📌 Loch Ness, Highland
★★★
The scattered rural community of Abriachan occupies a minor hanging valley above the west bank of Loch Ness, and it’s home to something pretty amazing. The Abriachan Forest Trust – a local community enterprise – has developed a very extensive network of trails, outdoor activities and structures including treehouses, Bronze Age hut and hillside shieling; we were very impressed indeed, and we’re sure it will charm children and adults alike. Paths also climb to the top of the local hill – Carn na Leitire – for panoramic views across the Great Glen region. The series of reconstructed buildings ends after a steep detour to a reconstructed “illicit” whisky still, before the excitement level is dialled down a notch (or ten) for the rather monotonous return along forest tracks.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Abriachan Trust, minor road 0.5 mi west of Abriachan
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 540353
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.385056,-4.429788
🚌 Bus stops at Clansman Hotel on A82 (1 mi from reconstructed whisky still on east side of route, via uphill link path)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 260 m | ⌛ 3 hr
Features: 🏚️ Abriachan Forest Trust various sculptures / buildings; 💧 Loch Laide; △ Carn na Leitire (434 m)
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths (with steepish ascent to summit) and lengthy track return. Some complicated route finding due to density of path network – map advised.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit with detours to various attractions: start & playground – pond – miniature treehouse – Loch Laide hide – large treehouse – Bronze Age hut – Carn na Leitire – shieling – whisky still – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Little grebes on Loch Laide, small birds in the woods.
Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells, moderate wind on the summit, temperature in mid teens.
July 2020
