fort Highland. n Castle Wynd,
William on the west. The glacial rift valley was created when Inverness (01463) 252401.
∑ visitscotland.com
the landmass split and moved 400 million years ago. A The Loch Ness Centre and Exhi­
series of four lochs includes the famous Loch Ness, home of bition: Tel (01456) 450573. Open
the elusive monster. The Caledonian Canal, built by Thomas daily. & 7 ∑ lochness.com
Telford, provides a link between the lochs, and has been a Urquhart Castle: Tel (01456)
450551. Open daily. & - =
shipping channel as well as a popular tourist route since Strathpeffer ∑ historicenvironment.scot
1822. Hiring a boat or taking a leisurely drive are ideal ways
to view the Glen. The Great Glen

Steall Waterfall Inverness
Located at the foot of the magnificent
Ben Nevis, this impressive waterfall
tumbles down into a valley of wild
flowers. The walk takes 45 minutes and
passes through a dramatic gorge. It’s the
perfect place to picnic. Loch
Mullardoch DrumnadrochitDrumnadrochit
Loch Ness N N
E E River Findhorn
Invermoriston L L
G G Aviemore . Loch Ness

Fort Augustus Scotland’s most famous loch, the 37 km
(23 miles) of Loch Ness provide a beau tiful
Kinlochourn Loch Loch T T route through the Glen. Urquhart Castle rises
OichOich
Loch InvergarryInvergarry A A Kingussie imposingly over the water.
Quoich E E
South Laggan
South Laggan
KEY R R Laggan Bridge The Loch Ness Monster
Loch Lochy
Loch
1 Ben Nevis (see p139) is Britain’s Arkaig Loch Lochy G G
highest mountain at 1,345 m
(4,411 ft), but its broad, indefinable Loch Laggan
shape belies its immense size. Lochailort Spean Spean
Bridge
2 Loch Lochy, Lochy is one of the Fort Bridge
four beautiful lochs of the Great Glen, William Key
formed by a fissure in the earth and Ben Loch Ericht Main route through
erosion by glaciers. There are caves Loch Shiel Nevis the Glen
nearby where Bonnie Prince Charlie Major road
is said to have hidden after the Battle Minor road First sighted by St Columba in
of Culloden. Corran the 6th century, “Nessie” has
Black Black
3 Spean Bridge is home to a Ardgour WaterWater attracted attention since
Woollen Mill selling traditional Strontian Onich Glencoe photographs – later revealed to
knitwear and tweeds. Close to the Ballachulish be faked – were taken in the
village is the impressive Memorial to 1930s. Though serious
all the Commandos who lost their Loch Linnhe Duror investigation is often under­
lives in World War II. The surrounding mined by hoaxers, sonar
rugged terrain was their training . Caledonian Canal techniques continue to yield
ground. This splendid canal enigmatic results: ple siosaurs,
Port Appin provides a base
4 Fort Augustus is a pretty village from which to view giant eels and too much whisky
situated at the southwestern end of the Glen’s beautiful are the most popular
Loch Ness. The base for boat cruises surroundings. explanations. The Loch Ness
around the loch, it is also the site of a From Inverness, the Centre, at Drumnadrochit,
Benedictine Abbey. canal travels via Fort presents the photographic
evidence and a wide variety of
5 Falls of Foyers nestle among the Augus tus to the eight scientific explanations proffered
trees above Loch Ness; a winding 0 kilometres 10 locks at Neptune’s over the years.
path yields spectacular views. 0 miles 10 Staircase – a feat of
engineering.
For hotels and restaurants see pp176–7 and pp187–9 For additional map symbols see back flap
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